Could This Be the End of an Era for a San Jose Sharks Stalwart?
It's a question that hangs heavy in the air for San Jose Sharks fans: is Mario Ferraro, a defenseman who has poured his heart and soul into the team for seven seasons, on the verge of playing his final game in teal? The sentiment is palpable, especially for Ferraro himself, who vividly recalls his arrival in the fall of 2019. Back then, he was the fresh-faced rookie, surrounded by Sharks legends like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns, and Logan Couture. "I was the young one in this room," Ferraro mused, a hint of disbelief in his voice, "and now I feel like I’m the older one in here. It’s crazy. Time goes by quick."
Fast forward to today, and after 466 career games in San Jose, Ferraro finds himself at a potential crossroads. His current week could very well be his last with the organization. The Sharks are slated to face the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday at SAP Center, a game that might just be his swan song in the familiar Sharks colors. Following that, they'll host the St. Louis Blues on Friday, a game that takes place just seven hours after the NHL trade deadline at noon PST. This timing is crucial, as it leaves a narrow window for any potential moves.
Ferraro, who was a second-round draft pick by San Jose in 2017, is now the longest-tenured player on the Sharks roster. The reason for this looming uncertainty? He's a pending unrestricted free agent, and as of now, he and the Sharks haven't reached an agreement on a contract extension. If no new deal materializes before Friday – and indications suggest none will – the reliable and durable Ferraro could find himself on his way to a team with a more serious shot at a Stanley Cup. He's currently in the final year of a four-year, $13 million contract signed in August 2022, a deal that doesn't include any trade protection.
This isn't the first time Ferraro has been a subject of trade speculation. In previous years, when the Sharks were clearly out of playoff contention and General Manager Mike Grier was actively trading away pending unrestricted free agents, rumors swirled. However, this season presents a different narrative. The Sharks are currently in the hunt for a playoff spot, a stark contrast to the rebuilding phase they've been in since 2022. This makes Grier's approach to the deadline – whether he decides to sell, add, or stand pat – all the more intriguing. The Sharks currently have eight pending UFAs on their NHL roster, including four defensemen.
As of Tuesday, the Sharks were four points back of the Edmonton Oilers for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, with three games in hand. After a disappointing loss to the Calgary Flames last Thursday, the team rallied with crucial wins against the Oilers and Winnipeg Jets, reigniting their postseason hopes. This newfound momentum adds another layer of complexity to the trade deadline decisions.
When asked about the possibility of Tuesday's game being his last, Ferraro expressed a professional focus. "I’m just focused on the game tonight," he stated. "Since the season has ramped back up (after) the break. I’m focused on winning as many hockey games as we can, and I’m just happy we were able to string a couple together after the Calgary game. My mindset right now is to get the win tonight and continue to give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs. Whatever happens at the deadline, it happens. It’s part of the game. It’s part of the league. But to be honest, I haven’t thought about it much."
It's worth noting that the Sharks haven't participated in the playoffs since Ferraro was still playing college hockey at UMass-Amherst. After several years of stagnation, the team embarked on a significant rebuild under Grier in 2022, leading to a period of struggle at the bottom of the NHL standings as veteran players were traded for draft picks and prospects. Throughout this transformation, Ferraro has been a constant, shouldering significant ice time and performing the gritty, often thankless tasks like blocking shots and killing penalties.
From the start of the 2020-2021 season through last year, Ferraro averaged 21 minutes and 14 seconds of ice time per game, ranking 45th in the NHL. Since entering the league, and prior to Tuesday's game, he was 17th in the NHL with 878 blocked shots and 13th in total shorthanded time on ice with 1,232 minutes and 9 seconds. His dedication and impact haven't gone unnoticed. He was even named an alternate captain before the 2021-22 season, despite being only 23 years old at the time.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky lauded Ferraro's unwavering commitment: "If you looked up a definition of a competitor, Mario’s face would be right there, and his name would be right there, because he competes, shift in and shift out. He gives you everything he has. He cares. He’s been a really important piece to getting us out of this funk that we’ve been in the last few years."
Ferraro's experience extends beyond the NHL, having played in the 2019 NCAA National Championship game with UMass and contributing to Canada's gold medal win at the 2021 World Championship. While the decision is out of his hands, he expressed a desire for the current Sharks group to stay intact for the playoff push. "It’s a tight group in here," Ferraro shared. "We all have the same goal. We all have the same vision in mind. But whatever happens, happens. The goal doesn’t change. Whoever comes into this room is going to be brought here for a reason, to accomplish that goal of making the playoffs."
A Quick Look at Other Roster Notes:
Forwards Ryan Reaves and Pavol Regenda, along with defenseman Timothy Liljegren, were slated to be healthy scratches for Tuesday's game. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was set to serve as the backup to Yaroslav Askarov. Reaves and Liljegren have now been scratched for three consecutive games. Regenda was replaced in the lineup by Adam Gaudette, who was making his first appearance since February 4th, prior to the Olympic break. Gaudette had been scratched for the first three games following the break. Nedeljkovic, who made 27 saves in the Sharks' thrilling 2-1 overtime victory against the Jets on Sunday, has a record of 11-9-2 with a .902 save percentage this season. It's worth noting that Reaves, Regenda, Liljegren, and Nedeljkovic are all pending UFAs, with Regenda set to become a Group 6 UFA.
Now, over to you: With the trade deadline looming and the Sharks' playoff hopes still alive, is it the right move to trade a player like Mario Ferraro, who embodies grit and leadership? Or should the team prioritize keeping their core together, even if it means a less active deadline? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
