CONFIRMED: Sharks Will Not Qualify RFAs Sawchenko, Pasichnuk

Sources have confirmed to San Jose Hockey Now that the San Jose Sharks will not qualify RFAs Zach Sawchenko and Brinson Pasichnuk. Both Sawchenko and Pasichnuk will become UFAs.

The undrafted Sawchenko took the long road to the NHL, playing two seasons with the University of Alberta before the San Jose Barracuda signed him in Mar. 2019. The goaltender earned an NHL entry-level contract in Apr. 2021 and made his NHL debut on Jan. 22, 2022 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sawchenko performed ably in his seven NHL appearances this past season, posting a 1-2-1 record with a .901 Save %. That should help his case for earning at least an AHL contract next year.

Pasichnuk was a hot commodity when the San Jose Sharks signed him as a college free agent out of Arizona State University in Mar. 2020. The defenseman made his NHL debut the following season against the Arizona Coyotes on Apr. 28, 2021.

Health issues, however, have derailed the 24-year-old’s development for most of the past season.

Last summer, Pasichnuk was diagnosed with Celiac disease, a serious immune reaction to eating gluten. The blueliner sat out most of the year, appearing in just nine games with the San Jose Barracuda.

“He’s all good, ready to roll,” Pasichnuk’s agent Michael Kaye of The Sports Corporation told SJHN about Pasichnuk’s current health.

Sawchenko is represented by Patrick Sullivan of Lakonic Sports.

The San Jose Sharks’ other RFAs are Mario Ferraro, Luke Kunin, Kaapo Kahkonen, Noah Gregor, Jonathan Dahlen, Sasha Chmelevski, Jonah Gadjovich, Nicolas Meloche, Joachim Blichfeld, Antoine Morand, Zachary Gallant, and Jake McGrew. The deadline to qualify RFAs is 2 PM PT on Jul. 11.

The big question: Will the Sharks qualify Dahlen? SJHN was recently given information suggesting that San Jose may not qualify its 2021-22 Rookie of the Year.

SOURCE: Sharks May Not Qualify RFA Dahlen