San Jose Sharks
Vlasic Doesn’t Think He’ll Get Bought Out (It Doesn’t Make Sense Anyway)
Marc-Edouard Vlasic has two years left on his contract.
Vlasic is hoping that the San Jose Sharks can get back on the winning track before the eight-year, $56 million pact expires in 2025-26.
In the interim, the 37-year-old veteran is still enjoying the game, despite the Sharks’ five seasons and counting out of the playoffs. And he’s still enjoying San Jose — he doesn’t expect to be bought out and hasn’t requested a trade.
In fact, per Puckpedia, a buyout this summer or next summer doesn’t save the Sharks all that much.
| 2024 BUYOUT | POST-BUYOUT CAP HIT | SAVINGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | $3,833,333 | $3,166,667 |
| 2025-26 | $4,833,333 | $2,166,667 |
| 2026-27 | $1,333,333 | NONE |
| 2027-28 | $1,333,333 | NONE |
| 2025 BUYOUT | POST-BUYOUT CAP HIT | SAVINGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | $4,666,667 | $2,333,333 |
| 2026-27 | $1,166,667 | NONE |
So a buyout might not make sense for a Sharks organization that projects to be flush with cap space in both off-seasons.
As for a trade, the truth is, there isn’t much of a market for the aging, expensive defenseman.
But Vlasic does show some flashes of the player who earned that contract and he’s become a leader for the young defensive corps, which helps keep him in the line-up, for now.
Vlasic, on trying to get back into the playoffs:
I haven’t talked to Logan [Couture] about that but I’ve talked last year, and I will probably do it this year, to management and say ‘I want to get back in the playoffs. We need to be competitive again.’ And I’m sure they want to. We’ve been competitive and in the playoffs so many years here. We had a winning culture and that’s what we want. That’s what I want.
It’s fun to play the season, it’s fun to play hockey, it’s fun to play games, practices, but it’s even more fun to play in the playoffs. I’ve had a taste of it, a lot guys here haven’t. And it’s a lot of fun.
Vlasic, on whether or not he would consider requesting a trade to a contender:
That hasn’t been a conversation I’ve had and that’s probably not a conversation I am going to have right now with [Mike Grier].
How much money do they have to sign free agents? I don’t know. Do they have a lot? They should have a lot. Are they going to sign free agents? If they sign free agents do we get better?
If we get better and if we are competitive, why would I leave? I have two years left on my contract with the Sharks. I haven’t asked, they haven’t asked me. I honor my contract.
Vlasic says he likes Hertl, but he’s cheering for the Stars because he knows more guys (Pavelski/DeBoer/Spott) on that team
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 20, 2024
Vlasic, on if he is still having fun despite struggles:
I’m having a blast. I love it. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t play. It’s a lot of traveling. I know I’m standing up here saying it’s a lot, but it’s fun. I love practicing, I love playing games, coming to the rink every day doing what I love to do. I know losing sucks but the compete, try to win, I still enjoy it.
Vlasic, on if there is any concern about getting bought out:
No.
[Mike Grier] has not heard from me that I don’t want to be on board with their plan. He has not heard from me that I don’t feel like being here anymore. He has not heard any of that from me. The only thing he’s heard from me in the last couple of years is that I can still play this game. I still have the love for the game and I still want to be in San Jose.
Vlasic, on if he is optimistic that the Sharks can turn things around in the life of his contract:
Well, it will be an interesting summer. Hopefully Couture can come back healthy. If him and [Mikael Granlund] start the year, that would be a massive boost for us. Granny was unbelievable. If he, Couture and [Tomas] Hertl started the year, it could be quite different.
We have quite a bit of room under the cap. If we go get three, four or five big guys, do we improve our club? Maybe.
Getting 🔙 to a winning culture.
Listen to @Vlasic44's full media availability:https://t.co/JWXoPNpb2M pic.twitter.com/SciuwNgby9
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 21, 2024
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Vlasic Doesn’t Think He’ll Get Bought Out (It Doesn’t Make Sense Anyway)
“I can still play this game..” Umm… sorry but what a load. Not at a competitive NHL level, not worth 7 million, not worth a roster spot. What is it like for players of any sport that make too much money playing at minor league level. Isn’t that hard on their integrity at all? I like the guy, and I appreciate that he’s trying, but doesn’t he feel bad about that he is dragging us down and makes the Sharks worse? Doesn’t seem like it… he’s laughing his way to the bank (thanks to Doug’s great GM’ing) with his head… Read more »
Absolutely. The arrogance of this guy is staggering. He epitomizes the failure of the DW era, and the culture of that era will not truly be over until he’s gone. He has been not only worthless, but a huge liability on the ice for at least the last five years. He is not even worthy of discussion and just needs to go, but he won’t. He was a huge part of DW downfall, and arguably DQ to some degree. MG are you next?
It’s too bad that’s how he’ll be remembered by some. There will be fans who don’t know how truly great he was and the level of play he had that earned his current contract
The buyout isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a roster spot. That might not seem critical, but consider the situation the Sharks are in. First and foremost, they badly need to improve their defensive corps before next season. But they also need to find room to give opportunities to players like Mukhamadullin and Thompson. Right now, even if the Sharks decide not to qualify Addison or bring back MacDonald, they have eight defensemen under one-way NHL contract. That doesn’t include Mukhamadullin, who should probably be penciled in for a full-time spot. Not much room left to improve the… Read more »
I just wrote that I can’t think of a reason to buy him out at this point, but yeah, I can see your argument, and I forgot they still have Benning who should be back next season (I think right?). I’d pass on bringing back Addison, not sure about MacDonald….given he can fill in at forward or defense isn’t a bad thing. Ferraro – Benning Thrun – Emberson Muk – Rutta That would leave Vlasic and Burroughs as 7 and 8… Yeah, if they don’t want to carry 8-dmen buying out Vlasic might be the way to go, though I’d… Read more »
I’ve taken his somewhat confrontational and almost snarky interview responses as he doesn’t give a Sh*t. I could be wrong and hope that’s the case. I hope he’s the positive role model these youngsters need to become professionals. Burns is doing this in Carolina. I miss the wookie
I seem to recall he was similar in interviews even back when he was at his peak (maybe, as a younger man, a little less salty and snarky), so I think this is just who he is, personality-wise, and it’s not worth reading much into it.
They need MEVs salary to just to get close to the cap floor. Especially if Couch can’t come back. It will be interesting to see how GMMG navigates the defence during the off season. Something has to change with the D.
If they do need the cap hit/ arnt gonna do anything with the little savings theyd get with a buyout, and they need a spot. Would be nice if they could convince him to finish out on the barracuda. Give them some mentorship/ lead the team back to the playoffs. And also free up a roster spot… doubt he’d like the idea.
I don’t see any reason to buy him out. He’s fine as a 6th/7th dman on a team that’s in the early stages of a rebuild.
What’s the rush? Two or three free agents are not going to improve this team into contention. Why sign free agents to improve the team to mediocrity and potentially out of the top-10 in 2025 draft when the Sharks have two first rounders?
Be patient through the rebuild. Keep Vlasic and take the next 2-3 seasons to develop the youth. There’s not much savings in buying him out anyways.
It does make sense to buy him out. It saves the org real dollars. Cap space doesn’t matter, but that is still money saved. It is also a defensive roster spot on a team that had one of the worst defensive results in the league which clearly needs a bit of an overhaul and not just one guy signed. It isn’t a great look to sign new guys and then just haul Vlasic along on the plane as a 7th/8th/9th D. Just remove him as an option and let him sign somewhere else as a 6th D for league minimum.… Read more »