The San Jose Sharks have placed veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on waivers for the purpose of a buyout, effectively ending his long tenure with the team. The announcement signals a changing of the guard for the Sharks, who are moving on from a player who has been a fixture on their blue line for nearly two decades.
Vlasic, 38, was drafted by the Sharks in the second round (35th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and has played his entire 19-season NHL career in San Jose. He has appeared in 1,323 regular-season games, recording 84 goals and 295 assists for 379 points. Known for his defensive prowess, Vlasic was a mainstay on the Sharks' top pairing for many years, often tasked with shutting down the opposition's top forwards.
"This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. "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."
Vlasic's contributions to the Sharks extend beyond his on-ice performance. He has been a respected leader in the locker room and a mentor to younger players. He also represented Canada on multiple occasions, winning a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. Grier acknowledged Vlasic's impact on the franchise, stating, “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,” Grier said. “He will go down not only as one of the best defensemen in franchise history but one of the best players."
The decision to buy out Vlasic was likely driven by a combination of factors. Vlasic's performance had declined in recent years, and his $7 million annual salary no longer aligned with his on-ice contributions. The buyout will provide the Sharks with some salary cap relief, allowing them to pursue other players in free agency or give opportunities to younger defensemen.
According to PuckPedia, the buyout will result in a cap hit of approximately $4.66 million for the Sharks in 2025-26 and $1.16 million in 2026-27. While the Sharks will carry a cap penalty for the next two seasons, the long-term benefits of creating cap space and opening up a roster spot are seen as worthwhile.
If Vlasic clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent and be free to sign with any team. While it is unclear if he will continue his NHL career, his departure from San Jose marks the end of an era for the Sharks. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most dependable and respected players in franchise history.
