Nine players on the current San Jose Sharks roster will be free agents for the 2025 offseason. Seven are restricted free agents, and two are unrestricted.
General Manager Mike Grier must decide on former top prospects like Danil Guschin and Thomas Bordeleau. The Sharks had high hopes for Nikolai Kovalenko and Klim Kostin, but neither seems to have panned out.
After being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Mackenzie Blackwood deal, Kovalenko showed flashes of being a solid NHLer. The 25-year-old Russian was scratched for much of the second half of the season. During his exit interview, he voiced his frustration.
Grier told reporters that the Sharks are still evaluating Kovelnko’s future but revealed that the winger will have options regarding where to play.
“He’s a talented kid, we just have to sort out how much he’s willing to buy into what we want to do,” Grier said. “There’s going to be an evaluation period with that, and I think he’s got to be honest with himself, and talk to his agent and his circle about what he wants and what he’s willing to do. As of right now, we’ll plan on him being here next year.”
Kovalenko is a restricted free agent, and if he stays in the NHL, San Jose will have some control over his contractual status.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters that “he’s the biggest Klim Kostin fan.” While being high on the player is excellent, Warsofsky added that he and Kostin felt the opportunity wasn’t totally grabbed.
Grier on what the Sharks could do with Gushchin and Bordeleau
Danil Gushchin and Thomas Bordeleau have been with the San Jose Sharks organization for three seasons, and neither has found a full-time spot in the NHL.
Bordeleau has played more NHL games than Gushchin (44 to 18). Bordeleau also holds arbitration rights this summer, whereas Gushchin doesn’t.
“It’s a continuation of trying to earn your way up here. They have all been here. Gushchin and Bordeleau, it’s been three years here. I think they know what the expectation is. I think they have a good idea of what they need to do and things they need to work on.”
Bordeleau is dealing with an injury suffered in his only NHL game this season. Both Bordeleau and Gushchin will be fixtures in the AHL Playoff run.
Grier on Sharks UFAs
Jan Rutta and Alexandar Georgiev are the only two UFAs on the NHL roster for the Sharks.
Georgiev’s outcome is known after he revealed that the team wouldn’t be bringing him back.
Veteran defenseman Jan Rutta could be headed to the 2025 IIHF World Championship, but he might not be back with the Sharks next season.
“Rutta has been pretty steady for us here for two years. I think he’s done a good job helping our young guys out, and being a stabilizer, especially on the PK,” Grier said. “I told him he’s on a list with some other guys where it’s a possibility we bring them back.”
Grier once again said he’d be “active” during the 2025 NHL offseason, but it remains to be seen what he’ll do on July 1.
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