SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The San Jose Sharks, who have allowed nine goals in losing their last two games, Wednesday got one of their top defensemen back when Brad Stuart ended his holdout.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but TSN of Canada reported he got a two-year, $3 million contract with both a player and club option for a third year. He will receive $1.25 million this season, prorated for the time he missed, and $1.75 million in 2003-04.
Stuart, a Group II restricted free agent, had six goals and 23 assists in 82 games last season as San Jose won its first Pacific Division title, and reached the Western Conference semifinals, where it lost in seven games to the Colorado Avalanche.
"Happy, relieved, excited all those things, and I'm just anxious to get back now," Stuart said in a conference call Wednesday afternoon. "Obviously I'm not in game shape, but I think I'm good enough to play. It'll take a few games to get into game shape, but that'll be expected."
San Jose (5-8-1-1), which is at Atlanta Wednesday, is last in the Pacific Division.
Stuart, 24, will not play in the contest against the Thrashers, but could be back for Friday's game at Tampa Bay.
Stuart was selected by the Sharks with the third overall pick in the 1998 draft, and has 21 goals and 67 assists in 241 games. He was runner-up for the Calder Trophy in the 1999-2000 campaign, and last season was second on the team in average ice time at 21:41.
Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov also was a holdout and restricted free agent, but re-signed on Oct. 22.
