San Jose Sharks: Predicting odds that top free agents re-sign
By Justin Fried
2. Joe Pavelski
Here’s the big name that will dominate Sharks free agency rumors until he ultimately makes his final decision. Longtime Sharks forward and team captain Joe Pavelski is set to be an unrestricted free agent and things aren’t looking good for his return.
It might sting and it could be wholly incomprehensible to imagine Pavelski in another uniform, but it might be a reality that Sharks fans will have to get used to before long.
After the re-signing of Karlsson, the Sharks cap situation is as tight as it’s ever been — as previously noted — and the market for Pavelski should be expectedly large.
The soon-to-be 35-year-old has already made visits with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars as he’ll look to cash in on one final payday.
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Of course, the Sharks would love to bring Pavelski back. He is their unquestioned leader on and off the ice, one of their longest-tenured players, and he’s fresh off a 38-goal season showing he still has plenty left in the tank.
Unfortunately, while he may still have something left in the tank, his time in The Tank might be coming to an end.
Unless the Sharks could convince him to take a major hometown discount, his days with the Sharks are likely numbered. But you could never underestimate the convincing prowess of general manager Doug Wilson and the power of emotional attachment.