Saturday was a busy day for the San Jose Sharks, one which included a contract extension for their new team captain, the debut of the 2010-2011 team on home ice and the revelation of two new banners in the rafters at HP Pavilion.
Joe Thornton signed a new three-year, $21 million contract extension prior to the game on Saturday, ensuring the core of key players will remain together at least through 2013-2014. The size of the contract in years and money is similar to the one he signed in 2007. Signing the extension going into his contract year also avoids a lot of potential distraction throughout the coming season and offseason.
There is absolutely zero doubt that Thornton could have received much more money by playing out his final year on his current contract, and then testing the waters as an unrestricted free agent next July. However, Thornton's desire to forego such a payday and re-sign a much more modest contract now reflects a growing team-wide commitment amongst the biggest stars in teal toward keeping this group together and bringing a Stanley Cup to Silicon Valley.
Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski also would have had little trouble finding more lu ...
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Article written by Patrick Goulding II
San Jose Sharks: Much to Discuss after Home-Opening Loss
October 17th, 2010 by Patrick Goulding II Leave a reply »
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