Sharks Sign Forwards Marleau & Pavelski to Four-Year Extensions

The San Jose Sharks retained two of their top forwards on Thursday by signing centers Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski to four-year contract extensions. Marleau, who would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1, signed a contract worth $27.6 million, which averages out to $6.9 million per season, while Pavelski, who would have been a restricted free agent, received a contract worth $16 million, which averages out to $4 million per season. In all 82 games last season with the Sharks, Marleau had 44 goals and 39 assists for 83 points. In 953 career games, all with San Jose, he has 320 goals and 373 assists for 693 points. Pavelski appeared in 67 games last season with the Sharks, scoring 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points. These are great signings for San Jose, as Marleau and Pavelski are both very talented forwards. Marleau has great goal-scoring abilities, decent two-way play, and plenty of speed and leadership qualities, making him one of the Sharks' top forwards. Pavelski has lots of offensive upside and is a great playmaking center whose best years are still ahead of him. Look for both players to have fine seasons once again in 2010-11.