The San Jose Sharks signed center Joe Pavelski to a $30 million, five-year contract extension Tuesday that will keep him off the free-agent market next summer. "It's always exciting when a franchise puts that responsibility on you a little bit," Pavelski said. "It's important to continue to play at a high level in that regard. It's a position I wanted to be in, and it's exciting to have this opportunity." Pavelski is the second key player signed to an extension this offseason by general manager Doug Wilson. Center Logan Couture also signed a $30 million, five-year extension earlier this month, a year before he could become a free agent. The deals keep both players under contract through the 2018-19 season. Pavelski, a seventh-round pick in 2003, has become a cornerstone of the franchise that has long been led by Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. "He is one of our core players, the way he plays," Wilson said. "To me it was just an important contract to get done on the heels of Logan's contract also. He fits for now and the future the way he plays the game." Source: ESPN
