Forward Tomas Hertl may be one of the hottest players at the upcoming National Hockey League (NHL) trade deadline, but he’s not closed to continuing his career with the San Sharks. Joseph.
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The Czech center is spending the last year of a four-year, $22.5 million contract he signed with the “Sharks” in July 2018. Since last year, a no-trade clause allows him to choose three teams to which he would agree to be traded.
Asked if he wants to stay in San Jose, Hertl said he wasn’t “100% sure” and wanted to focus on the rest of the season.
“I can just say the Sharks are my team and I’m doing everything I can. We will see what will happen in four weeks or during the rest of the year,” said the 28-year-old player, whose comments were collected by the daily “The Mercury News”.
In 46 games this season, Hertl leads the team with 22 goals and ranks second in California for points with 38. Drafted in the first round at the 2012 auction, he has spent his entire career with the Sharks, amassing 361 points in 549 games.
“San Jose is still my home”
Assistant general manager Joe Will was optimistic on Friday about the man who inherited the nickname “Teenage Mutant Ninja Hertl” during his rookie season.
“We talked about a lot of things, and what we have in common is that Tomas loves being a Shark and we love having him here,” he said. Now it’s about finding a way to make that happen by negotiating his next contract, which we did.”
If he extends his stay in San Jose, Hertl could sign an eight-year pact. The duration of this next contract is particularly important for him, when he could only bind himself for seven seasons to a formation if he reached his autonomy.
“It’s always good to get more years in your contract, because you work hard for that moment and it only happens once or twice in your life,” Hertl said. You just want to get what you deserve.”
“If we get along, it will be fair for both parties. San Jose is still my home and I give everything I have to this team. We’ll see what happens in a few weeks.”
With a 22-20-4 record, the Sharks sit sixth in the Pacific Division, seven points from a playoff berth.