The San Jose Sharks were hoping to make a deeper run in the 2016-17 post season but they ran out of gas in the first round and lost 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers.
It was not for lack of effort or heart. The team left it all on the ice but just simply could not keep up with the younger Oilers and goalie Martin Jones was out-dueled by Cam 
Talbot.
The off season was always seen to be rife with intrigue as the Sharks were faced with the dilemma of letting one of their stalwarts go, either Patrick Marleau of Joe Thornton.
On the first day of free agency, the Sharks signed Thornton to a one-year deal worth $8 million.
“Joe has become one of the faces of this franchise since his arrival in 2005 and we feel it’s only fitting that he will be wearing teal going forward,” Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson said in a statement. “He is a generational playmaker and his accomplishments place him among the elite players to ever play the game. He has helped lead this team to new levels and continues to be one of the top two-way centers in the League. His leadership on and off the ice have been instrumental in this franchise’s success, and we’re excited that he has continued his commitment to this organization and the fans in San Jose.”
That meant Marleau was gone. The 37-year old signed a three-year deal for just under $19 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Thornton tried to get Marleau to stay in San Jose but the draw to the Leafs was too great.
With Marleau’s salary gone, that left the Sharks with north of $10 million in cap space. They signed restricted free agent Chris Tierney to a one-year deal for just under a million.
“We believe Chris has yet to hit his prime, but has already proven that he can be a key member on our penalty kill and the defensive side of the puck,” Wilson said of the signing. “We are excited to watch his offensive development as he continues to use his strong two-way hockey sense to impact the youthful infusion of our roster.”
Tierney had 23 points last season on 11 goals.
Marcus Sorensen, 25, was a restricted free agent for the Sharks and the two sides inked a two-year deal that keeps him in San Jose, either the Barracuda of the AHL or the big club.
In 19 games with the Sharks he picked up a goal and four points. With the Barracuda he 34 points on 17 goals.
“In Marcus’ first year in North America, he quickly showed that he is a skilled player with the ability to contribute to the team’s success,” said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will. “The time he spent with the Sharks this season, and the positive impact he had, proved that he can be an effective player at the highest level. We’re excited to see him compete for a spot with the Sharks at training camp in the fall.”
Two other signings were completed by the Sharks including a one-year, two-way contract with goaltender Antoine Bibeau from the Male Leafs’ system.
The other signing was Brandon Bollig away from the Calgary Flames’ Stockton Heat AHL club. Bollig scored 11 goals and kicked in 11 assists in 60 games in the AHL.
“Bollig is a competitive player who will add a tough edge to the Sharks,” Wilson said . “He brings with him a lot of playoff experience and a Stanley Cup Championship. His grit and physicality will be a great addition to our team.”
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