Sharks’ Extend Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau For Three More Years

Dec 3, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Joe Thornton (19) celebrates his goal with forward Joe Pavelski (8) and forward Patrick Marleau (12) and defenseman Dan Boyle (22) during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Remember the old “Big Three” discussion earlier when Sharks Captain Joe Thornton and Alternate Captain Patrick Marleau were two of the guys who’s contracts HADN’T been extended yet? No one knew what was going to happen with these two along with defenseman Dan Boyle. Now, the waiting game is over as the San Jose Sharks announced three-year contract extensions of both Jumbo and Patty. According to ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun, the Captain’s deal is $6.75 million while Marleau’s is at $6.66 million. Both players’ contracts have No Movement Clauses.

This comes as critical to the Sharks if they’re going to take a step forward to taking home their first ever Stanley Cup win come this playoff season.

This is what Sharks GM Doug Wilson had to say to ESPN about the two and their new contracts:

"Patrick and Joe continue to perform at an elite level in the National Hockey League and, most importantly, they make the other players around them better. They both made it very clear that they wanted to stay in San Jose and we were able to agree on contracts that fit with our team building philosophy."

While the Sharks have developed a new young core in Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, and Brent Burns, there’s no mistake that the old leadership is still in tact. Joe Thornton continues to climb up the NHL All-Time Assists and is playing perhaps the best hockey I’ve seen him play as a Shark. Marleau’s shown there’s no stopping him either as he has a goal and four assists in his last five games.