Pavelski expected to sign with Dallas Stars.
Sharks captain to sign 3-year deal with the Stars
SAN JOSE >> Joe Pavelski’s time with the Sharks is coming to an end.
Pavelski is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars today, Darren Dreger of TSN reported, ending an unforgettable tenure in San Jose that began in 2003 when the Plover, Wisconsin, native was drafted by the Sharks in the seventh round. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period in Toronto and Sean Shapiro of The Athletic both reported the deal will have an average annual value of roughly $7 million.
Today is the first day all NHL unrestricted free agents can sign with other teams.
Pavelski, 34, has spent the last 13 seasons with the Sharks, becoming a three-time NHL AllStar and a two-time Olympian with Team USA. An icon of the franchise, Pavelski leaves as the Sharks’ second all-time leader in goals (355), third in assists (406) and points (761) and fourth in regular-season games played (963).
Pavelski, the Sharks’ captain the last four seasons, just finished the last season of a five-year, $30 million contract he signed in the summer of 2013.
But the Sharks and Pavelski, despite numerous discussions, were never close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension. Friday, Dan Plante, Pavelski’s longtime agent, told the Bay Area News Group that the two sides remained far apart entering the weekend.
Plante said it was “overwhelming” the amount of quality teams that had contacted Pavelski once the interview period for pending UFA’s began June 23. Last week, Pavelski visited with the Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning — the only two teams he reportedly met with in person — as the thought of him leaving the Sharks and joining another team started to become a reality.
“He’s been there for over 13 years and a captain. That’s what he knew, and that’s what he knows,” Plante said of Pavelski. “So this will be a new challenge for him. He’s excited if that’s truly what happens and he goes to free agency.”
Pavelski scored 33 goals in his first 128 NHL games over two sea
sons, then began a streak of 10 straight years with 20 goals or more in 82-game regular seasons, including a career high of 41 in 201314, and 38 this past year.
Pavelski also recorded 100 points in 134 career playoff games, as the Sharks made the playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons with the organization. He also played 495 consecutive games from January 2011 to April 2017, the second-longest streak in franchise history behind Patrick Marleau’s record of 624.
Pavelski was named an NHL All-Star in 2016, 2017 and 2019, and helped Team USA win the silver medal at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. He was also an Olympian in 2014, the last year the NHL allowed its players to compete in the games.
Pavelski wasn’t looking to leave San Jose, saying in May shortly after the end of the season that he was confident he and the team could reach an agreement. The Sharks, as well, would have loved to have kept Pavelski in a teal jersey long-term.
But signing two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson to an eightyear, $92 million contract on June 17 left the Sharks short on cap space, with several roster spots left to fill.
One day after signing Karlsson, the Sharks traded popular defenseman Justin Braun and his $3.8 million salary-cap hit for this upcoming season. But even that move didn’t provide enough cap relief for the Sharks to sign Pavelski to a contract that was close to fair market value.
As of now, the Sharks have $66.6 million in salary tied up in 15 players, according to CapFriendly, and have roughly $14.8 million left to spend under next year’s NHL’s salary cap of $81.5 million for eight players.
With Gus Nyquist and Joonas Donskoi also free to sign with other teams today, the Sharks may be in the market for a right winger that could fit into their top-nine forward group.
But with winger Timo Meier set to become a restricted free agent and due for a significant raise after the expiration of his entry-level contract, and with fellow RFA Kevin Labanc needing a new deal, the Sharks aren’t expected to be big spenders. Joe Thornton said he wants to be back in San Jose next season, although his contract for 2019-20 does not figure to be grandiose.
The Sharks and Stars play each other three times next season, with Dallas first visiting San Jose on Jan. 11. The two teams also meet March 14 in Dallas and April 2 at SAP Center, the Sharks’ penultimate regular-season game.