The first day of free agency was shaping up to be the start of a new era for the San Jose Sharks. Instead it was the first move of many in the NHL's version of a championship chess match.
Early on in the day it became very clear that General Manager Doug Wilson had a very specific set of goals in mind. Wilson made sure that neither his starting goalie or his ace defenseman would be wearing a different sweater anytime soon.
Martin Jones was locked up for six years at $34.5 million (AAV $5.75 Million). While Marc-Edouard Vlasic is set to retire in teal with an eight-year $56 million mega-deal (AAV $7 million.
The term and money for both deals is mind-blowing, but if you really think about it - championship teams are built from the net out. Wilson knows that and he reacted accordingly.
Jones has been phenomenal since he was acquired from the Bruins a couple of seasons ago. The 27-year-old is 72-46-10 with a 2.33 GAA and .915 save percentage in 130 games with San Jose and backstopped the Sharks to its first Cup Final.
Vlasic, 30, is destined to be a lifer. He has 254 points (53 goals, 201 assists) in 812 games over 11 seasons with the Sharks. He celebrated his new contract with a fitting tweet.
Sharks for life! 👠pic.twitter.com/oHIk9y4D4J
— Marc-à‰douard Vlasic (@Vlasic44) July 1, 2017
...
Despite all the warm fuzzy feelings from the Jones and Vlasic deals - a very big white elephant remained in the San Jose war room.
What's going to happen with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau?
All the noise leading up to the start of free-agency was that both were as good as gone.
Then one shoe dropped....
Jumbo Joe re-signed with the Sharks for one-year and an AAV of $6.5 million. Thornton may not produce like he used to, but keeping him in the fold is a big win for the Sharks. A 38-year-old Thornton is better than most players half his age.Thornton collected 50 points in 79 games in what was considered a "down" year for the future HOFer. The previous season he recorded 82 points in 82 games. No reason not to expect more of the same from a healthy number 19.
Okay, what about Marleau?
It seems like another bullet is going to be dodged there too. All indications are that Mr. Shark is leaning towards re-signing with the only team he's ever played for. No deal is signed yet - maybe tomorrow?
Stay tuned....
Crisis averted - at least for today.
Thanks for reading, Steve