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Evaluating Sharks' trade for defenseman Michael Kesselring: ‘A very good gamble'

The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year contract extension. The deal is valued at $13.5 million with a $4.5 million cap hit. Kesselring was acquired from Buffalo on June 17.

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What changed

The Sharks signed Kesselring to a multi-year extension following his trade from Buffalo.

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  1. Sharks sign Michael Kesselring to three-year extension

    The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year contract extension. The deal is valued at $13.5 million with a $4.5 million cap hit. Kesselring was acquired from Buffalo on June 17.

    What's confirmed:

    • Michael Kesselring signed a three-year, $13.5 million extension with the Sharks.
    • The contract carries a $4.5 million cap hit.
    • The Sharks acquired Kesselring in a trade with the Sabres on June 17.
    confidence 100%

  2. San Jose Sharks Acquire Michael Kesselring from Buffalo Sabres

    The San Jose Sharks traded their 20th overall 2026 NHL Draft pick to Buffalo for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick. Buffalo moved the assets to jump seven spots in the draft. The deal sends the 26-year-old defenseman to the West Coast.

    What's confirmed:

    • The San Jose Sharks traded the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres for Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick.
    • Michael Kesselring is a 26-year-old defenseman.
    • The trade took place on Wednesday.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Buffalo may use the saved money from the trade to renegotiate contracts or encourage Alex Tuch to stay in Buffalo.
    • The San Jose Sharks could move their 2nd overall pick to move back or acquire a defenseman.
    • The Chicago Blackhawks could move the 4th overall pick.
    confidence 90%

  3. Sharks acquire Michael Kesselring in trade with Sabres

    The San Jose Sharks traded their 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick. Kesselring is a 26-year-old defenseman who recorded two assists in 34 games last season. The trade reshapes the Sharks' defensive corps and adjusts their position in the first round of the 2026 draft. General Manager Mike Grier described Kesselring as having a "big frame with solid two-way ability".

    What's confirmed:

    • The San Jose Sharks traded their 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick.
    • Michael Kesselring is 26 years old.
    • Kesselring recorded two assists in 34 games last season.
    • The trade involves swapping first-round picks in the 2026 Draft.
    • Michael Kesselring can be a restricted free agent on July 1.
    • General Manager Mike Grier described Michael Kesselring as having a "big frame with solid two-way ability".

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The Edmonton Oilers should look at re-acquiring Buffalo Sabres right-handed defenseman Michael Kesselring.
    confidence 50%

  4. Sharks Acquire Defenseman Michael Kesselring from Buffalo Sabres

    The San Jose Sharks traded their 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick. Kesselring is 26 years old. He recorded two assists in 34 games during a difficult season in Buffalo.

    What's confirmed:

    • The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres.
    • The Sharks traded the No. 20 pick in the 2026 Draft to Buffalo in exchange for Kesselring and the No. 27 pick.
    • Michael Kesselring is 26 years old.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kesselring had a tough season with the Sabres, recording two assists in 34 games.
    • Three NHL scouts disagreed on what Kesselring is like at his best.
    confidence 90%

  5. San Jose Sharks Acquire Defenseman Michael Kesselring from Buffalo Sabres

    The San Jose Sharks traded their 20th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Buffalo Sabres. In return, the Sharks received defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick. This move addresses a need for right-handed defensemen on the Sharks roster.

    What's confirmed:

    • The San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall draft pick from the Buffalo Sabres.
    • The Buffalo Sabres received the 20th overall draft pick in the trade.
    • The trade resulted in Buffalo moving up seven spots in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kesselring was limited to 34 games in Buffalo due to injuries.
    • The Sharks only have left-shot defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson under contract.
    • Mario Ferraro, Vincent Desharnais, John Klingberg and Nick Leddy are unrestricted free agents.
    confidence 100%