The Columbus Blue Jackets finally swung a trade but it wasn’t what most expected, sending popular long-time enforcer Jody Shelley to the San Jose Sharks for a sixth round pick in 2009.
Shelley is a six-year NHL veteran and until January 29th played his entire NHL career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he became a fan favorite for his pugilistic ways.
But Shelley struggled to adjust to the Blue Jackets new up-tempo style and was frequently a healthy scratch this season.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson acquired Shelley to provide some added toughness after winger Ryan Clowe was recently injured. Wilson also admitted he attempted to acquire Shelley earlier this season but he only became available recently.
Meanwhile, two other enforcers recently re-signed with their current teams.
Over the weekend the Washington Capitals announced the re-signing of forward Donald Brashear to a one-year, $1.2 million extension, and on Tuesday the Los Angeles Kings re-signed Raitis Ivanans to a two-year extension.
The role of enforcers has been downplayed in recent years since the “new” NHL debuted after the 2005 lockout but these recent moves suggest those like Shelley, Brashear and Ivanans still have value to NHL teams.
This trade made absolutely NO sense... the Sharks acquire the public enemy #2 (Belfour being #1) of all-time for fans. After Shelley tried to end the career of former-fin Brad Stuart by "doing the Bertuzzi" THREE TIMES to him -- oh but because he didn't break his neck, it's only a two-game suspension... it's okay though because Stuart "only" had PCS for nine months... -- it's a disgrace to have this guy in the Sharks organization.
If the Sharks need an enforcer, why did they trade away Scott Parker -- who the Sharks ironically acquired to take out Shelley? If the Sharks need an enforcer, why don't they dress Rob Davison? Instead, Jody Shelley gets a sweater despite the fact that he can't skate, he can't shoot, he can't pass, and he has no hockey sense whatsoever.
The only person in San Jose who must be thrilled about this trade is defenseman Alexei Semenov, because now Sharks fans will have someone to hate more than him...
The move was inevitable in Columbus as Boll has essentially replaced Shelley in the enforcer role, along with Tollefson.
While not a great pickup in terms of on ice ability for SJ, they do pick up a team oriented guy who will add to the leadership in the locker room.
I have to agree with you Saint, I have no idea what Doug Wilson was thinking. He values his draft picks so much, you wonder if he got Shelley as part of a bigger deal coming up between now and the deadline. Let's only hope he doesn't become a negative to the team. After all, I am still scratching my head when Doug Wilson siad "he adds sandpaper" to the team. Yikes.
What a great pickup. Shelley will pay off in spad3s come playoff time, not during the regular season. We need him to pull what Raffi Torres did to Milan Michalek a few years ago in the playoffs, which threw the entire team off kilter of which they never recovered. It'd be worth getting a suspension or two come playoff time just to show that the Sharks are not going to be pushed around this time.
For example, Holmstrom needs to be cross-checked to the emergency room, since he interferes with goalies all the time and never gets called for it. Put Shelley in, butt-end Holmstrom's spleen, sending him to the ER, end of story.
And someone else whining about hating other players...once they're on your team, who cares. The fans are the only ones with long memories. When you play, you could care less what the other guy did to you or your teammate (unless he pulled an Aristocrats on your family). Suit up, shut up and play.
Last edited by ChumAllOverMyFace on January 31st at 1:35 PM.
What about Douglas Murray, He came into this league with that enforcer attitude, and did quite well at it, but its as though the coaching staff has put a leash on him. Shelly will help, but with Clowe, davison, and Murray, I think S.J. should of saved the draft pick, or used it somewhere else...
I wouldn't worry too much about how many minutes Shelley gets during the postseason. Here's a hint, it rhymes with "hero." The enforcer merry-go-round is more for the fans' benefit than anything else. It always gives the home crowd a bit of a charge when one of the higher-tiered tough guys is acquired, and that wears off as quickly as new car smell. Then it's off to a new destination when the act wears thin. Brashear can be the exception, as he has some actual offensive talents, but as it relates to real playoff implications, they just aren't there. I must admit I am surprised that some of the old-school enforcers are still in this league, but I think that will change over time as some of the old guard heads out to pasture. The new NHL needs guys who can do more than cheapshot and toss a haymaker.
He was brought in to deal with one particular problem spelled P-A-R-R-O-S. The Sharks don't have anyone to neutralize him (Davison was game in trying, but he's just not big enough) and they get their butts kicked physically by the Ducks every time they play, even though the scores have been close. Clowe is too good of a player to serve in that role on a regular basis (he was on the first line at times last year), though he'll keep most people honest. It would not be pretty if he broke his hand in a fight......
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
