Sharks Sign Kesselring To 3-Year Contract

The San Jose Sharks have begun their off-season work, as the team announced it has signed Michael Kesselring to a three-year contract.

First reported by PuckPedia on Sunday evening, Kesselring’s contract holds an average annual value of $4.5 million. The 26-year-old was a pending restricted free agent and was acquired via trade from the Buffalo Sabres.

Kesselring was a nice addition by San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier, as his project of reshaping the defense began with this move. Kesselring is a righty, something the Sharks lacked last season. The former 6th-round pick has shown he can be a successful NHL player, but injuries derailed his 25-26 season.

The Sharks’ d-man only played 34 games for the Sabers last season, registering two assists. He appeared in one playoff game against the Boston Bruins but barely played. Across just five shifts, Kesselring had 4:25 minutes of ice time.

In 24-25, Kesselring played all 82 games for the Utah Mammoth, then known as the Utah Hockey Club. That season, Kesselring showcased the ability to play hard defense and chip in offensively, scoring 7 goals and 22 assists.

Kesselring was part of San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky’s Team USA World Championship gold-medal team in 2025. That gold medal ended a 92-year drought at Worlds for the Americans.