The San Jose Sharks have placed veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic on unconditional waivers, aiming to buy out the final year of his contract, which would save the team $2.3 million against the salary cap while incurring an additional $1.2 million in the following season. This marks the end of a nearly two-decade career with the Sharks for the 38-year-old, who has played all 1,465 NHL games with the franchise since his debut in 2006.

General Manager Mike Grier expressed the emotional difficulty behind this decision, acknowledging Vlasic's significant contributions during the Sharks' playoff runs and his role in their 2016 Stanley Cup Final appearance. Recognized as one of the NHL's top shutdown defensemen, Vlasic represented Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and has been a vital part of the team's identity and defensive strategy over the years.

San Jose Sharks' defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has made history by breaking the NHL shot-blocking record, achieving his 2,165th career block against the Buffalo Sabres. This milestone surpasses the previous record of 2,164 held by Mark Giordano, a formidable defender who played for several teams including Calgary, Toronto, and Seattle. Vlasic, now 37, has dedicated his entire career to the Sharks since debuting in 2006, showcasing his commitment to strong defensive play.

In reflecting on his achievement, Vlasic expressed pride in his ability to block shots, a crucial aspect of defense that often goes unnoticed. He emphasized the mentality required to step in front of pucks to protect his goalie, highlighting the physical toll this role can take. Such dedication exemplifies the grit and resilience that NHL players must possess to excel in their careers.

In a resounding victory, the San Jose Sharks defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-2, marking their second consecutive win. This game was particularly historic as Marc-Edouard Vlasic set the NHL record for all-time blocked shots, surpassing the previous record with a total of 2,165. Coach Ryan Warsofsky emphasized the importance of these "little things" in developing a strong culture within the team, highlighting that goals and assists are secondary to such pivotal moments.

The Sharks' scoring was spread across multiple players, including Timothy Liljegren, Nico Sturm, William Eklund, Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Tyler Toffoli, all contributing to a dominant performance against the Sabres. With this victory, the Sharks are showing signs of improvement, building momentum as the season progresses.

James van Riemsdyk netted two goals, leading the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, marking their six-game win streak, the franchise's longest since January 2020. Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli also contributed, with Fantilli extending his point streak to eight games. The Blue Jackets showcased strong performance at home, improving to 16-5-3, while Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev faced 34 shots.

On a night celebrating Marc-Édouard Vlasic's 1,300th game, the Sharks struggled, managing only one goal from Tyler Toffoli. Columbus dominated early, scoring three unanswered goals and controlling the pace of the game, especially in the first two periods. Zach Werenski’s assist on Fantilli’s goal extended his home point streak to 18 games, tying him for the sixth-longest defenseman streak in NHL history.

The San Jose Sharks ended their eight-game winless streak by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Thursday night. Tyler Toffoli opened the scoring with a skillful toe drag for his 15th goal of the season, followed by Mario Ferraro's goal in the second period, marking the Sharks' first home victory since November 29.

Despite a solid performance from Yaroslav Askarov, who made 24 saves, the Sharks struggled previously with only one win in 12 games. The Lightning, who had been performing well with six wins in eight games, failed to capitalize on their chances against San Jose.