Sharks' Brad Stuart has no-trade clause

Brad Stuart signed a three-year contract for $3.6 million a year this summer with the San Jose Sharks. It seemed a little odd for him to sign a contract that's seen as a bargain around the league, even if he is coming home.

But it turns out that Stuart has a full no-trade clause for the first year of his deal and a very limited no-trade clause in his second and third seasons, according to CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz.

This explains Stuart's willingness to sign at a discount. He gets to spend time with his family and he knows that he will, at the very least, be in town for a full year.

But, like Kurz writes, in comparison to some of the contracts given out to defensemen this summer, the Sharks got a major deal no matter the reasoning behind it.

Stuart recorded six goals and 15 assists last season for the Detroit Red Wings.