Sharks negotiating extension with Hertl, not looking to trade him

Tomas Hertl could be one of the most coveted targets at the NHL trade deadline if he can't agree on a contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, but assistant general manager Joe Will isn't entertaining that possibility.

"Don't have any interest in doing anything outside of just working on negotiations and signing him," the executive told The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.

Will, who's essentially the Sharks' acting GM with Doug Wilson on medical leave, confirmed Friday that discussions about a new pact for the talented forward are underway.

"We've talked about a lot of things, and the one thing we have in common is that Tomas loves being a Shark, and we love having Tomas here," Will said. "So now it's finding a way to have that happen through negotiation and talking about the next contract for him, which we have done."

Hertl is a pending unrestricted free agent in the final season of the four-year deal he inked with the Sharks in 2018. It carries a $5.625-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.

The 28-year-old leads San Jose with 22 goals and ranks second with 38 points in 46 games this season. He's played his entire nine-year career with the Sharks. The club drafted him 17th overall in 2012.