AGENT: Dahlen Prioritizing Signing in NHL or Switzerland Over Timra

Jonathan Dahlen’s first choice isn’t to sign with Timra.

That’s what Claes Elefalk, Dahlen’s agent, told San Jose Hockey today, in response to rumors that the ex-San Jose Sharks winger’s hometown club had offered, or was preparing to offer, a long-term contract to their former star.

“No offer has been placed yet. Dahlen skates with that team daily, but it’s a premature rumor,” Elefalk texted SJHN. “His priority is still the NHL and the Swiss league. Then we will see.”

Of course, it makes sense for Timra to want Dahlen back. The 24-year-old helped Timra get promoted into the SHL with 77 points in 45 games in 2020-21, taking home both the Allsvenskan regular season and playoff MVP awards.

Dahlen was the media-voted Sharks Rookie of the Year last season, and through the first half, the rookie was on a 20-goal pace.

But the youngster couldn’t find consistency in the second half, and he was healthy scratched at times. He also dealt with multiple health issues throughout the year, including being placed in COVID protocol twice, a concussion, and a couple upper-body injuries. From February on, Dahlen scored just one goal, finishing the campaign with 12 goals and 10 assists in 61 games.

The San Jose Sharks chose not to qualify the RFA after the season, making him a UFA.

“There’s a certain type of profile of player, things that we’re looking for to make this team molded into the type of team that I would like it to be,” San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier shared. “He doesn’t really fit the profile right now.”

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Will Dahlen get a chance to make Grier eat his words this season?

“We have [talked] with several teams, but no fit yet,” Elefalk said. “Still another 30 days until camp opens.”