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Getting the hook ready to land the jumbo fish |
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Now that both drafts are over we shift our focus to the unrestricted free agent market. Today that market will allow unrestricted free agents to talk with other teams. The players still can't sign until July 1, but this period of time does allow teams to move on from a player if there is not mutual interest.
Jim Rutherford has a lot to do this offseason and most of his tough work is on the horizon. He has a number of RFA and UFA contracts to pick through and figure out who he wants to keep. By talking to other UFA players todya he can compare and contrast what the cost of doing business will be.
My first phone call would be to Joe Thornton. Things are quiet on the contract front in San Jose. There is no prearranged deal between Thornton or the Sharks at this point
We do know that there have never been any gentleman’s agreements between the Sharks and Thornton and Marleau for after the expansion draft. I continue to see this theory suggested by some – both media and fans alike – but it’s simply not true, as we've reported here in the past.
At this point, Thornton and Marleau will surely wait until June 25 to see what kind of offers roll in from other clubs. They should learn pretty quickly what kind of interest is out there.
From the Sharks’ perspective, the term of any potential deal is vital. If Thornton and Marleau still want at least three years – as we’ve reported here previously – that might not work for the Sharks, as their top offseason priority is to sign Martin Jones and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to long-term extensions.
It makes sense to me that if Joe Thornton were to return to the Sharks he would want job security as part of it. Every contract he has signed with the team has been for three years. If San Jose isn't going to offer him multiple years that opens the door for other possibilities. I am not advocating for the Penguins to give Joe Thornton a three year deal, but why wouldn't a one year offer from the Penguins be more appealing than a one year deal from the Sharks at this point?
There is no better Cup chasing decision to make than to slot behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin while still getting power play time. There are plenty of wingers to go around to keep everybody content. If you're going to leave your home since 2005 you might as well take a page out of another bay area athlete's book, Kevin Durant.
Can Rutherford reel in the big fish from the left coast? You can't catch it if you don't drop a lure. Today is the first day to do just that. The worst thing that can happen is the fish swims away and you move on to the next.
He already looks good in the black and gold
Hey that guy behind him looks familiar doesn't he?
Stay tuned.
Thanks for reading!
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