Sharks Re-Sign Balcers, Blichfeld

The San Jose Sharks have re-signed Rudolfs Balcers to a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old was a pleasant surprise for the San Jose Sharks this season, scoring 17 points in 41 games.

According to Kevin Kurz, the RFA’s pact comes with a $1.55 million dollar annual cap hit.

“We were excited to bring Rudolfs back to our organization last season and he became an important part of our lineup in what was his first full NHL season,” GM Doug Wilson said in a press release. “He showed that he is a versatile forward who can provide offense for our club as a Top-9 forward. We are happy to have him.”

Balcers started the season with the Ottawa Senators organization, but he was waived in training camp. The San Jose Sharks, who drafted Balcers in fifth round of the 2015 Draft, were quick to claim their one-time prospect, and Balcers didn’t disappoint, playing his way onto the club’s expansion draft protected list.

Balcers’s two-year, $3.1 million dollar contract is in line with San Jose Hockey Now’s $1.5 mil AAV prediction in April:

Quick Thoughts: What Will Free Agents Balcers, Barabanov Cost Sharks?

The San Jose Sharks also announced the re-signing of RFA Joachim Blichfeld for one year.

The 23-year-old winger scored his first NHL goal this season, while notching 12 in just 25 AHL games with the San Jose Barracuda.

“Joachim was a top player in the American Hockey League last season, leading the Barracuda in goals and points,” Wilson said in a press release. “He has shown over his career that he is a goal-scorer at each level, and with the experience, he has gained in his short time at the NHL level, we feel that he is ready to compete for a spot in our lineup next season.”

According to Curtis Pashelka, Blichfeld’s contract is a two-way contract for $750,000 in the NHL, $85,000 in the AHL.

The Sharks drafted Blichfeld in the seventh round of the 2016 NHL Draft.