The San Jose Sharks signed defenseman Michael Kesselring to a three-year, $13.5 million deal Monday that prevented him from a becoming a restricted free agent and has an average annual value of $4.5 million, according to NHL.com.
Kesselring, 26, was traded to San Jose from the Buffalo Sabres on June 17 in a move that included the teams swapping 2026 first-round draft picks.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Kesselring had two assists in 34 games with the Sabres last season and appeared in one playoff game. He was selected in the sixth round in 2018 by Edmonton but never played a game with the Oilers, who dealt Kesselring to Arizona in March of 2023.
In four seasons with Arizona (2023, 2023-24), Utah (2024-25) and Buffalo (2025-26), Kesselring has 55 points (12 goals, 43 assists) and a plus-minus of 14 in 190 games.
“Michael has a big frame with solid two-way ability,” Grier told reporters after 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 blue line.”
