Hertl, Sharks Agree To 2-Year, $6 Million Extension
It was first reported Wednesday by TSN's Bob McKenzie that restricted free agent forward Tomas Hertl and the San Jose Sharks have agreed on a two-year, $6 million contract extension.
The contract was signed just days before the start of the free agency period, keeping the 22-year-old in San Jose until 2018. Hertl has been a key member of San Jose's young core, which helped propel the team to the Stanley Cup finals a few weeks ago.
The former first round draft pick of the 2012 draft missed the last four games of the finals against Pittsburgh, ending his season short due to a right knee injury.
Hertl scored 21 goals and 25 assists in 81 games last season, but put up an additional 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 20 playoff games. Over the course of his 200-game career, Hertl has scored 102 points (49 goals, 53 assists), including this gem from his rookie season:
That was just his third NHL game of his 19-year-old life and he put up four goals, only to end it with a between-the-legs beauty (Fun fact: that goal ended the career of New York Rangers netminder Martin Biron).
It's no secret Hertl has loads of potential - the second half of the season, he was promoted to the top line alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. As a group, they were considered one of the most productive top lines in the league.
In terms of plus/minus, Hertl was +16 in the regular season, ranking him third on the team behind linemates Thornton and Pavelski (both were +25).
The Sharks still have restricted free agents Matt Nieto, Dylan DeMelo and non-roster forward Ryan Carpenter left unsigned, but have already tendered qualifying offers to each.