Sharks, Simek agree to new four-year deal

SAN JOSE >> The Sharks and defenseman Radim Simek have reportedly agreed to terms on a fouryear contract extension worth around $8 million.

Simek said after the Sharks’ Monday practice that the contract has not yet been signed, although the framework of a new deal is in place. The Sharks had not confirmed any new contract for Simek as of early Monday afternoon. Doug Wilson is attending the NHL general manager meetings in Boca Raton, Fla.

The initial report came from iSport.cz of the Czech Republic, Simek’s home country.

Simek, 27, is in the final season of a two-year, $1.35 contract extension he signed with the Sharks in April 2018 and was slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Simek’s reported deal would run through the 2023-24 season.

Simek has eight points this season, as he’s averaged 16 minutes and 41 seconds of ice time in 43 games.

Simek, a left shot defenseman, suffered a torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments

in his knee in March of last year in a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Simek, who also damaged his meniscus in the accident, returned to the Sharks’ lineup Nov. 5.

Simek played 16 games until Dec. 7 before he had to sit out seven games to deal with irritation related to his meniscus.

The Sharks are 23-16-3 this season with Simek in the lineup, although they are 12-13-2 with Simek since Dec. 27 when he returned.

Simek has spent much of the season with Mario Ferraro on the Sharks third defense pair. After Brenden Dillon was traded to the Washington Capitals on Feb. 18, Simek has played with Brent Burns for the last six games.

Against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, a 5-0

Sharks win, Simek had two hits and three blocked shots in 21:34 of ice time.

“If it’s true, I’m a big (Simek) fan,” Sharks interim coach Bob Boughner said of the reported deal. “I think an example is the

Pittsburgh game, how hard he plays and he’s not a fun guy to play against.

“You get him and you get (Ferraro) and you get guys like that on your back end, that just gives you a little more sandpaper and makes it hard on the opposing forwards. Part of that identity that we’re trying to create.”

Simek was initially signed to a one-year contract by the Sharks out of the Czech Republic in May 2017.

MATT SLOCUM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Sharks’ Radim Simek plays against the Philadelphia Flyers last week. He has agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension worth around $8million.