SAN JOSE >> The Sharks are unceremoniously parting ways with one of the organization’s longest-tenured players, announcing Thursday that longtime NHL defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic will be placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout.

Vlasic, 38, was entering the final year of an eight-year, $56 million contract that carried an average annual value of $7 million. Vlasic was drafted by the Sharks in 2005 and played all of his 1,323 games with the franchise over 19 seasons, but is now set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

“This was a difficult decision to make today, with how much Marc has meant to the San Jose organization for 19 years,” said Sharks general manager Mike Grier, who played with Vlasic in San Jose from 2006 to 2009. “I was fortunate enough to be here with Marc for his first season with the Sharks, and knew he would become a great defenseman.

“Over the course of his career in the NHL, Vlasic was one of the premier shutdown defensemen, earning tough defensive assignments on the ice against the best players in the world and doing it with effectiveness.”

In January, Vlasic became just the 21st defenseman in NHL history to play in at least 1,300 games. With the departure, Vlasic leaves the Sharks second on the team’s all-time games played list, trailing only Patrick Marleau (1,607).

NHL teams have until Monday at 2 p.m. to buy out players’ contracts.

Vlasic, per PuckPedia, was set to make $3.5 million in base salary this upcoming season with a $2 million signing bonus. The move will save the Sharks $2,333,333 under the salary cap for this upcoming season, although the team already had tens of millions of dollars in available cap room.

Vlasic’s contract will stay on the Sharks’ books for the 2026-27 season at $1,166,667.