On the San Jose Sharks …
Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News: Both Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are 37 years old and are free agents on July 1st. Both want to continue playing. Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic will need contract extensions at some point as well, so the Sharks may have trouble fitting both Thornton and Marleau in.
It’s not known yet what type of money and term Thornton and Marleau are looking for. There were reports during the season that Thornton wants a three-year deal.
Both players might get some interest from a team looking for veteran offensive player – Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs or maybe the LA Kings.
If the Sharks were to sign either before the expansion draft, they would have to be protect and the Sharks would have to expose a younger player, which is unlikely to happen.
Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Forward Joe Thornton said there have been no contract extension talks yet.
“I just wanted to focus on hockey this year,” he said. “There’s no hurry, but yeah, I want to be back. This team is a real talented team, and I love playing here.”
GM Doug Wilson said there is lots of time before next season to start talks.
“We have lots of time … We’ve got four-and-a-half months until we’re back at it.”
Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area: Patrick Marleau hopes to be back with the Sharks next season but said there haven’t really been any talks yet.
“Yeah, it would be nice. We’ll see if that’s an option,” Marleau said. “A lot of time here before this decision needs to be made.”
Marleau added that he thinks he has “at least five good years in me, or maybe more.”
If Marleau is looking for a multi-year deal from the Sharks it might be tricky them to keep him.
Both Martin Jones and Marc-Edouard Vlasic will be entering the final year of their deals next season.
“Both of them are extremely important to get under contract, and we can start those discussions in the next little while.”
Jones and Vlasic could cost the Sharks between $13 and $15 million a season.
“Oh, absolutely,” Jones said, when asked if he could see himself with the Sharks long term. “I love it here. The guys are great. It’s a lot of fun coming to the rink every day. City has been great. The fans are awesome, and we have a great team. I’m excited.”
Pending RFAs include Chris Tierney, Marcus Sorensen, Melker Karlsson and Joonas Donskoi.
Decisions on Thornton’s future and the expansion draft will come before a Marleau decision.
“ have been cornerstones of this franchise for a long time, not only as players, but as people,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of variables that go into that decision, and the first one is me sitting down and talking with both of them. We haven’t had a chance to do that, so we’ll get there.”
