The San Jose Sharks have inked one of their newest acquisitions. News emerged on Sunday night that defenceman Michael Kesselring signed a three-year deal worth $13.5 million for the life of the contract. This works out to an average $4.5 million cap hit and the deal runs through the end of the 2028-29 season.
The Sharks are inking Michael Kesselring to a three-year extension! 👀San Jose traded for the 26-year old defenceman on Jun. 16.
Michael Kesselring Signed to Three-Year Deal by San Jose Sharks
Kesselring has played for the Arizona Coyotes, Utah Hockey Club, and Buffalo Sabres across his four-year NHL career. The Florence, South Carolina native had two assists in 34 games for the Sabres. Kesselring was limited after coming off a career-best season in Utah’s first season in Salt Lake City.
The 26-year-old has 12 goals and 43 assists for 55 points in 190 career games. He was originally taken by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round, 164th overall of the 2018 NHL Draft. He was picked up by Buffalo alongside Josh Doan in the 2025 off-season in the deal that sent JJ Peterka to Utah.
Kesselring was traded again in Friday’s 2026 NHL Draft along with the 27th pick to San Jose for the 20th selection. Buffalo ended up taking Ilia Morozov, while San Jose moved up to 21 to get Ryan Lin.
(Credit Image: © Thurman James/Cal Sport Media)
What It Means
Kesselring never found his footing with the Sabres, and this deal gives him a chance to start fresh. The Sharks have worked hard to make over their roster and general manager Mike Grier has helped foster improvement in a very young roster.
We’ve seen that Kesselring can be a very strong blueliner from his time in Utah. However, he’ll now have a chance to be part of a roster that has some dynamic young players. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have fans in the Bay Area excited for hockey again.
The Sharks have been making numerous changes to their defensive group. Inking Kesselring to this deal will help that cause.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images
