With the season over and some time before the draft, the San Jose Sharks can begin to examine which of the free agents the team wants to keep in the fold and which ones it will allow to walk. With reinforcements coming in the form of the 2023 and 2024 draft picks, it looks like the Sharks will have some serious decisions to make about some young restricted free agents as well as some of the unrestricted free agents currently on the roster. What happened in the postseason with the Barracuda could have a huge impact on who gets a new contract and who does not.
So, while we still have some time, let’s look at where the Sharks stand with its free agents, including who might be around next season and whose tenure in San Jose is likely over.
Klim Kostin – restricted free agent
Klim Kostin is a restricted free agent this season, but given how his time in San Jose has gone, it’s hard to see the forward signing for another year. Kostin was in and out of the lineup this year and never really found a consistent spot, either due to injury or due to the young players looking for a shot.
While General Manager Mike Grier appears to like what Kostin could bring to the table, this might be a question of whether Kostin believes his best opportunity is with the Sharks or with another team. If the forward asked to be released, GMMG wouldn’t put up much of a fight.
Nikolai Kovalenko – restricted free agent
Nikolai Kovalenko was very diplomatic in his exit interview with the media. While he would not commit to re-signing with the Sharks, it’s clear that the 25-year-old Russian forward wants more opportunity.
Whether he deserves that opportunity is another question. While Kovalenko believes he needs a fair shot, others think he needs to prove he deserves that fair shot by outperforming the other young players hoping to make it in the NHL.
We credit Kovalenko with having nothing but nice things to say about San Jose, but it’s pretty clear that he’s not fully sure that he’ll be returning in the fall. The Sharks aren’t going to guarantee that Kovalenko’s getting top-six minutes, and that’s likely the end of those negotiations.
If San Jose pushes its rights to Kovalenko’s next contract, the young forward will most likely return to Russia to play in the KHL.
Thomas Bordeleau – restricted free agent
Whether deservedly so or not, Thomas Bordeleau didn’t get much of a shot this season. The forward had an okay season with the Barracuda, but was passed on the callup list by players like Danil Gushchin, Ethan Cardwell and veterans like Andrew Poturalski and Colin White.
Bordeleau received a few token games at the close of the season, but truthfully, he might well be on his way out. The Sharks’ forward group is filling out and Bordeleau does not appear to be a part of it. His end of season interview showed he’s not happy with getting edged out and would like an opportunity elsewhere.
Noah Gregor – restricted free agent
Let’s be honest. Grier allowed Gregor to walk after the 2023 season and didn’t give him a qualifying offer. It’s hard to see the general manager having a change of heart and liking Gregor’s game now, especially since the price tag is a bit higher.
Gregor likely won’t be back with the Sharks next season, and I imagine everyone involved knows it.
Jan Rutta – unrestricted free agent
Jan Rutta is the final piece of the Erik Karlsson trade left in San Jose (unless you count that darned salary retention). The defenseman enjoyed his time in San Jose and is willing to come back, but it’s a question of whether he fits into the team’s vision of the future.
Grier on UFA Rutta: "He's been pretty steady for us here for two years. He's done a good job helping our young guys out and kind of being a little bit of a stabilizer, especially on the PK. As I told him, he's on a list with some other guys where it's a possibility we bring them…
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) April 18, 2025
During his postseason media conference, Grier told the media that Rutta has done a good job helping out the younger defensemen, and he’s been steady on defense. But the GM didn’t go so far as to guarantee that Rutta will be back, saying he’s a “possibility.”
Just me interpreting, but it sounds like if Rutta signs with the Sharks, it won’t be on the opening day of free agency. The team isn’t going to extend an offer until it’s explored other options. For Rutta’s part, he’s going to take the best contract offered to him instead of waiting for the Sharks to call.
Shakir Mukhamadullin – restricted free agent
Shakir Mukhamadullin found his footing in the NHL this season and looks ready to make an impact next season. He became more and more confident as his time in the NHL grew and there’s a lot to be optimistic about if you’re a Sharks fan.
Mukhamadullin had shoulder surgery in April, but everyone expects that he’ll be ready for training camp.
It’s pretty certain the Sharks will sign him to a new contract; it’s just a question of how much.
Jack Thompson – restricted free agent
Jack Thompson has a few things going for him that the Sharks and a lot of other teams in the league like. First, he has some offensive upside, which is good in a defenseman. Second, he shoots from the right, something that is in short supply, especially in San Jose.
For Thompson, I can see the Sharks signing him simply to retain his rights. That doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be on the roster in September. I see this as something similar to what happened to Ty Emberson. For the right deal, Thompson could be moved since it’s hard to see him fitting into San Jose’s long-term plans on defense.
Alexandar Georgiev – unrestricted free agent
Alexandar Georgiev was pretty candid after the last game of the season, telling the media he has already talked to Grier and he will not be back next season.
We wish Georgiev the best of luck.
Georgi Romanov – restricted free agent
Georgi Romanov got a stretch at the end of the season where he filled the backup role admirably. While he’s not first in line for the Sharks’ starting job next season, that honor goes to Yaroslav Askarov, he might have made enough of an impression that Grier looks in-house to fill the backup role.
