Sorry, Sharks fans. Joe Pavelski wants to remain with the Dallas Stars
SAN JOSE — Sharks fans hoping for a reunion between their favorite team and Joe Pavelski might not want to hold their breath.
Pavelski said Saturday morning at SAP Center that his first choice when it comes to signing his next contract is to remain with the Dallas Stars.
Pavelski, one of the Sharks’ most popular and productive players in his 13 seasons in San Jose, is in the final year of a three-year, $21 million contract he signed with the Stars in July 2019.
Pavelski, 37, would no doubt be sought after by a handful of NHL teams should he become an unrestricted free agent next summer. He entered Saturday’s game at SAP Center with 21 points in 24 games, averaging close to 17 minutes of ice time as one of the Stars’ top-six forwards.
But Pavelski, the Sharks’ captain from 2015 to 2019, would like to stay in Dallas if something could be arranged. He has 103 points in 157 games with the Stars and was a major reason why the team made its run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final in the bubble in Edmonton.
“We love it there,” Pavelski said of his wife, Sarah, and their son, Nate. “Things couldn’t be any better for us right now. Really enjoy the guys in the locker room and the team. For us right now, that’s probably the number one option.”
On the Sharks’ all-time list, Pavelski is fourth in games played (963), second in goals (355), and third in assists (406) and points (761).
Asked if he keeps the door open to a return to San Jose — assuming there would be interest from the Sharks — Pavelski said with a smile, “we’re going to try to get through this year first, and then we’ll figure it out.”
Pavelski said he’s been impressed with how the Sharks have played so far this season. The Sharks entered Saturday with a 14-12-1 record and 29 points, one point ahead of the Stars (13-9-2).
“They’re playing good hockey,” Pavelski said. “They’re a team that works extremely hard. And that’s the message. You’ve got to be ready to go against these guys. They’re going to compete. It’s good to see.”
REIMER BACK: James Reimer will start Saturday night as he plays his first game since his Nov. 30 start against the New Jersey Devils. Reimer said he tweaked something in his lower body after that start but has slowly been able to work his way back after he took part in Thursday’s pregame warmups and Friday’s optional practice.
“It’s feeling a lot better now. So, looking forward to tonight,” Reimer said Saturday morning.