Karlsson leaving Sharks organization

Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty ImagesOnce a proud organization with three Karlssons and two Joes, the San Jose Sharks are left with just one of these players in 2020.

Melker Karlsson already passed last night’s midnight deadline to sign with the Sharks to a maximum deal, though the Sharks were never going to throw eight years at fourth-line forward. But per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now, the 30-year-old Karlsson will be exploring his options in free agency, which opened at noon on Friday.

Nicknamed “the Melkman,” the Swedish winger was signed by the Sharks in May 2014. For the most part, he’s been with the big club since, with just parts of the AHL seasons (24 games) under his…