Sharks re-sign Roenick, Boucher and Pavelski
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | 11:48 PM ET
CBC Sports
Jeremy Roenick will return to the San Jose Sharks and play in his 20th NHL season. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)With the NHL's free-agency period on the horizon, the San Jose Sharks were busy Wednesday locking up centres Joe Pavelski, Jeremy Roenick and backup goaltender Brian Boucher.
Both Boucher, 31, and Roenick, 38, were eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 and both inked one-year deals with the club, worth $650,000 US and $1.1 million respectively.
Pavelski, 23, was a restricted free agent and signed a two-year extension with the Sharks for $3.275 million.
"Joe had a strong year last year," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said of Pavelski, who had 19 goals and 40 points last season. "We think he's right on the right path. I think he can be a heck of a player in this league. His respect in the dressing room grew as the year went on."
Pavelski was at his best in the playoffs, where he tied for the team lead in scoring (five goals, four assists) before the Sharks were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs.
The native of Plover, Wisc., felt that adding strength was a key to his strong finish in 2007-08 and sees more opportunity to improve in the coming season.
"It was a good stepping stone," he said. "Last year, I felt like I got better as the year went on, and learned more. It's important this summer to continue to grow and improve on my skating ability and protecting the puck. A lot of that keeps coming from getting stronger. Strength is the big one for me. That will kind of lead into every aspect of the game."
Boucher joined the Sharks in a backup role behind Evgeni Nabakov in February, compiling a 3-1-1 record with a 1.76 goals-against average and .932 save percentage.
The former starter is content to rejoin the Sharks in a similar role this season.
"It's worked out nicely. I'm very fortunate," Boucher said. "With the team that we have, we're a Stanley Cup contender. You're in a situation where you can be a part of something real special.
"It's a great group of guys; I can't tell you how great that locker-room is," added Boucher. "It was such an enjoyable experience from top to bottom that it was really an easy decision to go back. I'm just happy they wanted me back."
With Boucher returning, Wilson has high hopes for his pair between the pipes next season.
"We think with him and Nabber, we have the best goalie tandem in the league," he said.
Roenick returns for 20th season
Roenick contemplated retirement before he decided to play his 19th NHL season with the Sharks in 2007-08. The decision to return to San Jose for his 20th was made a month ago and comes on the heels of a solid season.
The veteran still proved he could find the net with 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists). Ten of those goals were game winners, which put him second in the league in that category behind Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
"I can't give him enough credit for what he did last year," said Wilson. "It's one thing for a guy to say, 'Yeah, I want to play and I'll put the work in and get to the fitness level that I need to.' But he went and did it."
According to Wilson, Roenick's impact and value was also felt in the team's locker-room.
"Not only what he did on the ice but he also took some of the younger guys under his wing and had a huge impact on them," said Wilson. "He plays hard and wants to win. And he's at a much better fitness level now than he was last August."
In 1,321 NHL games played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose, Roenick has scored 509 career goals — placing him 36th in league history — and added 694 assists.
Those numbers rank the Boston native second in goals, sixth in assists and third in total points among American-born players.
With files from the Canadian Press
