NHL Latest: Brent Burns and 2nd Round pick 2012 traded to San Jose for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and 1st round pick (28th overall) Zach Phillips

I have, in the past, criticized Doug Wilson of not addressing the Sharks' defensive issues over the last few seasons. He has now partly fixed those problems with a blockbuster trade on draft day with the Minnesota Wild. The official deal is Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and San Jose's 2011 first round draft pick for Brent Burns and Minnesota's 2012 second round pick.
I like the deal a lot. Wilson has added a great young defensemen to a d-core that was begging for relief. Burns brings a physical game to a very timid Sharks' lineup, coupled with his immense offensive skills that saw him net 15 and 17 goals in his first two NHL seasons and some amazing shootout goals. Not only does he like to throw his weight around, he is not afraid to drop the gloves for a teammate. Also, this is Burns first opportunity on a Cup contending team, hopefully adding to his noticeable intensity on the ice. Finally, Burns is a young (26) player that has been coached by Todd Mclellan in the AHL.
The only issue I have with this deal is the loss of Charlie Coyle, the brilliant 18 year old center play for BU. The deal would have been perfect if Wilson offered any other prospect in the Sharks' system besides Coyle, maybe lower Minnesota's offering draft pick to a third or fourth round pick. I have grown a strong liking to Coyle and was very excited for his time to join the Sharks' lineup. Although they lost a great young player, I still believe the Sharks are a better team after this deal.
Free Agency is very interesting now with this deal, making it no longer necessary to pursue Kevin Bieksa. Now they may be interested in a large, veteran defensemen to mentor and bolt down the now, young Sharks defensive core. The question them comes if San Jose needs to sign Ian White, with Burns now on the team and a Hall Gill player being possibly pursued. Also, the Sharks need to replace Devin Setoguchi. Although not in the Sharks' tops six forwards, he was a 25-30 goal scorer and even had a spot on the first line. Solutions might be, 1. signing Simon Gagne, an aging 30 goal scorer, or trades for 2. James Neal of the Pittsburg Penguins or 3. Alex Burrows of Vancouver Canucks. Neal is on the trading block due to the fact that his tenure in Pittsburg was an absolute failure and the one year remaining on his contract. He will come at quite the price of prospects and draft picks that the Penguins will want in return. Neal is 23 year old, potential 30 goal scorer who still has his best days ahead of him. Alex Burrows is not necessarily on the trading block, but would be a great addition to the Sharks. Like, Neal he would take quality draft picks and prospects, but could easily fill the void of Setoguchi.
The Sharks have 8 million in cap room after the deal, so cap will not be an issue in the offseason. The resigning of the current sharks player should be around 3 million, depending if they sign Ian White, which I say they shouldn't. Although I like White very much, there isn't any space for him in a core that has just added Brent Burns and possibly Hal Gill. Leaving about 5 million to sign Hal Gill which should be less that 1.5 million, and to trade for either Neal or Burrows whose cap hits are both under 3 million.
Lots of options for San Jose now, going to be interesting to see which route they take.