Sharksâ€^TM look-ahead: Contract extension for Vlasic, late start for training camp
Posted by David Pollak on August 6th, 2008 at 12:51 pm | Categorized as General

Timing is, of course, everything. Which is why, despite my efforts to root it out earlier, news that Ryane Clowe had signed for $1.6 million broke while I was 90-minute flight from my computer. So it goes.

Iâ€^TMm about to abandon my keyboard once again. But before I do, let me throw out a laundry list of Shark-related items as a little good-bye offering.

1) Do not be surprised if the Sharks announce a contract extension soon for defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who is now scheduled to become a restricted free agent next July. Talks with his agent are under way and, so I hear, going well.

2) I know a lot of you are ready for training camp. But it looks as if youâ€^TMll have to wait a little longer than you might have thought. The NHL pushed the starting dates back at least a week this season. Nothing official yet, but itâ€^TMs my understanding that Sharks veterans wonâ€^TMt be reporting until sometime around Sept. 19.

3) Rookies and prospects are expected to show up about a week earlier. And while it doesnâ€^TMt look as if there will be the four-team tournament of years past, Iâ€^TMm advised that at least a couple games are scheduled in Las Vegas against another Pacific Division team before the vets arrive. Vegas? Hmmm, better have the boss check the travel budget.

4) The Sharks newly assembled coaching staff will be trickling into San Jose in late August and early September. Meanwhile, Coach Todd McLellan is getting things ready at the teamâ€^TMs practice rink. Thereâ€^TMs furniture to be purchased and a little redesign work as well. McLellan is hoping to carve out space for a conference room where coaches can go over video with select players in a little less crowded setting.

5) McLellan has been setting up shop and continuing to talk with players. But heâ€^TMs also tried to make the transition easier on his family by taking a couple days with them just to get to know the area. One day, that meant a drive to San Francisco. Another day, they headed to Half Moon Bay, then absorbed the wonders of the Pacific Coast before taking that first drive over Highway 17 for the ride home.

6) The McLellans still have one longer trip scheduled, heading back to Saskatoon to spend a day with the Stanley Cup. When that was scheduled for Aug. 18, the Sharks new coach had no idea that schools re-opened that early in California. But now it looks like his sons will be missing their first two days of classes. In my book, thatâ€^TMs certainly an excused absence. Wonder how the teachers will see it.

7) Finally, since I know many of you missed the short item in the paper Tuesday on the re-signing of Ryane Clowe, hereâ€^TMs what his agent, Paul Cobeil, had to say about the fact no contract was signed until months following a handshake agreement between Clowe and Doug Wilson in the GMâ€^TMs office.

Cobeil pointed out that the handshake took place when Clowe was still in rehab. And having played only a handful of games, it was â€oetough for him to bring the numbers for a bigger contract.”

As for Cloweâ€^TMs decision to take a one-year deal, Cobeil said that made the most sense because he expected both the left wing and the team to have more success this coming season.

â€oeWe will look to the future after next season,” he explained.

Anyway, thatâ€^TMs it for now. Keep the conversation going without me.

• http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2008/08/06/sharks-look-ahead-contract-extension-for-vlasic-late-start-for-training-camp/

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