[When it comes time to talk San Jose Sharks hockey, it’s time to Jump the Shark(ie). A column based on my thoughts, observations, and commentary on my favorite NHL franchise - and named in homage to one really crappy episode of Happy Days that more or less, signified the coming of the end ]

The Sharks cleared one thing up for their future, while another is still up in the air. Today San Jose signed Milan Michalek to a six year contract extension… being that he is 22 years old that’s a good move to hold onto their winger through age 28… at which time he’ll probably start to decline a little bit, have a few more injuries, and could be too expensive to keep.

Michalek jumped from 35 to 66 points over the last two seasons and by the time he is 24 or 25 I can see Michalek 80 points per season. The question that remains is who will be centering the line for Michalek? One option would be to put him up on the first line, but really the Sharks rotate their wingers so frequently it’s impossible to project him onto a line. And even if I could, that still does not mean that I’d be able to tell you who his center might be.

The reason for that of course is that Patrick Marleau, the team’s captain, is well-known to be up on the trading block much in the same fashion that two years ago the team traded away the likes of Marco Sturm. The thing about Marleau is that it’s hard to justify his contract and investing in him as the future as it looks like he is going to max out at 80 points a year… maybe 90-100 if the situation was perfect, but really he is one of the best second line centers.

The rumors are probably just that though; I have not really seen many actual rumors surface, so unless one does I’m going to have to assume that the trade rumors may be a way to get Pat to sign an extension at the home town discount.