San Jose signs Vlasic, Jones; Thornton reportedly back
The Sharks opened free agency Saturday by reaching long-term deals with two players that will keep them off the open market next summer.
The Sharks signed shutdown defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic to a $56 million, eight-year contract and goalie Martin Jones to a $34.5 million, six-year deal. Both players had one year remaining on their contracts and got modified no-trade clauses.
“They were really important,” general manager Doug Wilson said. “These are guys who fit for now and the future. They are core pieces for our team at key positons.”
In addition, Kevin Kurz of NBC Sports reported that center Joe Thornton has agreed to a one-year contract to remain with San Jose.
The Sharks did not reach a deal with longtime stalwart Patrick Marleau before he hit the open market. San Jose has an offer out to Marleau, but Wilson wouldn’t comment about where negotiations stand.
Thornton was the top pick by Boston that same year and came to San Jose in November 2005. He ranks in the top 25 alltime in assists (1,007, 13th place) and points (1,391, 22nd place).
Marleau has been with San Jose since being the No. 2 overall pick in 1997 and has 508 career goals.
The team has made three conference finals with the duo and went to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to Pittsburgh in 2016.
If Marleau leaves, the Sharks will have to replace that scoring. The defense should be in good shape for years to come thanks to the new deals with Vlasic and Jones and an eight-year extension for Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns in November.
The Sharks also have key forwards Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture under contract for two more seasons and several young players they hope will develop in the next few years.
“That’s a good starting point,” Vlasic said. “We’ve been competitive every year since I’ve been on this team. I don’t see us dropping off in the near future, and I see us being very competitive many years down the road.”
Vlasic, 30, was a second-round pick by San Jose in 2005 and became a presence on the blue line the following year. If he finishes this contract with San Jose he will spend 20 seasons with the Sharks.
Vlasic has played 812 games over 11 seasons and is usually tasked with shutting down the opponent’s top scorers. He had six goals and 22 assists last season, blocked 46 shots and played an average of more than two minutes a game short-handed.
“Marc-Edouard is one of the most respected players in the league, certainly one of the best defensemen,” Wilson said. “Not only the best stopper against other teams’ top players but he can move pucks. We expect even more offense going forward. We think he’s coming into prime of his career.”
The 27-year-old Jones has been a rock in goal since being acquired in a trade with Boston two years ago that included a first-round draft pick for a player who had never been a consistent starter in the NHL.
Jones backed up San Jose’s belief in him and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 and the playoffs this past season.
“Ultimately he plays big when it matters,” Wilson said. “That’s always been his history. Obviously we don’t get to the Stanley Cup Final two years ago without him. The ultimate compliment for a goalie is that a team loves playing in front of him and trusts him. He has that.”
Jones leads the NHL with 130 games started the past two seasons and is tied for second with 72 wins. He has allowed 2.33 goals per game with the Sharks.
“All I have to worry about is focusing on playing hockey right now,” he said. “It’s important. I didn’t have a lot of doubts it wouldn’t get done anyway. But it’s nice to get it out of the way and just focus on hockey.”