The San Jose Sharks have decided to place Marc-Edouard Vlasic on waivers to buy him out on Thursday.
Vlasic is the Sharks’ longest-tenured player and was entering the final year of an eight-year, $56,000,000 contract. Vlasic has spent his entire career with the San Jose Sharks. He’s played 1,323 regular-season games and 142 playoff games.
Sharks general manager Mike Grier released a statement about the decision to buy out Vlasic:
“This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years. I was fortunate enough to be here with Marc for his first season with the Sharks, and knew he would become a great defenseman. Over the course of his career in the NHL, Vlasic was one of the premier shutdown defensemen, earning tough defensive assignments on the ice against the best players in the world and doing it with effectiveness.”
“With over 1,300 games in the NHL, he brought immense expertise and experience to the organization daily, and was selected to represent his country on multiple occasions at the highest level. He will go down not only as one of the best defensemen in franchise history, but one of the best players.”
“We want to thank him for his dedication and commitment to the organization, and wish him all the best.”
Sharks contract breakdown after Vlasic’s buyout
According to PuckPedia’s buyout calculator, Vlasic’s contract will stay on the Sharks’ books for two seasons. For the upcoming 25-26 season, Vlasic’s new cap hit will be $4,666,667 instead of $7 million. His cap hit will drop again in year two, down to $1,166,667.
This move might come as a slight surprise. Vlasic no longer fits the team’s direction on the ice. However, with significant room needed to fill to reach the cap floor, Vlasic’s contract would have been valid.
This move signals that the San Jose Sharks are moving on from the old core completely. Vlasic was the last player of the group that took the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016. Logan Couture’s retirement left Vlasic as the last remaining member from that team.
Once Vlasic clears waivers on Friday, his contract will be bought out.
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