Sharks Sign Peterson + Qualify Zetterlund, Kaut + Let Gregor Walk

The San Jose Sharks took care of one RFA today, announcing the signing of Jacob Peterson to a one-year contract.

It’s a two-way contract for $775,000 in the NHL, $375,000 for the AHL.

Peterson, 23, impressed in his stint with the Sharks, scoring two goals and six assists in 11 games. San Jose picked up Peterson, who had spent most of the season in the AHL, from the Dallas Stars for Scott Reedy at the Trade Deadline.

“Jacob is a smart, versatile young forward that fit in well with our group last season,” GM Mike Grier offered in a team press release. “We’re looking forward to having him back and building upon that start.”

The San Jose Sharks also confirmed the signing of Eetu Makiniemi, which Puckpedia broke two days ago.

“We are excited to sign Eetu,” Grier said. “He is a player who showed great promise before his injury last season. We look forward to his continued development in the upcoming year.”

The San Jose Sharks also announced that they were qualifying wingers Fabian Zetterlund and Martin Kaut. Zetterlund came to the Sharks from the New Jersey Devils as part of a package for Timo Meier, while Kaut was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche in the Ryan Merkley deal.

The Sharks didn’t qualify MacKenzie Blackwood, Evgeni Svechnikov, Noah Gregor, Jonah Gadjovich, and Strauss Mann.

Blackwood might be a bit of a surprise, considering that the Sharks just traded a 2023 sixth-round pick for him, but he was also due a $3 million-plus qualifying offer. San Jose Hockey Now was told that the Sharks and Blackwood are working on a contract, we’ll see if they can complete it before Blackwood becomes a UFA tomorrow.

Gregor was also a surprise, in part because the speedy winger finished the season strong with six goals and four assists in his last 11 appearances. This masked a tough offensive season overall though, as Gregor had just 10 goals and seven assists in 57 games, but he’s also just 24.

Gadjovich, Svechnikov, and Mann weren’t as surprising, though Gadjovich looked like he could be the San Jose Sharks’ resident tough guy after the expected UFA departure of Jeffrey Viel.

Gregor, Gadjovich, Svechnikov, and Mann will become UFAs tomorrow at 9 AM PT.