- 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.
LAS VEGAS — I put Tomas Hertl in a tough spot this afternoon.
Hertl, an impending UFA who’s been subject to a barrage of trade rumors in the lead-up to the Mar. 21 trade deadline, had just confirmed that he and the San Jose Sharks are still discussing a new contract. He did not say if San Jose had sent him a formal contract offer yet.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“I don’t really want to get too deep because I want to keep focusing [on hockey],” the top-line center offered. “But there was some talks lately. So we will see.”
At last check about three weeks ago, Sharks acting GM Joe Will painted a Kinkade-like portrait of the team’s negotiations with Tomas Hertl and his agent Craig Oster — which wasn’t exactly Hertl’s interpretation.