Trouba has earned a reputation as one of the NHL's most intimidating and hard-hitting defensemen, securing a lucrative four-year contract worth $33 million ($8.25M AAV) with the San Jose Sharks. The 32-year-old Trouba remains in the Pacific Division after spending the 2025-26 season with the Anaheim Ducks, recording 35 points (10G / 25A) and 143 hits in 81 games.
The Sharks acquired Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in 2026 for the 20th overall pick in 2026 from the Buffalo Sabres earlier this offseason. Kesselring has quickly been awarded a three-year contract extension worth $13.5 million ($4.5 million AAV). The 26-year-old Kesselring joined Buffalo last offseason but battled injuries, playing just 34 games with the Sabres, scoring two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 13:24 time-on-ice.
Ostapchuk is coming off a career season in 2025-26 which saw him record highs in nearly all statistical categories (GP, G, Pts, PIMs, SOG), earning him a four-year, $2.35 million AAV contract extension ($9.4M total). The 23-year-old is entering his fourth full NHL season and third with the Sharks after being acquired from Ottawa in 2025 in the Fabian Zetterlund deal. He finished 2025-26 with four goals, seven points, 45 PIMs and 44 SOG in 59 games played.
Ethan Cardwell will remain with San Jose's organization for a fourth season after it was announced the forward had signed a one-year, two-way contract to remain with the Sharks. The 23-year-old appeared in seven games with the Sharks in 2025-26, but did majority of his damage with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), where he had seven goals and 15 points in 24 games played.
San Jose solidified their defensive depth on Tuesday after they announced the signing of Nolan Allan to a two-year contract extension. The 23-year-old defensemen was acquired from Chicago in a multi player deal last January and succeeded with the Barracuda (AHL) across 35 games played, picking up two goals, 14 points and 28 PIMs. He is expected to compete for one of San Jose's final defensive spots in training camp but should be another key member of the Barracuda's back line.
After a successful first season in Germany's top leageu with EHC Munchen, Phillip Sinn has earned himself a two-year, entry-level contract with San Jose on Thursday. The 22-year-old undrafted defensemen turned heads after representing Germany at both the Olympics and World Championships. He had a goal and three points in 35 games with EHC Munchen (DEL) in 2025-26.
The 20-year-old forward was just a few weeks from re-entering the NHL Draft if San Jose was unable to come to a deal before June 1st, but has now signed a three-year, entry-level contract to remain with the Sharks' organization. Wetsch was San Jose's 2024 3rd round pick (82nd overall) and had 22 goals, 72 points and 80 PIMs in 65 games played with Kelowna (WHL) in 2025-26.
Logan Stanley (illness) will return to Buffalo's lineup for Game One against the Montreal Canadiens, sending Kesselring to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Kesselring played his postseason debut in Buffalo's previous game and was limited to 4:25 time-on-ice.
Giles is an undrafted 26-year-old forward that has spent most of his career in the AHL. He recorded one assist in three games with the Sharks this season, but scored 24 points (10G / 14A) in 67 games with the Barracuda (AHL).
