PWHL San Jose has locked in one of the biggest names from its draft class, signing Laila Edwards to a rookie contract.
Edwards, the 2026 fourth-overall pick, is the first player from San Jose’s draft group to put pen to paper. She’s signed for three years, though the team did not disclose the salary. The PWHLPA website lists 2025 fourth-overall pick Nicole Gosling at $50,000 in her rookie year, though that figure does not account for possible bonuses.
The 22-year-old arrives with plenty of production on her résumé. After beginning her career as a forward before shifting to defense for the University of Wisconsin and Team USA last season, Edwards put up 12 goals and 45 points in 28 games during her senior year. She also added two goals and eight points in seven games and came away with a gold medal at the Olympics.
San Jose’s training camp opens Nov. 18.
Elsewhere around the Sharks, Quentin Musty talked about his offseason work with Will Smith and his NHL goals, while Natalie Noury and Jason Demers are set to handle the team’s pregame and postgame shows. There’s also been buzz around Ivar Stenberg’s Rookie Faceoff showing, with scouts weighing in on his performance, and Andre Gasseau along with Carson Wetsch drawing attention in Rookie Faceoff action.
The Sharks community also held a coaching symposium, giving local coaches a chance to learn from members of the San Jose coaching staff, take part in breakout sessions and connect with others from across the area.
Brent Burns enters the season 57 games shy of Phil Kessel’s ironman record.
Around the league, Connor Bedard was named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, Shawn Horcoff was appointed interim general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, and Dylan Larkin is injured to start camp. Connor Hellebuyck did not report to camp and has been suspended, while Drew Doughty was named captain of the Los Angeles Kings.
Luke Evangelista signed a five-year extension with the New Jersey Devils, Cutter Gauthier and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to a new six-year contract with an average annual value of $13.5 million, and Drake Batherson landed a major extension with the Ottawa Senators. Jordan Staal also signed a one-year extension worth up to $10 million with bonuses.
Montreal extended Alex Newhook, Pittsburgh drew takeaways from its rookie tournament, Justin Sourdif got an eight-year deal with Washington, and there’s also been attention on players signing PTOs as training camp gets underway.
In Other News...
Zack Ostapchuk Faces One Big Test In Sharks Bottom Six
Zack Ostapchuk spent much of last season doing the kind of work that can get overlooked on a team still trying to sort out its identity. Used mostly in a fourth-line role, he brought size, energy and a straight-ahead physical edge to the Sharks, while also handling a steady share of defensive responsibilities in limited minutes.
The challenge now is whether that profile can hold up if he is asked to do the same job again, only with more competition around him and the same questions about offense still hanging in the background. Ostapchuk showed enough in the bottom six to stay on the radar, but for San Jose the bigger issue is whether his defensive value and toughness are enough to keep him locked into that spot when training camp opens. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Fans Will Care What Stenberg Really Showed At Rookie Faceoff
Ivar Stenberg turned heads at the Rookie Faceoff, and not just because the San Jose Sharks prospect found the net. His tournament showing gave the organization a useful early look at a player who already has people around the game paying attention, while San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy pointed to the event as the kind of stage that has helped previous prospects build momentum toward NHL success.
Even so, the reaction out of the tournament was measured rather than breathless. Scouts came away impressed, but not blown away, which leaves Stenberg in that familiar prospect space where talent is obvious and the next steps matter just as much as the first glimpse. For Sharks fans, the appeal is in whether this was the start of something bigger or simply a promising snapshot of where his game stands right now. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Prospects Hit Early Roadblock As Camp Battle Already Changes
San Joses prospect camp has already been forced to adjust after a rough Rookie Faceoff weekend left the organization shorthanded in a hurry. Quentin Musty and Cam Lund both suffered upper-body injuries in the event, and the Sharks also have goalie Kyle Keyser sidelined for a couple of months, a chain of setbacks that quickly pushed the front office to add Ilya Samsonov on a one-year deal to help stabilize the crease.
The early fallout is most noticeable up front, where the Sharks had hoped to get a longer look at a pair of young forwards trying to make their case. Instead, the camp battle has shifted before it really got going, with Musty facing a lengthy absence and Lund set to miss at least a month and the start of the regular season. For a team trying to sort out its next wave of talent, it is a frustrating interruption and an early reminder that depth can change fast in September. [Read more 🡒]