Sharks extend offers to Meier, Labanc, Gambrell

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks have issued qualifying offers to restricted free agent forwards Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Dylan Gambrell.

The team declined Tuesday to make an offer to defenseman Joakim Ryan, making him an unrestricted free agent next month.

The 26-year-old Ryan had no goals and seven assists in 44 games this past season. He has played 106 games over the past two years but was expendable after San Jose re-signed Erik Karlsson to an eight-year, $92 million contract earlier this month.

Meier had 30 goals and 36 assists this season and San Jose wants to keep him as one of its top six forwards.

Labanc had 17 goals and 39 assists this past season.

Gambrell had no points in eight regular-season games, but scored a goal in the playoffs.

The Sharks also gave qualifying offers to forwards Maxim Letunov and Antti Suomela; and defensemen Nick DeSimone and Kyle Wood.