The San Jose Sharks have made a move to reinforce their goaltending pipeline, officially signing unrestricted free agent Jakub Skarek to a one-year contract valued at $775,000. The signing, confirmed on Thursday, brings a 25-year-old netminder with a mix of professional experience to the Sharks organization.
Skarek, a third-round pick (72nd overall) by the New York Islanders in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, spent the majority of the past season with the Islanders` American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. In 22 AHL appearances, he recorded a 5-13-1 record with a 3.52 goals-against average (GAA) and an .884 save percentage (SV%), including one shutout. While those statistics might suggest a challenging year, particularly the win-loss record often influenced by team performance, they reflect his recent performance curve at the AHL level.
He also saw limited NHL action this past season, making his debut with the New York Islanders. Across two NHL games, Skarek posted an 0-1-0 record with a 3.94 GAA and an .872 SV%. This brief NHL stint provided valuable, albeit statistically modest, experience against top-tier competition.
Sharks General Manager Mike Grier commented on the acquisition, stating, “Jakub has a plethora of professional experience in net at just 25 years old. He is a big, athletic goaltender with a lot of compete in his game.” Grier`s emphasis on experience and physical attributes highlights what the Sharks brass likely see as key assets in Skarek, perhaps looking past the raw numbers to focus on his technical profile and potential.
At $775,000, the contract represents the standard league minimum salary, typical for players expected to provide organizational depth, primarily serving as a starter or key component for the AHL affiliate (likely the San Jose Barracuda), while being readily available for potential NHL call-ups due to injury or performance needs. This kind of signing is a fundamental part of managing a professional hockey organization`s depth chart, ensuring coverage at all levels.
For Skarek, this represents a fresh opportunity with a new club after several years within the Islanders system. His role with the Sharks will likely involve stabilizing the Barracuda`s net and competing for playing time, with the potential for further NHL opportunities if his performance warrants it or circumstances dictate. It`s a pragmatic move for both player and team – Skarek gets a new environment to potentially develop, and the Sharks secure an experienced depth option in a critical position.
