- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Evander Kane was the story, but Tomas Hertl is who matters.
And after the San Jose Sharks’ listless 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, it’s hard to imagine the impending UFA signing up for eight more years of this.
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I understand that there’s been some whiplash if you’ve been on Hertl Watch.
Last Thursday, acting GM Joe Will painted a sunny picture of contract negotiations with Hertl’s camp: “The one thing we have in common is that Tomas loves being a Shark, and we love having Tomas here.”
A couple days later though, Hertl struck a more cautious tone, when asked if he was committed to staying in San Jose: “I’m not like saying anything 100 percent because nothing is ever 100 percent.