SAN JOSE — Sharks defenseman Joakim Ryan said Paul Martin recently offered up a basic tip for playing alongside Brent Burns.
“(Martin) was joking with me that anytime we’re in the offensive zone, Burnsy’s always open,” Ryan said, “so try to get him the puck as much as possible.”
Seems pretty straightforward, but that’s part of Ryan’s approach as he tries to show that he belongs in the NHL: Be consistent, make the simple play and stay in constant communication with arguably the league’s most dynamic defenseman.
“He talks a lot out there, and I try to talk a lot too so we help each other out,” Ryan said of Burns.