SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks opened free agency Saturday by signing long-term contracts that will keep two key players 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.”
The Sharks did not reach deals with longtime stalwarts Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau before they hit the open market officially.