SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks agreed to terms with Kyle McLaren on Saturday, two days after acquiring the defenseman in a three-way trade with Boston and Montreal.

According to newspaper reports Sunday, McLaren agreed to a four-year deal worth $8 million.

McLaren has not played this season after holding out with the Bruins. He was drafted by Boston in the first round in 1995 and was selected to the NHL all-rookie team the following season.

Plagued by injuries, McLaren has missed 141 games in seven seasons.

"I'm glad to be here in San Jose, where I hope to get a fresh start," McLaren said Friday. "I feel great. I have no problems."

McLaren could join the Sharks for their game in Los Angeles on Monday night.

The Sharks expect McLaren to be one of their top four defensemen for years to come, and they can't wait to put his physical play to use on their suspect backline.

San Jose paid a high price to acquire him: promising young defenseman Jeff Jillson went to Boston, and wing Niklas Sundstrom was sent to Montreal.

The Sharks were thought to be a Stanley Cup contender this season, but they'll need a huge late-season surge just to make the playoffs.

"I don't think this team is less appealing now than it was then," McLaren said. "They haven't been as successful this year, but this is still an appealing team to me. It's a young team, it's got a lot of highly skilled players, and for whatever reason, it hasn't come together. I expect this team to make the playoffs."

McLaren knew he might be headed to San Jose for months. The Sharks inquired about his availability last summer, then renewed their pursuit when the Bruins finally expressed interest in moving McLaren.