NHL Signing: Big D-Man Michael Kesselring Signs Big Extension With Sharks

Despite nearly a completely lost season, promising defenseman Michael Kesselring has more than tripled his salary. The San Jose Sharks have signed the pending restricted free agent to a three-year extension with a $4.5 million AAV. 

The #SJSharks have signed Michael Kesselring to a three-year deal worth $4.5 M AAV.#TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/4vaNx6PyPw

— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) June 29, 2026

The Sharks dealt for the 6'5", right-shot Kesselring in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres 11 days ago, getting the distressed asset by swapping first-round picks, dropping from 20th to 27th. 

The big d-man only played 34 games with Buffalo, with just two assists, with an average of 13:24 ice time per game. He fell out of favor with head coach Lindy Ruff, as a string of injuries severely hampered his development. 

He had, however, shown his promise in two complete seasons with Arizona/Utah before being acquired by the Sabres last year. 

San Jose was in dire need of populating its blueline, as they had just two other NHL defensemen under contract, the left-shot Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson. Mario Ferraro, Vincent Desharnais, John Klingberg & Nick Leddy are all unrestricted free agents. 

Kesselring was coming off a $1.4 million AAV, so his new salary of $4.5 million represents a massive pay raise of better than three times his former paycheck.

“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” said Sharks GM Mike Grier at the time of the trade with Buffalo. “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 blueline. We’re happy to have him a part of the organization.”