Jets sign longtime Sharks defenseman to $12 million contract

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Jets sign longtime Sharks defenseman to $12 million contract

Originally posted on NHL on ClutchPoints
By Michael Whitaker, ClutchPoints | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 8:22 PM ET

The Winnipeg Jets missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2025-26, only one season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best club in 2024-25. While they’ve lost veteran forward Jonathan Toews and goaltender Eric Comrie so far, they’ve added depth on the blue line.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has signed former San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro to a three-year, $12 million contract with a salary cap hit of $4 million per season. The news was first reported on X by NHL Insider Chris Johnston, and later confirmed by the official account of the Jets.

It's a me, MARIO!

We have signed defenceman Mario Ferraro to a three-year contract pic.twitter.com/CpwJWlm6fU

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) July 2, 2026

Ferraro is the second defenseman that the Jets have acquired so far in the 2026 free agency period, after picking up Jack St. Ivany from the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for forward David Gustafsson.

Ferraro was born in King City, Ontario, and later boosted his draft stock during the 2016–17 season with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL, totaling 41 points in 60 games. He finished tied for the league lead among defencemen in goals while placing second in assists and overall scoring, earning USHL First All-Star Team and All-Rookie Team honours.

He was then taken in the second round (49th overall pick) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Sharks. Ferraro then joined the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he established the school’s freshman record for points by a defenceman with 23 in 39 games.

After recording 14 points in 41 games during his sophomore season, he turned professional, signing his first NHL contract with the Sharks following the conclusion of the 2018–19 campaign.

He’s played his entire career with the Sharks, appearing in 490 games and scoring 24 goals with 90 assists.

This article first appeared on NHL on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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