Long-time NHL veteran and former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski might've played his final game as the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Dallas Stars.
Long-time NHL veteran and former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski might've played his final game as the Edmonton Oilers eliminated the Dallas Stars.
While nothing is certain, the tea leaves suggest this is the end. Since joining the Stars on a three-year contract in 2019, Pavelski has signed two extensions during the season for 22-23 and 23-24. Pavelski did not sign any extension this season, meaning he faces free agency.
"There is a reason he is a very popular teammate. If you look at his last two contracts, Two years ago, when he signed for a year, I think he signed in March. Last year, when he extended for a year, he did it on the first day possible," Elliotte Friedman said on NHL Network. "This year, we don't have an extension. I think everybody understands what it means. I wasn't in the Dallas locker room postgame, but a couple of people told me that when the players were asked about Pavelski, some of them got really emotional."
Pavelski has had good production with Dallas, but that came to a halt during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 19 games, he scored one goal and had three assists. In 14 games during the 2023 playoffs, Pavelski had 14 points, including nine goals.
While nothing is decided, Pavelski's 18-year career should be celebrated. The 39-year-old went from a 7th-round pick in 2003 to one of the San Jose Sharks' all-time greatest players. In 13 seasons with San Jose, Pavelski had 761 points (355 goals, 406 assists) in 963 games.
Pavelski has had an illustrious career, but it is missing one thing: a Stanley Cup Championship. Unless he returns for one more season, he will join former teammates Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau in all-time great Sharks without a cup.
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The Hockey News