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Sharks Cut Veterans Loose; Rouse, Craven on Way Out - Jan. 14, 2000 – Vol. 53, Issue. 18 - Dan Wood

The San Jose Sharks have cast veterans Bob Rouse and Murray Craven overboard.

Sharks’ GM Dean Lombardi informed Rouse and Craven Dec. 26 that their services were no longer required, placing them on waivers.

Given Rouse’s $2.5 million and Craven’s $1.4 million salaries this season, it was unlikely another NHL club would claim either.

“It’s not really motivated by financial considerations,” Lombardi said. “We just had to get down in our numbers.

“They were very good players for us at a time when we needed to get our respect back.”

With the deletion of Rouse and Craven, the Sharks activated winger Dave Lowry, who had been on injured reserve since sustaining a separated shoulder Nov. 27.

If Rouse and Craven, both 35, clear waivers, San Jose would have the option of assigning them to the minor leagues or negotiating a buyout of their contracts.

This was Rouse’s second season with the Sharks since signing as a free agent. After playing in 70 games last season, the veteran blueliner appeared in 26 games this year, recording one assist and 19 penalty minutes.

Craven, a Shark since a 1997 trade with the Chicago Blackhawks, had struggled through injuries over the past two seasons. On injured reserve since Nov. 28, the winger had played in 19 games this year, picking up two assists.

NOTEBOOK: Center Mike Ricci enjoyed his longest scoring streak as a Shark with a five-game run (Dec. 8-20), then recorded his second two-goal game of the season Dec. 27 in a 3-1 victory at Dallas… A 1-0 shutout loss to Anaheim Dec. 26 marked the first time San Jose had been blanked since a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles April 16, 1999…Right winger Owen Nolan recorded multi-point efforts five times in a span of six games from Dec. 6-20…Sharks GM Dean Lombardi escaped NHL sanctions after blasting the work of referees Richard Trottier and Kevin Maguire during a 4-3 loss to Detroit Dec. 20…San Jose was 15-0 when leading after two periods before blowing a 2-1 third period lead in a 4-3 loss at Phoenix Dec. 19.