Tomas Hertl is entering a contract year, and he appears to be unsure about whether he will return to the organization after the 2021-22 season.
“I wonder if San Jose will want to re-sign me, and if I’ll want to stay there,” Hertl told iDNES.cz (h/t Kevin Kurz/The Athletic). “I don’t want to think about it so it doesn’t negatively affect me. I’ll start the season and see how it turns out.”
Hertl has played in San Jose for the past eight seasons since being a first-round draft pick of the club in 2012. Over 50 games last season, Hertl had 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists).
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The Sharks have seen some familiar faces move on this offseason, as general manager Doug Wilson continues what he deems a "reset" of the organization. After competing for the postseason in just about every one of Hertl's seasons with the team, the Sharks have been near the bottom of the standings in each of the last two years.
Whether Hertl will want to be part of that roster reset and helping build the Sharks back into a contender in the West remains to be seen, but the 27-year-old definitely would have interest if he were placed on the trade block or enters free agency after next season.