Sharks’ Cap Projection After Re-Signing Gregor

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed Noah Gregor.

Per Jason Gregor of TSN 1260, the 24-year-old winger has signed a one-way, one-year contract worth $950,000. He will be eligible for arbitration after this season.

“Noah elevated his play last season and set career highs in several offensive categories,” GM Mike Grier said in a team press release. “He can utilize his speed to create space in the offensive zone and we look forward to watching him take another step this year.”

Gregor is represented by agent Craig Oster.

Here’s how San Jose Hockey Now is projecting the San Jose Sharks’ cap situation right now. Jonah Gadjovich is the Sharks’ lone remaining RFA but is not expected to sign for much more than the veteran’s minimum.

In my projection, waiver-exempt prospect William Eklund has made the Sharks over fellow waiver-exempt prospects Scott Reedy, Jasper Weatherby, Thomas Bordeleau, Max Veronneau, among others.

Gadjovich and Jeffrey Viel are the key forwards who are likely to be exposed to waivers.

You should be able to swap Eklund out for any of these forwards, they all make less than the Swedish winger’s $894,167 AAV, save for Bordeleau’s $916,667 cap hit.

On defense, Nikolai Knyzhov’s long-term injury might open the door for Radim Simek to re-establish himself on the San Jose Sharks’ blueline. Alternatively, the Sharks can bury part of Simek’s cap hit – $1.125 million dollars of Simek’s $2.25 million – in the minors, and swap in waiver-exempt prospect Ryan Merkley ($863,333 AAV). That will give San Jose a little more cap breathing room.

You’ll notice that I’m projecting that the Sharks will enter the season with three goalies and remain just under the $82.5 million dollar cap. While that’s not ideal for a host of reasons, San Jose might find a more welcoming market for James Reimer or Adin Hill a month or so into the season.

That’s 13 forwards, seven defensemen, and three goalies for a 23-man roster. Of course, hanging over this projection is the result of Evander Kane’s grievance. An NHL source indicated to SJHN that the Sharks, Kane, and the NHL still haven’t scheduled a second hearing date at this time.