Sharks sign John Klingberg, Adam Gaudette, Philipp Kurashev, to contracts
The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman John Klingberg, winger Adam Gaudette and center Philipp Kurashev to contracts.
As per @TSNBobMcKenzie, Klingberg's deal in San Jose is for one year, $4M https://t.co/V2OY8kKgBx
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2025Klingberg was signed to a one-year contract with a $4 million cap hit. He was an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of his one-year, $1,755,056 contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He comes in at a cap hit percentage of 4.19%, and will be the Sharks’ highest paid defenseman this season after the buyout to Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Klingberg had a forgettable regular season, struggling to get into the Oilers lineup after joining them midway through the season due to recovering from a hip resurfacing surgery. He had just one goal and three assists for four points in 11 games in the regular season.
However, Klingberg did see some improvement in his game in the playoffs, and became a staple in their lineup up until the Stanley Cup Final. In 19 playoff games, he had one goal and three assists for four points as the Oilers were eliminated in the Final by the Florida Panthers.
Adam Gaudette, two year deal in San Jose, $2M AAV
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 1, 2025Gaudette is the only player of the three to get term on his new contract, signing for two years with a cap hit of $2 million. He was an unrestricted free agent after the conclusion of his one-year, $775,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators. Not only will Gaudette get the highest cap hit of his career with this deal, it’s also the first time he’s hit seven-digit figures.
The raise is deserved after Gaudette had the one of the better seasons in his career, with 19 goals and seven assists for 26 points in 81 games. While the 19 goals was a career high for him, his 26 points overall falls short of his 33-point season with the Vancouver Canucks in 2019-20. He also had one goal and two assists for three points in six games in the playoffs with the Sens.
The #SJSharks signed 25 y/o UFA F Philipp Kurashev to a 1 year $1.2M Cap Hit deal
Rep'd by Pat Brisson @CAAHockey https://t.co/oyWhD3u0tC
Kurashev comes in at a much cheaper deal, signing with the Sharks for one year at $1.2 million. He was a UFA after the Chicago Blackhawks opted not to qualify him, since he was a restricted free agent eligible for arbitration after the conclusion of his two-year contract with a $2.25 million cap hit.
Kurashev’s production took a step back in 2024-25, as he had just seven goals and seven assists for 14 points in 51 games. This comes after an 18-goal, 54-point season in 2023-24, although a lot of that production came primarily alongside Connor Bedard.