San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The San Jose Sharks have rewarded forwards Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton with three-year contract extensions through the 2016-17 season.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the San Jose Mercury News indicated that Marleau's deal is worth $6.66 million per year and Thornton's carries an annual value of $6.75 million.
Both were set to become free agents in July.
"Patrick and Joe continue to perform at an elite level in the National Hockey League and, most importantly, they make the other players around them better," said Sharks general manager Doug Wilson in a statement Friday. "They both made it very clear that they wanted to stay in San Jose and we were able to agree on contracts that fit with our team building philosophy."
The two 34-year-old veterans were the top two picks of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Thornton was selected first overall by Boston and the Sharks followed by choosing Marleau. San Jose acquired Thornton from the Bruins on Nov. 30, 2005.
Marleau is the Sharks' franchise leader in nearly every offensive category, including goals and points. He has 425 goals and 908 points in 1,216 NHL games. His 187 goals over the past six seasons are fourth-most in the NHL, behind only Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos and Corey Perry.
The Saskatchewan native has 21 goals and 26 assists for 47 points in 51 games this season.
Thornton leads the NHL with 47 assists and is tied for sixth in scoring with 53 points in 51 games. In 1,176 NHL games with the Sharks and Bruins, Thornton has 337 goals and 834 assists for 1,171 points. His point total is third among active players.
The Sharks have the most wins and points in the NHL since acquiring Thornton, who is the league's second-leading scorer during the same time frame, behind only Washington's Alex Ovechkin.
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