Sharks Expect Mario Ferraro To Test Free Agency

Mario Ferraro is the longest continuously tenured member of the San Jose Sharks, but that could be coming to an end this offseason.

The 27-year-old gritty defenseman played all 82 games of the Sharks’ regular season for the first time in his career. Given his playstyle, that is quite the achievement. But another first step for Ferraro appears to be on his way, unrestricted free agency.

25-26 was the final year of Ferraro’s 4-year $13 million contract. According to San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier, Ferraro has earned the right to explore the open market.

“Mario’s first time as a free agent, and he’s earned the right to kind of see what’s out there,” Grier told reporters. “Never closing the door on anything, but I think he’ll probably at least test free agency, then we’ll kind of go from there. Then we’ll see what happens.”

Ferraro has been surrounded by trade rumors for the past two+ seasons. San Jose’s push for the playoffs led to the team keeping the pending UFA. Ferraro told reporters he’d love to return to the team that drafted him, but he also admitted he doesn’t know the future.

“I’m just grateful to play in this league. I want to play for as long as I can in this league. Whatever happens, happens,” Ferraro said. “I don’t take any moment for granted or anything for granted in this league.”

Ferraro has played 490 rugged games in the NHL for the San Jose Sharks. He’s never played a single Stanley Cup Playoff game. His style could be exactly what a team needs as a bottom-four d-man in the postseason.

“It was obviously one of the best seasons we’ve had as a team since I’ve been here. We’re right in it to the end, the last couple of games,” Ferraro said. “It felt good to be in a playoff push, and at that time of year, late in the year, like that. It’s not easy to make the playoffs. I’ve experienced that over seven seasons. You see the improvement, and you see the direction we’re going, and I think we built a lot of momentum this year.”