While the NHL's version of the Final Four is set to get started tonight, the San Jose Sharks got to work on a lengthy off-season to-do list.
The team announced on Friday they have re-signed impending restricted free agent forwards Melker Karlsson and Joonas Donskoi.
#SJSharks re-sign forward Joonas Donskoi to a two-year contract.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 12, 2017
🕺: https://t.co/V76LYfQb5B pic.twitter.com/mIyKQ9GieL
#SJSharks re-sign forward Melker Karlsson to a three-year contract.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 12, 2017
🥛: https://t.co/bDpweKbpbr pic.twitter.com/k27B7mB2bU
Sharks re-sign J. Donskoi to 2-year deal worth $1.9 M per season AAV; and also re-sign M. Karlsson to 3-year deal worth $2 M per season AAV
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2017
Both forwards proved over the last couple of seasons that an extension and the raise that comes with it is warranted. The Sharks obliged.
Karlsson appeared in a career high 67 games while collecting 22 points (11g 11a). Since joining San Jose in 2014, the 26-year-old has 65 points (34g, 31a) in 185 games.
Donskoi, a favorite of mine, slumped a bit this season but he proved his worth throughout the Sharks playoff run a year ago. The Finnish winger scored 6 goals and had 6 assists in 24 games to help the Sharks advance to the first franchises first Cup Final with two game-winning goals.
Doug Wilson has a laundry list of things to do this summer. This is a good start. Of course there is still a ton to do. No doubt Wilson is laser focused and has a clear cut game plan. Next on the list - who else stays? Chris Tierney, Marcus Sorensen, Barclay Goodrow and Mirco Mueller are all restricted free agents and in need of new contracts. Then there is the giant elephant in the room. What happens with unrestricted free agents Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Micheal Haley.
But that's not all....
Good start for the Sharks to what will be a busy off-season. Thornton/Marleau situations plus getting Jones/Vlasic signed long term...
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) May 12, 2017
Let the busy off-season begin.
Now time to watch some hockey.
Thanks for reading, Steve