The hockey world either scoffed or yawned when the San Jose Sharks announced after last season that Brent Burns was moving back to defense.

The Sharks looked they were renovating the back deck when they had major cracks in the foundation.

The Sharks had experienced an epic postseason collapse, blowing a 3-0 series lead to the Los Angeles Kings and had opted to let veteran Dan Boyle to move on without a fight. It seemed as if the Sharks’ response would be more than just moving Burns from forward to defense, where he had started his NHL career.

But with the Sharks boasting a 4-0-1 record going into this afternoon’s game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, the Burns move is playing like a wise decision.

It’s too early to know how this will affect the team’s playoff potential, but playing Burns back on defense has freshened up how the team plays.

Burns leads the Sharks skaters in average ice time (22 minutes, 28 seconds) and he is tied for the team lead in points with seven on a goal and six assists. He has 10 shots on goal, which is in the neighborhood of the team’s forwards.

San Jose ranks second in scoring, fifth in even-strength production and their 2.00 goals-against average is down by a third of a goal from last season’s finish.

The only caution of the team’s defensive play this season over last is that the Sharks are giving up too many shots per game (36.2).

Here are other offseason decisions that are paying off in the early going:

Washington’s hiring of Barry Trotz

Trotz has been exactly what the Capitals needed to change the culture. The previously defensively-challenged team is giving up 1.80 goals per-game, more than a full less than the team surrendered last season.

The Capitals have made this change without surrendering any of their offensive might. Trotz has been pleased with the adjustments Alex Ovechkin has made.

Certainly, the offseason signings of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik have made a difference, but Trotz’s fingerprints are on the transformation.

The Capitals did have a sloppy defensive game against the Sharks, but Trotz has improved the team’s compete level. Their 5-on-5 play is much stronger.

Islanders trading for Johnny Boychuk

A 30-goal scorer couldn’t have helped the New York Islanders more than Boychuk has in the early going.

Boychuk, acquired during the preseason, gives the team bite, defensive stability and a strong shot on the blue line. Now the Islanders just have to get him signed beyond this season. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Devils’ signing of Mike Cammalleri

General manager Lou Lamoriello always has had a knack of knowing how to fix his problems.

His signing of Cammalleri (five goals, two assists) now looks like one of the most fruitful moves of the offseason.

Ducks believing in Frederik Andersen

Anaheim, a premium contender, looked as if it might have vulnerability in net as GM Bob Murray chose to go with unproven Andersen and rookie John Gibson.

Andersen has removed any concern about net play by winning his first four starts with a .937 save percentage and 1.71 goals-against average.

Your games tonight

Minnesota at Los Angeles, 3

San Jose at New York Rangers, 5

Calgary at Winnipeg, 7

St. Louis at Anaheim, 8

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