The San Jose Sharks have reportedly agreed to terms with one of their young building blocks, locking up centre Logan Couture. Financial Terms of the deal are not yet released, but we will endeavor to keep you updated when they do come out.
Edit: Pierre Lebrun of TSN/ESPN is reporting it is a long term extension in the neighbourhood of 5 to 6 years.
Edit 2: Bob McKenzie of TSN reports the deal is for 5 years at $6 million per season.
The 24-year-old Couture put up 21 goals and 37 points in 48 games for San Jose last season. His 21 goals led the team, and the 37 points were second only to Joe Thornton amongst Sharks players. He followed up that breakthrough with 5 goals and 11 points in 11 playoff games, despite playing on an injured ankle.
Couture, had one season remaining on the two-year, $5.75 million deal he signed in 2012, and was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season. Techinically he can not officially sign his extension with the Sharks until July 5th, however much like Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh, it appears that the numbers have been worked out and July 5th will be a matter of dotting the “I”s and crossing the “T”s.
The 9th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Couture has 89 career goals and 167 career points, in 232 career games, all with the Sharks. He has emerged as one of the best young players on the Sharks roster.
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