​The San Jose Sharks have drawn mixed reactions from analysts regarding their offseason moves, garnering praise for what looks to be a standout 2026 NHL Draft class while inviting skepticism about several free-agent additions. Among those moves, one addition has earned some positive notice. Harman Dayal of The Athletic highlighted the Sharks’ extension with Michael Kesselring as one of the nine best contracts signed during the offseason thus far. “Both the acquisition cost (trading pick No. 20 in exchange for pick No. 27 and Kesselring) and the contract were very team-friendly,” Dayal wrote, noting there is still significant upside. Kesselring stands 6-foot-5, skates exceptionally well, and possesses legitimate offensive talent. Most importantly, he flashed top-four potential with Utah during the 2024-25 season. With John Marino and Sean Durzi sidelined by injuries on the right side, Kesselring assumed a larger role and largely thrived. Through the first 48 games of the 2024-25 campaign, he logged an average of 19:04 of ice time, winning his share of battles as Utah controlled about 52 percent of high-danger chances and outscored opponents 31-18 during five-on-five shifts. He accumulated 25 five-on-five points in 2024-25, tied for 25th-most among all NHL defensemen.
As the summer arrived, it was clear that San Jose’s blue line could use an upgrade. Sharks general manager Mike Grier explored a wide array of options across free agency, the draft, and trades, and he employed a combination of all three strategies. Kesselring was the first major addition. San Jose traded the 20th overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 6-foot-5 defenseman and the 27th overall pick, and three weeks later secured him to a multi-year extension.
Dayal’s take on the Kesselring deal aligns with the broader assessment of the Sharks’ summer transactions: the three-year extension at an average annual value of $4.5 million sits below what players of Kesselring’s upside typically command. Dayal pointed out that the deal represents better value than the $4.5 million AAV two-year contract that the New York Islanders gave Tony DeAngelo. This contract stands out as a smart bet by San Jose, especially given Kesselring’s potential trajectory.
Kesselring’s NHL résumé to date also lends credibility to the optimism. In the 2024-25 season with the Utah Mammoths, he posted 29 points in 82 games, underscoring his offensive capability and the size the Sharks needed on the back end. While the 2023-24 season in Buffalo was disappointing for Kesselring, largely due to injuries, the 2024-25 campaign demonstrated what he could be when healthy. A high-ankle sprain and a subsequent re-injury hampered him in Buffalo, limiting his ice time on a team already deep at defense. In San Jose, however, he will have a clearer path to regular minutes and a chance to showcase his full toolbox.
If Kesselring can stay healthy and adapt to the Sharks’ system, the contract could prove to be an extraordinary bargain for the club. The fit goes beyond a single player. San Jose’s summer was characterized by a calculated mix of shrewd moves in the draft and calculated bets in free agency, all aimed at lengthening and stabilizing the blue line for the present and the future. The 2026 NHL Draft class already generated significant optimism, and the Kesselring addition adds a tangible, on-ice asset with measurable upside.
In sum, Dayal’s endorsement of the Kesselring extension captures a broader narrative: the Sharks’ summer strategy included careful cost control and upside plays that could pay dividends if health and development track positively. While questions persist about the rest of the offseason acquisitions, the Kesselring deal stands out as a well-structured, potentially value-driving move that could anchor San Jose’s defense for years to come.