SAN JOSE — The Sharks acknowledged Friday a “small dip” in season-ticket renewals after their epic playoff loss to the Los Angeles Kings, but chief operating officer John Tortora said it was no greater than the drop-off following other recent first-round eliminations.

About 89 percent signed on for another season, Tortora said — above the NHL average and not far from the renewal rate when the team does advance in the post-season.

“What we’ve seen generally is if we go past the first round, we’re renewing at about 92 percent,” he said, adding that the numbers for this summer “are not any more dramatic than 2012 when we lost to St. Louis in the first round.”

The Sharks’ failure to put away the Kings last April after taking a three-game lead prompted general manager Doug Wilson to talk about “taking one step backward to take two steps forward” before the mid-June ticket renewal deadline. Other events that stirred the fan base — additional talk of a rebuild, the decision not to bring back popular TV analyst Drew Remenda, the hiring of ice girls — came after that deadline had passed.

Any fan concerns after tickets already had been renewed were dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

While the renewal rate was down, Tortora said the team will begin the season with about the same number of seats available for single-game sales — 3,000 — because other fans did buy season tickets for the first time. Some, he said, were motivated by early access to tickets for the outdoor game Feb. 21 at Levi’s Stadium.

“We expect, as we have been every year, to be at or near capacity during this upcoming regular season,” Tortora said.

Tortora, the team’s top business executive, discussed other aspects of the team’s finances in a wide-ranging, exclusive interview.

He said the Sharks finished roughly $10 million in the red last season, an improvement over the previous two years but still not the sustainable business model sought by owner Hasso Plattner, who covered nearly all of that loss in what has become an annual cash call.

To better its economic picture, the team is hoping to improve its long-term TV deal with its broadcast partner, Comcast. Those talks have been continuing, Tortora said, and Comcast “remains receptive to working with us.”

One report earlier had suggested that if the Sharks continue to suffer financial losses, the team would consider moving from San Jose with a new arena near Levis’ Stadium in Santa Clara as one potential option.

Tortora again played down that likelihood, saying “our focus has been to figure out a long-term solution to stay in San Jose.” While the team does not see the need for a new arena, he added, it is important to work cooperatively with the city “to figure out a way to maintain and fund the necessary capital repairs that a 21-year-old facility needs.”

Most of the updating is needed behind the scenes, he added, citing the need to finish the replacement of the roof at SAP Center as one example. Conversations to set priorities are already under way, he added.

“We recognize what’s around us, but we’re pursuing San Jose and they’re pursuing us,” Tortora said.

Tortora said the team continues to look for new ways to connect with its base and said the Friday announcement of a Sept. 17 “Fan Fest” at the SAP Center was one example. Following the path taken by other NHL teams, San Jose is inviting fans to a free day of inter-acting with players that includes a practice at the arena and autograph sessions afterward.

In addition, he said, the Sharks are forming their first alumni association that will make former players more visible in the community.

As for the one upcoming change that drew the ire of a segment of the fan base, Tortora said no final decision been made on the various uniforms to be worn by the men and women who have been chosen to be part of the new “ice team” responsible for cleaning the playing surface during games.

Three or four different uniforms will be worn during the season, he added, but “all will be appropriate and tasteful for San Jose.”

When the “ice team” makes its debut has yet to be determined, Tortora said. It won’t be in the pre-season and might not be the Oct. 11 home opener, he added, but will come some time over the first two months.