The San Jose Sharks announced the signings of several players with the start of free agency.
Jacob Peterson
Jacob Peterson signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775k AAV prior to the start of free agency. Peterson (23) was acquired last season from the Dallas Stars in exchange for Scott Reedy. Peterson scored 8 points in 11 games with the San Jose Barracuda and 6 points in 8 games for the Sharks, playing mostly top 6 mins. Peterson should be considered a favorite to win one of the open spots in training camp.
Eetu Makiniemi
Eetu Makiniemi signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775k AAV prior to the start of free agency. Makiniemi (24) was part of the Brent Burns trade with the Carolina Hurricanes that sent the bearded defenseman to Carolina in exchange for Steven Lorentz, Makiniemi, and a 2023 third-round pick. Makiniemi played 22 games with the Barracuda last season and posted a 2.96 GAA and a .900 sv% with two shutouts. The Finnish netminder also made his NHL debut, where he played two games and posted a 2.13 GAA and a .906 sv%. Makiniemi has struggled with injuries the last two seasons, unable to finish either campaign. He should be the starting goaltender for the Barracuda this season.
Fabian Zetterlund
Fabian Zetterlund signed a two-year contract worth $1.45m AAV. Zetterlund (23) was acquired in the blockbuster trade that sent Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils. Before the trade, Zetterlund had six goals and 20 points in 45 games for the Devils but struggled to establish his role on a Sharks team that was nowhere near competing. He ended up with three assists in 22 games in teal. Zetterlund will be expected to contribute in the Sharks’ middle six next season.
Mackenzie Blackwood
After trading for Mackenzie Blackwood earlier this week from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick, the Sharks announced a two-year contract worth $2.25m AAV. Blackwood (26) debuted for the Devils during the 2018-19 season. Once considered the goalie of the future after the COVID-shortened season, Blackwood posted a 2.77 GAA and a .915 sv%, with three shutouts in 47 games. Since then, Blackwood has struggled with injuries and constancy, leading to his eventual benching this season. The former second-round pick should compete with Kaapo Kahkonen for the starting netminder this season to try and turn around his career.
Kyle Burroughs
Kyle Burroughs signed a three-year contract worth $1.1m AAV. Burroughs (27) is a right-handed defensive-oriented defenseman. Last season for the Vancouver Canucks, he posted 5 points in 48 games while playing a career-high average of 17:22 a night. The former seventh-round pick of the New York Islanders made his debut with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021 before signing a two-year deal with the Canucks. With Erik Karlsson (for now) and Matt Benning as the only right-handed defenseman on the roster, Burroughs should be a lock to make the Sharks’ and be a major contributor on the penalty kill.
Givani Smith
Givani Smith signed a two-year contract worth $800k AAV. Smith (25) played for the Detroit Red Wings and the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) before being traded to the Florida Panthers, where he also played for the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. Smith scored four points in 34 games for the Panthers. The former 2016 second-round pick had eight fighting majors last season and should take over the Jonah Gadjovich role for the Sharks. Expect Smith to play on both the Sharks and Barracuda (assuming he clears waivers) next season.
Ryan Carpenter
Ryan Carpenter signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775k AAV. Carpenter (32) was a former Sharks prospect after signing out of Bowling Green State University, where he was the Captain. After being placed on waivers by the Sharks, the Vegas Golden Knights claimed him, and he has bounced around the league since. Last year he spent most of the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, where he had 44 points in 51 games. Carpenter also played 22 games with the New York Rangers, where he had three points. Carpenter should take the Andrew Agozzino role on the Barracuda, where he will help develop some of the young forwards and can be called up in a pinch.
Scott Sabourin
Scott Sabourin signed a two-year, two-way contract worth $775k AAV. Sabourin (30) is a career AHL player who has over 400 games played for six different franchises. He scored 33 points in 51 games for the Belleville Senators while racking up 177 PIMS. The 6’4″ forward should add some more grit and toughness to a Barracuda forward group that features mostly forwards under 6’0″.
