SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks got a significant piece of business done on Tuesday, and it had nothing to do with free agency.
The Sharks have signed forward William Eklund to a three-year, $16.8 million contract that carries an average annual value of $5.6 million. The deal is set to begin in 2026-27 after Eklund’s current entry-level contract expires.
Tuesday was the first day that the Sharks could sign Eklund, 22, to a contract extension.
Eklund, per PuckPedia, will be paid a $1 million salary in 2026-27 with a $4.4 million signing bonus, and will make $5.6 million the following season and $5.8 million in 2028-29. Eklund will still be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2029.
This past year, in his second full NHL season, Eklund was the Sharks’ second-leading scorer, setting career highs in points (58), goals (17), and assists (41) as he became a more integral part of the team’s lineup.
The deal will make Eklund the Sharks’ second-highest-paid forward in 2026-27, with Tyler Toffoli’s contract, which runs through the 2027-28 season, carrying a $6 million AAV.
The Sharks could have signed Eklund to a long-term deal, possibly for eight years, and made him the team’s highest-paid forward.
However, both the Sharks and the player were more comfortable with a bridge deal, putting off what could be a major payday for Eklund until the NHL’s salary cap exceeds $110 million. The cap was $88 million this past season and is projected to increase to $113.5 million in 2027-28.
Grier spoke with one of Eklund’s agents, Todd Diamond, shortly after the Sharks’ season ended, and said recently that he was open to getting a deal done with Eklund this summer.
“He’s played well for us,” Grier said. “He’s got a lot of the attributes we like. He plays hard, shows up every night and gives us his best. I wouldn’t say it’s a priority, bur we’re open to having those discussions and seeing where it takes us.”
Eklund played in his 100th NHL game on Oct. 15 at Dallas and recorded his 100th NHL point, a goal, on March 6 at Colorado. He matched his single-game career best with three points (one goal, two assists) on Jan. 14 at Detroit.
In his NHL career, the 5-foot-11, 181-pound Eklund has 110 points in 174 games. He was drafted seventh overall by the Sharks in 2021.
Even with Eklund’s contract done, the Sharks still had plenty of roster holes to fill as the first day of unrestricted free agency began.
The Sharks entered the day with tens of millions of dollars in available cap space to play with for the upcoming season and with several needs to try and address after finishing in last place in the NHL’s overall standings for a second straight year.
White re-signed
The Sharks also announced the re-signing of veteran center Colin White, who primarily spent the season with the Barracuda, finishing with 25 points in 48 games in the AHL. He also played in three games for the Sharks.
Please check back for updates to this developing story.
