Sharks lock up Collin Graf for three years, $12.75 million

The San Jose Sharks re-signed forward Collin Graf to a three-year contract worth $12.75 million on Friday, July 31, locking up the 23-year-old penalty killer through the 2028-29 season.

Graf's deal carries a $4.25 million annual cap hit and pays him a flat $4.25 million salary in each of the three seasons with no signing bonus, according to PuckPedia. The restricted free agent was coming off his entry-level contract after finishing his first full NHL season with 21 goals, 25 assists and 46 points in 81 games.

"Collin was a big part of our team's improvement this past season, being an effective penalty killer for us and his versatility in the lineup was extremely valuable," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a statement. "His hard working attitude and work ethic is a big reason why his game took another stride last year, and he continues to be an important person in our young group of players. We're happy we are able to keep him a Shark for the next several seasons."

Graf went undrafted and signed with San Jose in April 2024 out of Quinnipiac. He played sparingly in his first two seasons, totaling five goals and 13 points in 40 games, before breaking through last year. The Lincoln, Massachusetts native became one of the team's most-trusted penalty killers while setting career highs in goals (21) and points (46).

Graf told Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, in an interview published Aug. 4, that the length of the deal suited both sides.

"There were no talks about going longer. I think three years was good. I'm happy with the three years," Graf said. "I guess the Sharks, on their side, are the same. Three years just made sense for both of us."

The term also lines up neatly with Graf's rights. As San Jose Hockey Now noted, the three-year deal leaves him a restricted free agent again when it expires, carrying a $4.25 million qualifying offer and sitting one year short of unrestricted free agency.

The signing came two days after the Sharks locked up franchise centerpiece Macklin Celebrini with a five-year, $94 million extension. Graf's deal adds another piece to San Jose's young core as the team continues its rebuild.