That will take some getting used to.
Joe Pavelski has played his entire NHL career with the Sharks, but San Jose's captain now has a new team, and it might be tough for some fans to swallow.
Pavelski is headed to the Dallas Stars.
Captain America comes to Dallas!
Welcome to the Stars, Joe Pavelski! #GoStars pic.twitter.com/JYlUPCwibi— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 1, 2019
That ... just doesn't look right.
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Alas, it's real. Pavelski's deal with Dallas is for three years and $21 million. It's fair market value for a player who led San Jose with 38 goals last season, but it's more than the Sharks could afford for an aging center who will turn 35 years old later this month.
The Dallas Stars have signed three-time All-Star @jpav8 to a three-year, $21M contract with an AAV of $7M. #GoStars https://t.co/vPCA0f9sO7— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 1, 2019
Pavelski finishes his Sharks career having tallied 355 goals and 406 assists in 963 games with San Jose, ranking in the top four in each category in franchise history. The Sharks surely would have preferred to retain Pavelski, but it was unlikely to begin with, due to San Jose being in a salary-cap crunch.
Earlier in the day, the Sharks reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Timo Meier.
[RELATED: Nyquist signs four-year contract with Blue Jackets]
While it will be tough for the Sharks to see Pavelski go to a longtime rival, he'll go down as one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
#SharksForLife #ThankYouPavs https://t.co/29JFMmWhxV pic.twitter.com/gbXadN8HGS— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 1, 2019
Pavelski signing in Dallas causes two further changes. One, Pavelski will have to find a new number, as his traditional No. 8 has been retired by the Stars.
And, from San Jose's perspective, it's time to name another captain. The smart money is on Logan Couture.
