SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks have signed star forwards Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski to four-year contracts a week before they would have been free agents.
The moves announced Thursday by general manager Doug Wilson keep two of the team’s key players in San Jose to make a run for the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.
Marleau was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, while Pavelski would have been a restricted free agent.
Marleau led the team with 44 goals last season. Pavelski tied a career-high with 25 goals in the regular season and added a team-best nine in the playoffs.
San Jose made it to the Western Conference final for the second time before being swept by Chicago.
