The San Jose Sharks weren’t supposed to be here.
Coming into the season, the blueprint was clear: this was a rebuilding year, and the expectation was that the front office would be sellers at the deadline-especially on the blue line. Four of their seven active defensemen were pending unrestricted free agents, and with the team projected to be in the NHL’s basement again, moving veterans for future assets seemed like a no-brainer.
But here we are, past the halfway point of the season, and San Jose has flipped the script. The Sharks have played their way into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, and that unexpected success is forcing the team to rethink its trade deadline strategy.
One name that’s become less likely to move? Mario Ferraro.
Now, that doesn’t mean the Sharks are hanging up the phone. They’re still fielding calls on Ferraro, but there’s growing interest in keeping him around-at least on a short-term deal.
According to recent reports, the organization is believed to have some level of interest in retaining the 27-year-old defenseman, and that interest is mutual. Ferraro made it clear back in training camp that he wanted to stay in San Jose, and the team’s recent surge has only strengthened that desire.
Still, there’s a big decision looming for both sides. This summer marks Ferraro’s best chance to cash in on a long-term deal, and it’s unclear whether he’d be willing to pass that up for a shorter-term extension. That said, it’s also unclear what kind of offers will be waiting for him on the open market.
Ferraro has been a mainstay on the Sharks’ blue line during the rebuild, often tasked with heavy minutes and tough assignments. But this season, the arrival of Dmitry Orlov has shifted Ferraro into a more manageable second-pair role on the left side. That’s helped lighten his workload, though it hasn’t exactly sparked a breakout campaign.
Through 50 games, Ferraro has four goals and 12 points while averaging just under 21 minutes per night-his lightest usage since his rookie year. His -2 rating is a noticeable step up from years past, but his possession metrics remain underwhelming. He’s controlling 43.7% of shot attempts at even strength, which places him in the middle of the pack among defensemen with similar defensive-zone starts.
So, what’s Ferraro worth? That’s the million-dollar question-literally.
AFP Analytics projects his next deal at five years and $5.9 million annually. That kind of term might be a stretch for San Jose, but they could be willing to outbid the market on a shorter deal.
The Sharks have shown a willingness to hand out high-dollar, short-term contracts recently, and Ferraro could be the next in line-if the fit still makes sense.
That’s where things get complicated. Even if both sides agree on a short-term, high-AAV deal in the $6-7 million range, there’s a logjam forming on the left side of the Sharks’ defense.
Orlov is under contract, and youngsters Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin are expected to lock down roster spots next season. Unless San Jose is comfortable shifting Mukhamadullin to his off-side permanently, there may not be a long-term role for Ferraro moving forward.
For now, Ferraro continues to give the Sharks what he always has-steady, if unspectacular, minutes on the back end. He’s not flashy, and he’s not going to light up the scoreboard, but he plays with heart, grit, and leadership-qualities that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but matter in a locker room.
The Sharks have a tough call ahead. Ferraro’s value isn’t just about numbers-it’s about fit, timing, and the direction of a franchise that’s suddenly ahead of schedule. Whether he stays or goes, the decision will say a lot about how San Jose views its timeline-and how much they believe this playoff push is the start of something real.