Sharks To Sign Michael Kesselring To Three-Year Contract

The San Jose Sharks have put the finishing touches on their second multi-year extension of the weekend. According to PuckPedia, and later confirmed by Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News, the Sharks have signed newly-acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5MM ($4.5MM AAV) contract through the 2028-29 season.

Kesselring, 26, was acquired a little over a week ago from the Buffalo Sabres. The Sharks sent the 20th overall pick of the 2026 NHL Draft to the Sabres for Kesselring and the 27th overall pick.

It’s safe to say that Kesselring has a lot to prove with the Sharks. It wasn’t all that long ago that Kesselring finished 14th in Calder Trophy voting. Unfortunately, he’s coming off an injury-riddled season with Buffalo, leaving much to be desired.

Three years ago, the now-defunct Arizona Coyotes acquired Kesselring from the Edmonton Oilers at the 2022-23 trade deadline. Becoming a full-time player the following season, Kesselring finished with an unexpected six goals and 21 points in 65 games with a +11 rating, averaging 15:48 of ice time per game.

Although he only mildly exceeded that point production the following season, it was another solid campaign by all accounts. In 82 games, Kesselring, now with the Utah Hockey Club, registered seven goals and 29 points with a +4 rating, averaging 17:41 of ice time.

Proving himself to be a decent puck-moving option, Kesselring was also decently physical while having above-average possession and defensive metrics. Taking advantage of his quality season, the defensive-rich Utah organization moved Kesselring and Josh Doan to the Sabres for JJ Peterka.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, Kesselring suffered a chronic knee injury and multiple ankle sprains, leading to his disappointing campaign even when he was in the lineup. It was obvious that even when “healthy”, Kesselring wasn’t moving at full speed and constantly looked a step or two behind the competition.

All in all, he finished his forgettable season in Buffalo with two assists in 34 games with a net-zero rating, averaging 13:24 of ice time. If Kesselring can return to the form he was in with Arizona and Utah, the Sharks will have gotten a steal of a deal. However, that assumes better health. The  Sharks showed that they are confident he will be by giving him a multi-year deal, at the very least.