San Jose Sharks Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

San Jose Sharks Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

San Jose Sharks won’t have a lot of money to spend in free agency once RFAs Tomas Hertl (update: now signed 2yrs, $3 million dollar cap hit) and Matt Nieto are locked up. No worries though, after the franchises first Cup Final appearance, limited change is expected anyways. Still, minor tweaks can always be expected for the team that falls short of hockey’s holy grail.

The only real change of significance that San Jose might consider is an upgrade in their top four defense group. Otherwise the team is deep up front, and could look to replace James Reimer with a new backup for Martin Jones.

Stars seemed to align for the San Jose Sharks in 2015-16.

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New acquisition Martin Jones put on a Vezina worthy performance between the pipes.

36-year-old veteran Joe Thornton found another gear in his game and many would say was the best two-way forward during the regular season.

The team shifted captaincy to Joe Pavelski, and the 31-year-old flourished under his new leadership role.

San Jose also received a Norris worthy performance from Brent Burns.

After battling injuries (missing Logan Couture for most of the year), the Sharks finished 6th in the Western Conference with a record of 46-30-6 (98 points).

San Jose first met Los Angeles on their quest to the Stanley Cup Finals. They managed to upset the two-time Cup winners in a quick five game series.

May 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) and defenseman Brent Burns (88) and center Patrick Marleau (12) shake hands with Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) and defenseman Barret Jackman (5) after the end of the game seven of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. San Jose defeated Nashville 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sharks faced off against the Nashville Predators in round two, and the young squad from Music City gave San Jose all they could handle. The Sharks showed resilience, and managed to knock off the Preds in game seven.

San Jose squared off against another franchise looking to get over the hump in the Conference Finals, a surging St.Louis Blues that had just knocked off the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars. The Sharks proved too much for St.Louis, and Joe Thornton/Patrick Marleau finally had an opportunity to compete for the toughest trophy in sports.

Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks players shake hands after game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

It was a feel good story heading into the final, and most would have loved to see San Jose raise the Stanley Cup.

Unfortunately the Sharks were overpowered/outmatched by the more experienced Pittsburgh Penguins.

Regardless, it was a great run for the San Jose Sharks, and it is certainly something to build on moving forward.

San Jose Sharks Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $63,894,164 (updated)
Number of Players Signed: 37

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Nick Spaling, Dainius Zubrus, Micheal Haley, Roman Polak, Matt Tennyson, James Reimer, Jeremy Morin, Frazer McLaren, John McCarthy, Karl Stollery

Notable Restricted Free Agents: Matt Nieto, Dylan Demelo, Ryan Carpenter

It’s unclear how many of the names above will earn a new contract, but we do know Tomas Hertl (update: now signed 2yrs, $3 million dollar cap hit) and Matt Nieto are likely signings that will count against the salary cap.

If we estimate the potential cap hits, San Jose Sharks should have roughly $7-8 million dollars to spend in free agency.

San Jose Sharks Free Agency Team Needs

4th Line Winger, Depth Forwards, RH Defensive Depth, Backup Goalie

The Sharks have a wealth of depth in their forward group. They also have several prospects who could have an NHL impact in the near future, names which include: Nikolay Goldobin, Timo Meier, and Kevin Lebanc