REPORT: Vlasic Doesn’t Think He’ll Be Bought Out

MONTREAL – Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been an off-season buyout candidate, but the San Jose Sharks defenseman believes that he’s coming back to San Jose.

Montreal native Vlasic, who’s sat with the Sharks’ table throughout the 2022 Draft, shared his thoughts on the topic to Corey Masisak of The Athletic today.

“There’s been plenty of speculation about a potential buyout with Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s contract. He told me earlier today that it doesn’t look like there will be one, and he’s excited for a fresh start with a new GM (who he played with for three years) and a new coaching staff,” Masisak tweeted.

There's been plenty of speculation about a potential buyout with Marc-Edouard Vlasic's contract. He told me earlier today that it doesn't look like there will be one, and he's excited for a fresh start with a new GM (who he played with for three years) and a new coaching staff.

— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) July 8, 2022

The off-season buyout period opened on Jul. 1 and ends on Jul. 12.

New San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier had no comment about a potential Vlasic buyout at his introductory press conference on Tuesday.

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Joe Will, when he was interim GM of the Sharks before Grier’s ascension, had suggested that a buyout was unlikely.

“It’s useful in a few situations, not in everything. There’s usually better solutions,” Will said on Jul. 1. “I’m very excited that he’s a member of this club and look forward to moving forward with Marc-Edouard.”

Will on Firing Boughner, New GM, Kane, Buying Out Vlasic (+)

Strictly from a PR perspective, it would be strange to buy out a player after inviting him to sit with you throughout the Draft.

Grier again declined comment on Vlasic’s status after the Draft today: “He’s focused. Excited for the season and ready to work.

“As far as that goes, he’s a Shark, and we’re happy.”

Vlasic, 35, has four seasons left on an eight-year, $56 million dollar contract that was signed in Jul. 2017.

At his height, Vlasic was considered arguably the world’s best defensive defenseman and was member of Canada’s 2014 Olympic gold medal team. In the last two years, however, ex-San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner had dropped him to the team’s bottom pairing: This past year, Vlasic averaged 15:13 a night, a far cry from the 21:03 a night that he averaged in 2018-19.

Hopefully, Vlasic can turn that around with Grier’s new head coach. It looks like the proud veteran will get the chance.