The Sharks have acquired the rights to Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart, setting up the possibility that their first-round draft pick in 2003 will be able to end his NHL career where it began.

Center Andrew Murray, who played 39 games for San Jose last season before being sent to the minors, goes to the Red Wings in the deal. If the Sharks do sign Stuart, Detroit also will receive a seventh-round pick in 2014.

Stuart, 32, said several months ago that he wanted to re-locate to the West Coast after his current contract expires on June 30 because he wanted to be closer to his wife and children, who have remained in the San Jose area. The Sharks now have almost three weeks to sign him before Stuart becomes an unrestricted free agent.

"I don't know if it's going to be my final NHL contarct, but I hope it is my final destination," Stuart said . I've lived here in the off season every since I was traded and I have a lot of respect for the organization."

Stuart had 36 goals and 117 assists in 377 games as a Shark before being traded to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 30, 2005, as part of the deal that brought Joe Thornton to San Jose. Since then, he also has had short stints with the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames, before landing in Detroit at the 2008 trade deadline.

A left-handed shot, Stuart would likely be a Top Four defenseman with the Sharks.

"Brad is a player we are very familiar with — a physical, team-first

defenseman who is tough to play against, which is exactly the kind of mentality we want our team to possess," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said.

Stuart stressed again Sunday that he has loved his time in Detroit, where he helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 2008. He had six goals and 15 assists in 81 games with Detroit last season.

The third overall pick in the NHL draft, Stuart was considered an offensive-minded defenseman at the start of his career. That has changed over the years.

"I went to Detroit and I wasn't really counted on for any kind of offensive output," Stuart said, "so I just focused on other parts of my game. I take pride in being a good, physical player who's hard to play against, working hard every night and being one of the guys that the coaching staff and other players can count on to be giving it his all every night.

"Consequently I've become a better rounded player," he added. "I don't put up as many points as I did in my first few years in the league, but I think overall I'm a better player."

The Sharks still need to reach agreement on a new contract with Stuart, who is coming off a four-year, $15-million deal with Detroit.