NHL notebook

Sharks lock up pair

Associated Press / June 25, 2010

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After excelling in the regular season, the Olympics, and the playoffs, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski earned the right to test their worth on the free agent market.

But instead of looking for the biggest contract, the two star forwards decided to remain with the San Jose Sharks by signing four-year deals a week before becoming free agents.

“You want to be on a winning team and you want to allow the team to be able to bring in players or to keep players around in order for you to be a successful team and win,’’ Marleau said. “That’s definitely something we talked about and played a factor.’’

Marleau, who was eligible to be an unrestricted free agent Thursday, will reportedly receive $27.6 million. Pavelski, who could have been a restricted free agent, got $16 million.

General manager Doug Wilson said earlier in the week that it would be a “home run’’ if he could lock up his two most important potential free agents this week, and he was able to deliver.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt and history has shown that the marketplace would have been very friendly and kind to these two players,’’ said Wilson. “Supply and demand. It’s awfully rare that these type of players are available.’’

Owners agree on hits

Owners unanimously voted that blindside hits to the head will now result in a major penalty and ejection for offenders. This is the final step in the process that institutes in-game penalties for these hits next season. The rule now prohibits “lateral or blindside hits to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principle point of contact.’’ The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association also jointly announced that next season’s salary cap will be $59.4 million, up from $56.8 million. Teams must maintain a minimum payroll of $43.4 million . . . The Stanley Cup will make its first appearance in a gay-themed event this weekend. The Chicago Gay Hockey Association invited the Blackhawks to join Sunday’s Gay Pride Parade after the team won its first Cup title since 1961 — and the team said yes. Brent Sopel and his wife, Kelly, will accompany the Cup on a float. Sopel, who was traded this week to Atlanta, said he volunteered to honor the late son of Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, his former boss in Vancouver. Brendan Burke, 21, was killed in an auto accident in February, three months after publicly disclosing his homosexuality.