- Friedman says Ferraro is likely to test free agency on July 1
- Sharks reportedly offered a two-year deal; Ferraro wants more term
- Read below for the full breakdown on the pending UFA and his walk year
Mario Ferraro is heading to the open market.
Elliotte Friedman shared the update on Friday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, telling listeners that San Jose’s longtime alternate captain is likely going to test unrestricted free agency on July 1.
“I was just checking around and I heard that it’s likely he’s going to go to UFA,” Friedman said. “It just doesn’t sound like there’s been a lot of movement with him and the Sharks. Again, anything can change with one phone call, but that one seems likely going to market.”
That lines up with what Sharks GM Mike Grier told reporters at end-of-season cleanout, when he said Ferraro would “probably at least test free agency” before any deal got done. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period had been beating the same drum back in April:
Term is the sticking point. San Jose Hockey Now reported earlier this year that the Sharks floated a two-year offer and Ferraro turned it down.
His ask is four years or more, and at 27 years old, he should get it. Cody Ceci and Ryan Lindgren, both older defensive defensemen, each landed four-year deals last summer.
A strong walk year helps his case. Ferraro played all 82 games and averaged 21:02 of ice time.
The defender chipped in seven goals and 23 points, and led San Jose with 150 blocked shots while throwing 137 hits. That’s exactly the profile a contender pays up for in late June.
Drafted 49th overall by San Jose in 2017, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound blueliner came up through the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers and spent two seasons at UMass-Amherst, where he wore the C. He’s been a fixture on the Sharks back end ever since.
He’s not alone in the pool either. Anthony Mantha is also set to test free agency after a career-best year in Pittsburgh, and the list keeps growing.
Ferraro is about to be one of the most popular names on it.
