The new league year has begun.
The 2025-26 season ended when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup.
However, July 1st marks the first day of the 2026-27 league year. Free agency is the headline event.
Many thought the San Jose Sharks would be fairly quiet. That was absolutely not the case.
Let’s have a look at the wild first day of the year.
Mason Marchment
Credit: San Jose Sharks-Twitter/XThis was a bit of a surprise. The Sharks are already heavy on forwards, both prospects and under contract. GM Mike Grier traded William Eklund last week, seemingly to make room for Ivar Stenberg. However, Mason Marchment was the first signing by the Sharks.
This is definitely a sentimental signing. Marchment’s father, Bryan Marchment. Bryan was a Shark for four and a half seasons, from 1998 to 2003. In 2008, after his playing career, he became a scout for the Sharks and eventually worked his way up to a role in player development. Sadly, Bryan passed away the night before the 2022 NHL Draft. It was an emotional blow to the Sharks organization.
Now, Mason has found his way home. He will bring a tough tenacity to the Sharks with some scoring pop. Expect to watch Marchment on Alexander Wennberg’s wing.
Marchment signs for 5 years, $6.75 million AAV.
Jacob Trouba
Some people seem to have a problem with the Jacob Trouba signing. Take a second and think about it, though. This was a great addition for the Sharks. Trouba is a veteran, former captain of the New York Rangers. He brings a leadership role to the Sharks’ dressing room.
And he can hit people. Hard. That is the physicality the Sharks need. They need an enforcer-type player to protect guys like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa.
Trouba also addresses a dire need: right-side defense. The Sharks added depth to that position in the Draft, but they likely will need a year or two to develop. Trouba will fill the void in the interim. In terms of the money, his contract is very front- loaded. So when the young guys are ready for their big paydays, Trouba’s contract will not be an issue.
Trouba signs for 4 years, $8.25 million AAV.
Eric Comrie
The Sharks added goalie depth by signing Eric Comrie.
Expect him to play mostly with the Barracuda, unless (knock on wood) either Yaroslav Askarov or Alex Nedeljkovic sustains an injury.
Comrie signs for 2 years, $1.15 million AAV.
Darnell Nurse
Here is the transaction that nobody seems to be happy with. The Sharks traded Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zach Sharp to the Edmonton Oilers for Darnell Nurse. No salary retention kept by the Oilers. That is the problem I have.
The Oilers were in a very rough salary cap position. The Sharks essentially bailed them out—a division rival. Plus, the Sharks gave up Mukhamadullin! It just was not a good look, especially after the masterclass of a Draft Grier put on.
Nurse has not been the same player since he first received his large contract. However, Grier expects him to be a “minutes-eating top-pair defenseman.” Who knows, maybe a change of scenery can help Nurse recapture some of his old form.
Nurse has 4 years remaining, $9.25 million AAV.
Sharks Departures
With the additions, that means the Sharks had to bid farewell to their own free agents. Mario Ferraro signed a three-year deal with the Winnipeg Jets. Vincent Desharnais has been with the Washington Capitals for four years. Nick Leddy, John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, Pavol Regenda, and Philipp Kurashev remain unsigned.
The Sharks also need to sign RFA Collin Graf. Due to his qualifying offer, Graf is unable to sign an offer sheet from another team. Meaning, Graf can only sign with the Sharks. Maybe that was Grier’s thinking. Graf is guaranteed to be a Shark, so take care of other free agents and circle back when the frenzy is over. Either way, get Graf signed long-term, Grier.
The Sharks have gone through a bit of a turnover. Plenty of new faces will be on the ice come October. All in all, though, the Sharks have improved.
So much so, they should be a playoff team next season. Good times are coming, Sharks fans.
