Sharks sign Tomas Hertl to two-year, $6 million bridge deal

Tomas Hertl is likely smiling as usual today after signing a two-year, $6 million extension with the San Jose Sharks, per TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

The 22-year-old Hertl scored 21 goals and 46 points in 81 points with the Sharks in 2015-16. He was also a big factor in San Jose’s run to the Stanley Cup Final with six goals and 11 points in 20 playoff games. His $3 million salary is a nice raise from the $925,000 he made the last three seasons.

Hertl was one of four Sharks restricted free agents issued qualifying offers on Tuesday, joining Ryan Carptener, Matt Nieto and Dylan DeMelo. It’s a solid deal for San Jose with a reasonable cap hit and keeps the young forward an RFA when the deal expires in 2018. It also gives GM Doug Wilson some flexibility to dip into the UFA market beginning Friday as the team has just over $9 million in cap space, according to General Fanager.

Hertl missed the last four games of the Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins following a hit by Patric Hornqvist in Game 2. Fortunately for him and the Sharks no surgery is required on his right knee and he hopes be ready for the World Cup of Hockey in September.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy