The San Jose Sharks just gave up the equivalent of three first-round picks to the Minnesota Wild during the 2011 NHL Draft. Devin Setoguchi, who just inked a three-year extension with the team for $9 million, was sent over along with Charlie Coyle and their 2011 first-round pick to the Wild in exchange for defenseman Brent Burns and a Minnesota second-round pick.
Setoguchi was a first-round pick back in 2007 and has been a solid contributor for the Sharks offense, especially during this past season's playoff run. Coyle was the team's first-round selection (at 28th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft, and was the team's best forward prospect. At face value, it seems like a lot to give up for one player, especially a player with one year left on his contract. It's an aggressive approach to improve an area of the team that has suffered for some time, and while losing Setoguchi hurts the team (and the fanbase), something had to be done if they're to make it past the Western Conference Finals.
Burns, to his credit, is a highly-gifted defenseman. He's also not a liability on offense, and had 46 points for the Wild during the 2010-2011 season. There will be more on Burns in this stream shortly, but don't forget to head over to Fear The Fin, our San Jose Sharks blog, and their live draft thread to discuss.