by By DAVID POLLAK MediaNews , Monterey County Herald

Wilson did extend qualifying offers to left wing Ryane Clowe, center Torrey Mitchell, goalie Thomas Greiss and right wing Brad Staubitz. If none are signed to new contracts by tonight, they become restricted free agents with the Sharks able to match any offer from another team or receive draft picks as compensation.

Other untethered players are forward Lukas Kaspar, Mike Morris, Ashton Rome, Riley Armstrong, T.J. Fox and goalie Taylor Dakers. Three are former first round draft picks ?Goc in 2001, Morris in 2002 and Kaspar in 2004.

Of the eight, Goc has the most NHL experience, playing in 265 games over four seasons. He had success in the faceoff circle and on the penalty kill, but his offense lagged as he never came close to matching the modest eight goals and 22 points of his rookie year.

Technically, Wilson could re-open talks with each player after July 1, but in Goc's case, that isn't likely to happen.

"I think it's probably time for him to move on for another opportunity," Wilson said. "He's very professional and he's a good man, but I think his game has leveled off with us."

Plihal played in 64 games for the Sharks last season ? nine more than the injury-plagued Goc ? and had five goals and 13 points. Other players who didn't get offers spent most or all of last season in the minors.

Monday was the NHL deadline for qualifying offers. Under terms of the NHL bargaining agreement, they carry a 10 percent raise for Staubitz, a 5 percent raise for Mitchell and Greiss, and no automatic increase for Clowe.

A qualifying offer can be the starting point for contract talks, and Wilson said negotiations are continuing with each.

BOX ? Swedish free agent goalie Jonas Gustavson could decide today which of four teams ? including the Sharks -- will have him in net next season. Gustavsson is weighing offers from San Jose, Toronto, Dallas and Denver.

BOX ? Sharks head trainer Ray Tufts and equipment manager Mike Aldrich were named Monday to the Team USA staff for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver next February. The two will be reunited there with former Sharks head coach Ron Wilson, who will be behind the bench for Team USA.

Copyright 2009 The Monterey County Herald All Rights Reserved
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.