- 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.
“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.