Sharks sign Rob Blake to one-year deal

Defenceman Rob Blake smiles at teammates, April 3, 2006. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jack Dempsey SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks have signed veteran defenceman Rob Blake to a US$5-million, one-year contract. Blake, 38, is tied for fourth among active NHL defensemen with 702 points (223-479) in 1,127 career NHL regular-season games with Los Angeles and Colorado. The 18-year NHLer had 31 points (9-22) in 71 games with the Kings last season while also posting 98 penalty minutes. "Rob is a tremendous competitor that has been one of the top defencemen in this league for many years," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a statement. "While he has enjoyed mentoring the young guys, great players need the ability to win in order to thrive and his sole purpose here is to focus on winning." The native of Simcoe, Ont., won a Stanley Cup with... [read full story]