Exit Interview: Vlasic Doesn’t Want to Waive No-Movement Clause

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, as he usually does, struck a confident, almost defiant tone in his exit interview today.

Vlasic, who has played on the third pairing for most of the year, asserted his belief that he’ll be back in a top shutdown role next season. The 34-year-old also believes that the San Jose Sharks, who have missed the post-season for two straight years, will be back in the playoff picture too.

The blueliner shared why he believes in the Sharks next year, his thoughts about San Jose being in “reset” mode, and whether or not he’d ever consider waiving his No-Movement Clause.

The 2014 Olympian is signed until 2026. These are some of the highlights from his exit interview.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, on why he believes the San Jose Sharks will be back in the playoffs next year:

There’s no rebuild. Next year, we’ll be back. And we’ll be competing for the playoffs and for a Stanley Cup.

We were on a run there, right before I got injured, and we were beating the best teams in the league, we were playing to our system. And if we do that consistently, more than we did this year? We did that more this year than we did last year.

Vlasic, on what he dealt with this season, in terms of his mental health:

2020 was the greatest year [for me] and then towards the end was the worst moment of my life. It’s been tough losing two dogs. Everyday is tough. But it’s nice to come to the rink and play hockey and it’s kind of an escape for me. Everybody’s dealing with something. But the hockey is a way for me to escape that. I have a new dog. And I’m looking forward to seeing them very soon.

Vlasic, on if he expects to be back in a top shutdown role next year:

I’ll be back doing that.

Vlasic, on if he wants to be part of the San Jose Sharks’ “reset”:

Yeah, well, he’s used that term before, [seven] years ago. I don’t know if it was a reset, but Doug doesn’t want to rebuild. Doug wants to be competitive every year and when he’s not competitive, just like us, he’s disappointed and he’s angry and he wants to. He wants to be a part of the playoffs and have a chance to win and that’s what I like. He wants to win every year. We got to get back to the playoffs next year. And I think we will.

Vlasic, on if there’s a scenario where he’d waive his No-Movement Clause:

I’m here to the end.

I’ve signed here for 20 years; I’m going to be here for 20 years. I would’ve signed somewhere else if I didn’t want to be here. I want to win in San Jose.

Vlasic, on if Doug Wilson has ever asked him to waive his NMC:

No. I didn’t know I had it until this year when everybody’s bringing it up. I didn’t know I had it. But I have it. There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s there.