Future for Thornton and Marleau in serious doubt.

The San Jose Sharks have the two best players in the history of their organization set to be free agents this summer, and by the sounds of it they aren't any closer to getting a deal done with either man. 

Sharks insider Kevin Kurnz is now reporting that general manager Doug Wilson is facing some of the most difficult decisions of his career and by the sounds of things it looks like there have been no talks behind the scenes between he and the representation for either player.

From Kurnz:

And, no, there are no back room handshake deals here between the Sharks and either of Thornton or Marleau, allowing the Sharks to protect extra players in the upcoming expansion draft. The two veterans are still pending unrestricted free agents in the truest sense, and it’s no certainty that either will return to San Jose.

Of the two free agents Kurnz believes that the Sharks are more likely to re-sign Thornton, a center, if only because he plays a more valuable position in the National Hockey League. It won't come cheap however, according to Kurnz Thornton will be seeking a deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-17 million over the next three years.

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Would the Sharks be willing to commit over $5 million against the cap for an aging Joe Thornton? If they don't you can bet that there is likely at least one NHL team out there willing to make exactly that level of commitment should it mean acquiring someone of Thornton's pedigree.

Kurnz believes that Marleau's future with the team is very much uncertain, as the veteran had previously demanded a trade to one of three teams in the past, and that alone may be enough to convince the Sharks to let him walk away as a free agent. The fact that Marleau is likely also seeking a multi-year contract will only add to the reluctance from San Jose to re-sign him.