Sharks extend Marleau

Words cannot begin to describe how exuberant I am now that TSN is reporting the extension of Patty Marleau to a two-year, $12.6 million deal that will keep him in teal until at least 2010. Two years is a bit short as the Sharks captain will still be 30 and presumably productive at the end of the contract, but another extension is obviously plausible. To echo Mike Chen's sentiments, I'm probably even happier the ridiculous trade rumors that saw Marleau go to Montreal for Ryder, Halak and a pick, Edmonton for Horcoff and Staios and a bevy of other NHL cities for cooked-up "offers" will finally cease. The annual cap hit will be $2.1 million greater than Marleau's current impact on the salary cap, which may inhibit the signing of an RFA or two come a year from now, especially if the team refuses to raise its internal budget. Regardless, however, this is a great day in Sharks history and, along with the extensions of Thornton and Michalek earlier this summer, should ensure that San Jose will be a Cup contender for years to come.