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NHL Rumors: Insider Updates Contract Talks Between San Jose Sharks, Mario Ferraro
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- NHL Rumors: Insider Updates Contract Talks Between San Jose Sharks, Mario Ferraro
The San Jose Sharks face some big decisions this offseason regarding their defensemen. While there's a lot of focus on the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the club must also decide what to do with Mario Ferraro .
On this week's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast , Sportsnet's NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said that it doesn't sound like there's been progress on extension talks between the Sharks and Ferraro.
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Related: Insider Sheds Light On Looming Macklin Celebrini Contract Extension Talks
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Mario Ferraro stats ( 2025-26 ): 7 goals, 16 assists, 23 points, 21:01 TOI/G
Ferraro, age 27, was selected by San Jose with the 49th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. The 6-foot defenseman has provided steady production for the club and is coming off a career high in goals (seven) and points (23).
Among the top NHL free agents in 2026, Ferraro is ranked 10th by the Daily Faceoff and 19th overall by The Athletic . He is expected to land a multi-year contract on the open market, especially because he is one of the youngest players available and he's among a select few left-handed defensemen.
Related: Agents Reveal Potential Cost of Macklin Celebrini Contract Extension
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Cap space isn't the issue for San Jose. According to PuckPedia.com , the Sharks are projected to have the second most cap space ($41.51 million) in the NHL this offseason. Even with extensions for younger players, the Sharks have more than enough financial flexibility to re-sign Ferraro.
However, the club could wait to see what other teams are willing to offer Ferraro in NHL free agency. San Jose has also been linked to right-handed defenseman Darren Raddysh , and there remains speculation that general manager Mike Grier could use the second overall pick on right-handed defenseman Chase Reid, or trade down with the Chicago Blackhawks and then select Reid or Keaton Verhoeff.
For the time being, it seems like San Jose will allow Ferraro to test the open market before the two sides potentially agree to a long-term deal. Even if he isn't brought back, the Sharks are making upgrading their defense a priority this summer.
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