Hertl and Eklund both have uncertain futures in San Jose

Sharks star Tomas Hertl and upcoming rookie William Eklund both appear to have somewhat hazy futures in San Jose. Hertl is entering the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson and Hertl have not had any serious extension conversations, and Hertl doesn't seem very pressed about the issue. He hopes that the team can be competitive, and if the culture changes, he will be more inclined to stay in teal.

«Yeah, for sure,» Hertl said Sunday afternoon. «I say many times (San Jose) is my home, and I love to play here. End of the day, we have to find a way (for) me and Doug to talk (about) the deal, too, because I don't know what he's thinking. I know he wants me to stay, but you want to be always fair for both sides.»

«When we get time, we will for sure talk and I'll be looking to be here but I don't know his ideas and stuff. But now, I'm just looking to play hockey and be the best player I can for my team.»

Hertl was also enthusiastic about how the organization has changed over the past month and a half.

«I think we've got really good young guys who stepped up and showed (they) could play,» he said. «For us, it will be a team effort all season long because we don't have skill like Toronto and other teams.»

«For sure, the locker room (has) so much energy. Everybody (is) just like so happy in (the) locker room. We're winning. After the game, it doesn't matter who scored. (Through the first four games) it was (Logan Couture's) line, but everybody (is) just happy because only winning matters. Now in the locker room, I feel like everybody wants to just win the game because it was hard last year. So, it's really nice to see (that).»

William Eklund on the other hand is facing whether or not he will be playing in the NHL for the rest of the season or not. Eklund skated the first four games on the second line with Hertl, but was scratched for veteran Alexander Barabanov in the fifth game of the season. Eklund struggled in the back-to-back games against Ottawa and Toronto and adapting to the NHL has been a tough process.

«I've never done it before,» Eklund said about playing NHL games on consecutive nights. «It's going to be a learning process for me. But, I know I'll get better every game.»

Eklund's goal still remains to play in the NHL for the entirety of the season and it doesn't seem that the looming decision is taking a toll on the rookie.

«No, I haven't really thought of that. Just playing to stay the whole season,» he said. «That's my goal.»

Hertl and Eklund are both vital pieces of what success the Sharks will have this season. It could determine whether or not Hertl stays in San Jose after this season, and Eklund has about 5 more games to prove that he deserves to stay in the NHL.

theathletic.com

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