San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson recently suggested he wouldn't get into the UFA market to find a replacement for Brian Campbell, but changed his mind to sign former LA Kings defenseman Rob Blake to a one-year, $5 million contract

Blake had been oft-lined to the Sharks in trade rumors over the past two years but with Campbell gone and the depth in quality blueliners in the UFA market fast shrinking Wilson went with an established veteran on the downside of his career.

The length of the deal is one Sharks fans won't have a problem with but $5 million is quite steep for a former Norris contending defenseman whose been a shadow of his former greatness in recent years.

Part of that is attributable to playing for a Kings team struggling to rebuild and perhaps on a more stable roster Blake might be capable of a bounce-back season.

It's a gamble on Wilson's part but one he had to make in the short term.