After trading a first-round pick for Michael Kesselring on Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks have locked up their newest defenceman.
The Sharks signed Kesselring to a three-year contract with an annual-average value of $4.5 million on Sunday, sources confirmed to Sportsnet.
San Jose traded the 20th-overall pick in Friday's NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Kesselring and the 27th pick.
Buffalo selected forward Ilia Morozov with the 20th pick while the Sharks used No. 27 as part of a package to trade up again and take defenceman Ryan Lin at No. 21.
Kesselring was limited to just 34 regular-season games in 2025-26, recording just two assists. Prior to that, he had a career-best season in 2024-25, playing all 82 games for the Utah Mammoth, potting seven goals and 29 points.
He was acquired by Buffalo alongside Josh Doan in the 2025 off-season in the deal that sent JJ Peterka to Utah.
“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” said Sharks general manager Mike Grier in a statement on Wednesday. “He is a responsible player in the defensive zone with a well-rounded offensive game, and will be a good upgrade for us patrolling the blue line. We’re happy to have him a part of the organization.”
sj
2:47