Whether Romanov fills in as backup on the Sharks or returns to the AHL to share the Barracuda’s netminding duties, we can see GMMG giving him another contract.
Carl Berglund – restricted free agent
Carl Berglund was the player tossed into the Jake Walman trade to the Edmonton Oilers. Berglund played just two games with the Barracuda down the stretch, and at 25, he’s likely hit his ceiling.
We don’t expect Berglund will be back with the Sharks or the Barracuda next season.
Nolan Burke – restricted free agent
Nolan Burke is another trade add-in. He was included in the Askarov trade over the summer and his contract is up at the end of this season. Burke spent this season with the Wichita Thunder in the ECHL, which means there wasn’t a place on the Barracuda for him either.
We would expect that he will not be given a qualifying offer and will be allowed to explore free agency in July.
Colin White – unrestricted free agent
The 28-year-old Colin White had a few games with the Sharks toward the end of the season, but played most of his time with the Barracuda. White is one of the players the Sharks like as a mentor for the younger prospects on the Barracuda.
While I see no reason why the Sharks would not want him back next season, this is really an issue of the player’s expectations. If White thinks he has a better chance of earning a spot in the NHL with another team, he’s likely to go there. However, if the Sharks are the only team making an offer, White could stick around.
White joined the Barracuda this season and then signed a contract with the Sharks when the team needed a depth center. In other words, he wasn’t signed with the Sharks at the start of the season and could find himself on an AHL deal with the potential of a two-way contract again if he were willing.
Mitchell Russell – restricted free agent
Mitchell Russell split time between the Barracuda in the AHL and the Thunder in the ECHL this season. For the 24-year-old, a new contract might simply depend on where he lands on the Sharks’ prospect list. The team is only allowed to have 50 standard contracts in a season. If a prospect like Eric Pohlkamp decides to turn pro, or through a combination of draft and free agent signings, the team gets too close to that limit, Russell could be a contract casualty and would not receive a qualifying offer.
Danil Gushchin – restricted free agent
Danil Gushchin was knocking at the NHL door a few times this season. He forced the coaches’ hands at training camp and found his way onto the roster. While he was ultimately sent back down to the Barracuda, Gushchin continues to show that he deserves a look at the upcoming training camp.
Like Bordeleau, Gushchin is frustrated with how little opportunity he had to play in the NHL this past season. Another negative for the forward is that Gushchin doesn’t fit the body type of your typical NHLer. He’s just 5-foot-8, 165 pounds.
If you can make yourself fast like William Eklund or have an inordinate amount of talent, that might fly. However, the fact that Gushchin hasn’t forced Grier’s hand to put him into the lineup shows that the young forward’s days in San Jose might be numbered.
If Gushchin gets a new deal, it’s likely to be one or two years at most, and I wouldn’t expect him to stay in San Jose for that entire contract unless he’s playing with the Sharks full time.
Walker Duehr – unrestricted free agent
A waiver wire pick up, Walker Duehr was like a lottery scratcher you get for your birthday. If you win a couple of bucks, cool. If not, no harm, no foul.
Duehr, unfortunately, didn’t hit for the Sharks and found himself relegated to the AHL later in the season. I don’t expect the Sharks to ask him back, especially with the addition of Zach Ostapchuk.
Brandon Coe – restricted free agent
While Brandon Coe certainly has the body type that the Sharks like, the 2020 fourth-round pick is falling off the Sharks’ depth chart. Coe played 30 games for the Barracuda this season and had just nine points.
Coe figures to be like Russell; he’ll be brought back only if the Sharks have the roster space. He’s on the bubble to return.
Scott Sabourin – unrestricted free agent
Scott Sabourin is on the Barracuda as a veteran presence to help the players take the next step. He played 68 games and had 25 points. More importantly for the ‘Cuda, he had 111 penalty minutes.
Sabourin is almost 33 years old and appears to be an AHL journeyman. If the Sharks make him the best offer, he might be back next season to help guide the newest young prospects. That said, this really seems like it’s about what Sabourin feels is in the best interest of him and his family.
Jimmy Schuldt – unrestricted free agent
Like Sabourin, Jimmy Schuldt is a veteran there to help the younger players in the AHL. Schuldt was a steadying presence on defense, guiding young defensemen like Luca Cagnoni and Jack Thompson.
I’m sure the Sharks would like to have Schuldt back next season to help with Sam Dickinson, Mattias Havelid and Leo Sahlin Wallenius. The real question is whether Schuldt would like to come back.
Pavol Regenda – unrestricted free agent
Like many of the older players on this list playing for the Barracuda, Pavol Regenda will likely look for a chance elsewhere. The 25-year-old was impactful for the Barracuda in the regular season and the postseason, scoring key goals at key moments. That said, the NHL is where he wants to be and the Sharks don’t seem to have a path to get him there.
Regenda will likely look for a chance elsewhere next season.
Gabriel Carriere – restricted free agent
Gabriel Carriere slid right into a starting role with the Barracuda when Askarov got hurt and even got a shot at the NHL for a brief moment. The 24-year-old netminder performed well in his first professional season and finished the season with a 10-9-3-2 record, 3.06 goals against average and .894 save percentage at the AHL level. He looks prepared to help mind the net for the Barracuda next season and the Sharks will likely look to sign him to a new contract this summer.
