It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in the dog days of summer, but there’s plenty going on in the hockey world. General managers usually take the spotlight in the summer months as they try to bolster their respective rosters. However, players are also trying to figure out what to do next in their careers. Some players are looking for new teams before training camp. Players are hoping a team takes a chance on them to at least get a tryout.
One defenceman that played for the San Jose Sharks is trying to latch onto a new club. This edition of NHL rumours delves into that.
All NHL rumours come from the original source.
NHL Rumours
Former San Jose Sharks Defender Looking for New Team
Rumour: Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News talked to longtime blueliner Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who was bought out in the summer. Vlasic is hoping to continue his career somewhere in the league.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic questions why the #SJSharks didn’t inform him earlier of buyout possibility https://t.co/jM2wwPA6cl
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) August 15, 2025
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Analysis: The veteran defenceman was taken aback by getting bought out by the Sharks. Vlasic was told that he was playing well and he was helping the younger players along. He was also told by San Jose management that “they wanted me to do that next year, so when I left, I thought I’d come back.”
However, Sharks General Manager Mike Grier decided that he wanted to create space to improve the defensive group. San Jose did make a number of moves to supplement their ranks like adding Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy.
Vlasic seemed to be the odd-man out and he was bought out by the Sharks. The veteran defenceman is 38 years old, but he’s not planning on calling it a career just yet.
He wants to find a way onto roster to see if he can contribute to a roster. Retirement isn’t on the Montreal native’s mind at this point in time.
What It Means
There’s usually a market for veteran blueliners as we saw in the free agent frenzy. We saw plenty of teams fall over themselves in order to add defensive help.
Vlasic may be in the latter stages of his career. However, he could be a bottom-pair defenceman that could be had at a low salary cap hit. The former 2006-06 All-Rookie team selection is getting nearly $5 million from his buyout with the Sharks.
Vlasic also indicated to Pashelka that he’s not picky about where he wants to play. The veteran defenceman said that he’ll play for any team looking to give him a shot.
He mentioned teams like the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. However, those were just clubs he randomly named and he’d likely to sign with any other club that’s looking to roll the dice and sign him.
Vlasic is first looking to take care of things at him due to his new baby arriving soon. He’ll worry about finding a new team after that, but he could be a team that someone signs to a PTO or a low-cost contract.
Main photo by: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
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