The San Jose Sharks are going into a pretty big offseason starting July 1. That would be the day the NHL’s free agency period begins, and it will be the first opportunity the Sharks have to re-sign or part ways with the 23 players on their current free-agent roster.

This is a free agency that could possibly define this team for the next two years, having to decide whether to re-sign or let go of several promising young players. There are also some veterans in the mix who could potentially upset the chemistry of a proud and competitive franchise.

More or less, the Sharks’ participation in the NHL’s free agency period depends solely on what San Jose decides to do with two of its key free agents.

Those two players are restricted free agent Devin Setoguchi on the offensive end and unrestricted free agent Ian White on the defensive end.

The Sharks’ leniency in free agency hinges on how the Sharks treat those two players.

For now, there are some realistic options for San Jose if they decide to start in the chaos that is NHL Free Agency 2011.

eric brewer

If the Sharks go after a big-name free agent, it’s going to be a big-name defender. And if they go after a big-name defenseman, Brewer would seem to fit within San Jose’s price range for a very good defensive player with a decent offensive game.

It may be a bit of a gamble for the Sharks, considering Brewer made a legitimate name for himself in the 2011 NHL Playoffs.

Brewer may not reach 40 points next season, but he would be a valuable asset to the Sharks as part of that defense.

Whether he is a valuable asset worth $5 million next season will be up to the Sharks.

kevin bieksa

Another Sharks playoff foe coming to play in San Jose?

Antti Niemi did it. Why can’t Bieksa?

Sure, Bieksa is going to take less money and stay in Vancouver, but this is someone the Sharks should really go after because he fills every part of the ice that San Jose needs help on.

Bieksa can score, as we saw in the Western Conference Finals, but he’s also a decent defender.

Once again, he’ll give the Canucks a hometown discount, but that doesn’t mean other teams won’t throw down the house on a defenseman who stepped up his game when it counted the most.

The Detroit Red Wings will surely put as much effort into Christian Ehrhoff as Bieksa, but they’re hoping the Sharks throw their hat in the pile as well.

Whether the Sharks, Red Wings or Canucks feel Bieksa is inevitably worth the $5-$7 million he’s supposed to get will be up to them.

Cam Barker (restricted free agent)

Sharks fans should remember Barker from that tight Chicago Blackhawks defense a year ago.

Now, Barker is a definite possibility in San Jose next season.

Currently, there are rumors about the Minnesota Wild buying Barker’s contract, making him an unrestricted free agent, but that won’t happen until they have a trainer in place.

Barker is set to make $3 million next season, and if bought, it would cost $375,000 against the cap next season.

The 25-year-old possesses a strong shot from the spot and is especially effective on the power play. His defense in his own zone needs work, but he’s a very physical player the Sharks could use.