Pavelski reflects on his long tenure on San Jose ice
Joe Pavelski took time Monday for reflection while explaining why he is no longer with the Sharks.
A seventhround draft choice by San Jose in 2003, Pavelski rose to captain a Stanley Cup contender for four seasons and ascend toward the top of the franchise’s alltime offensive categories during his 13 seasons in the South Bay. But on Sunday, he agreed to a threeyear deal with Dallas and said the contract’s length and value were the key factors.
San Jose was not willing to match the length of the deal, which will pay Pavelski $21 million in statetaxfree Texas.
“This wasn’t a case I was getting a feeling
they didn’t want me or I didn’t want them,” said Pavelski, who turns 35 on July 11. “It’s just how things played out. … It didn’t work out this time. Things don’t always line up and set up perfectly.”
Sharks general manager Doug Wilson — on a day he said was filled with mixed emotions — did resign restricted freeagent forward Timo Meier for four years and retain unrestricted rightshooting defenseman Tim Heed. Forwards Joonas Donskoi (Colorado) and Gus Nyquist (Columbus) and defenseman Joakim Ryan (Los Angeles) all departed.
Pavelski’s decision was the primary topic Monday.
“The impact he’s had on this franchise and his teammates will be felt for years to come,” Wilson said of Pavelski. “Under a (salary) cap system, these are difficult decisions.
“You’re never going to hear anything but tremendous admiration and respect for Joe. Now it’s up to the players who learned from him to take their game to the next level.”
Pavelski admitted it won’t be easy to forget his time in San Jose.
“It’s hard. It’s hard leaving friends there,” he said. “It’s even harder leaving teammates, especially guys I played with the whole time. … It’s a change. The friendships are going to be there. Some things don’t change that way.
“What an incredible time we had in San Jose. The organization treated us topnotch. There was never any doubts, anything we look back on and wished we’d done different. It was a special time in our life for sure, and we’ll miss a lot of people there.”
Wilson said naming the team’s next captain will be the choice of head coach Peter DeBoer. As for the competition to replace Pavelski’s 38 goals, Wilson talked about the potential of Meier, who signed for $24 million.
“I think he can become one of the premier power forwards in the game,” Wilson said. “You see young players seize the opportunity when increased ice time comes their way. Timo didn’t only score 30 goals this year, but I thought he was dominant in the playoffs, too.
“When you see players like this playing a man’s game with a scoring touch, I don’t think you can even put a ceiling on where he can get to.”
Coming off a careerbest 30 goals and 66 points during only his third season in the league, the 22yearold admitted San Jose was the only destination he considered. Meier said he did not hear from other teams who might extend an offer sheet.
“It’s really exciting to stay in San Jose where I’ve developed my game,” Meier said. “I’ve been through some ups and downs, and the organization has treated me really well. I’m mostly just really excited for the future. I want to take my game up to the next level next season.”
Heed, 28, signed a oneyear deal for $960,000 to stay in San Jose. Donskoi received $15.6 million for four years with the Avalanche, Nyquist got $22 million for four years with Columbus, and Ryan’s deal with the Kings — the value of which was not disclosed — is for one season.
Wilson said he spoke with freeagent forward Joe Thornton and will get a deal done “in due time.” He added that he has not spoken yet to Patrick Marleau, who hopes to return to the Sharks after being bought out by Carolina over the weekend.