SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks picked up their $3 million contract option for next season on Mike Ricci, a dependable two-way center and one of the team's most popular players.

Doug Wilson's first significant personnel decision as the Sharks' new general manager was an easy one. Ricci is one of San Jose's few remaining veteran leaders following a series of trades during a dismal regular season that led to the franchise's current retooling.

Ricci was the Sharks' fifth-leading scorer with 11 goals and 34 points. Along with many of his teammates, he struggled with injuries and meager production as San Jose sank to last place in the Pacific Division, which it won in 2002.

"I think it'll always be deep down in everyone's stomach," Ricci said of the Sharks' lost season. "A lot of good people are gone, and the guys who are still here have taken it on themselves to turn things around.

"We definitely know we can make the playoffs again. Other than that, we're going to start from scratch."

The Sharks on Thursday also signed defenseman Doug Murray, who played at Cornell last season. Murray, the Sharks' eighth-round draft pick in 1999, was the Ivy League's player of the year in 2001-02.

Wilson still hasn't heard from center Vincent Damphousse, who must decide by July 1 whether to exercise his $4 million option for next season -- but for the first time Thursday, Wilson said the Sharks hope their second-leading scorer will return.

"He's in a situation to make the choice on what's best for him," Wilson said. "If he decides to come back, we have high expectations."

The Sharks' decision to keep Ricci and their hopes of retaining Damphousse indicate the team might not plan on slashing its payroll down to $30 million or less, as many expected when new owner Greg Jamison hired Wilson to replace Dean Lombardi earlier this month.

Wilson, a former San Jose captain, believes better days are near for the Sharks. He likes the vibe at their training complex, where many players are spending most of the offseason in daily workouts.

"You can feel a certain momentum starting to build," Wilson said. "People are anxious to get this going in the right direction."

Last season, San Jose traded nearly half of its roster, including longtime captain Owen Nolan, and fired coach Darryl Sutter while sinking to 24th place in the overall NHL standings. What's more, Teemu Selanne -- the Sharks' leading scorer -- declined his player option and intends to test the free agent market.

The Sharks will be younger and cheaper next season, but Wilson also sees the importance of maintaining at least part of the current core.

Wilson hopes to re-sign veteran left wing Adam Graves, though the Sharks don't intend to pick up his $3 million option for next season. Wilson already has spoken to Graves about returning at a lower salary -- or perhaps in another role with the organization.

Wilson also plans to have preliminary discussions with all of the Sharks' restricted free agents by the weekend.

The Sharks have been plagued by more significant contract holdouts than any team in recent seasons, but Wilson has high hopes of signing Marco Sturm, Patrick Marleau, Scott Hannan, Alyn McCauley and Jonathan Cheechoo before training camp.

Wilson also hopes to re-sign talented forward Alex Korolyuk, who spent last season in his native Russia after clashing with Sutter over playing time.