The San Jose Sharks have talked with veteran pending UFA forwards—and former captains—Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, reports the NHL.com’s Eric Gilmore. Both are set to become free agents on July 1st, and could potentially leave for the right price.
Thornton has amassed 215G and 722A in 914 regular season games over 11.5 seasons for San Jose, and an additional 21G and 84A in 125 playoff games. Though he will be 38 next season, Thornton still managed to put up 7G and 43A in 79 games. If the Sharks and Thornton come to a deal, it will most likely be a two or three year deal. Because Thornton’s contract is a 35+ contract, it stays on the salary cap if Thornton retires early.
Marleau has been the face of the franchise since he was drafted 2nd overall in 1997—one pick later than Joe Thornton to the Boston Bruins. In 19 seasons, Marleau has 508G and 574A, and an additional 68G and 52A in 177 playoff games. Like Thornton, expect Marleau to get a two or three year deal, but slightly less than Thorton because of Marleau’s lesser production.
The two veterans, however, are not the only contractual talks concerning San Jose. Both goaltender Martin Jones and defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic are free agents at the end of next season, and San Jose will want to sign them to extensions as soon as possible.