2025 PTO Options For The Sharks

As training camp gets close, it's officially PTO season. For those unaware, this is an invite for unsigned players to come to camp and compete for a spot. The Sharks have had success with players like Justin Bailey earning a contract from a PTO.

As a reminder, there are NHL contracts and AHL contracts. Teams are only allowed to have 50 players on NHL contracts. A player needs to be on an NHL contract to play in the NHL (duh), but NHL contracts do typically pay more for players in the AHL.

The Sharks currently have 51/50 contracts, but two of those are currently being slide, Sam Dickinson and Leo Sahlin Wallenius. Sahlin Wallenius will be in the SHL all season, so his contract does not count. Sam Dickinson could make the Sharks and as soon as he plays 10 NHL games, that contract counts. The Sharks also have to make a decision on Michael Misa and if he's going to sign his ELC and presumably play in the NHL this season. Igor Chernyshov is also a potental slide candidate if he does not play more than nine NHL games this season, similar to William Eklund's year in the AHL.

If the Sharks do end up signing one of these players to an NHL contract, they'd most likely move a veteran forward who is projected to play in the AHL this season to pave the way. Here are three players that are worth bringing into camp and seeing if they can earn a contract.

Ilya Samsonov
Goalie
6'3" 205 lbs
Age: 28
Last season with Vegas: 29 games, 2.82 GAA, .891 sv%

Samsonov is a former 1st round pick of the Washington Capitals. He was picked 22nd overall in the 2015 draft out of Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Samsonov played in the KHL until the 2017-18 season, before moving to North America. He spent several years in the Capitals system before not receiving a qualifying offer after the 2021-2022 season. After a three-year stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Samsonov signed a one-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights last season worth $1.8m.

The Projected Role:
Third goalie in the system, splitting time between the NHL and AHL based on injuries.

The Case For:
Excluding Alex Nedeljkovic, the Sharks have a combined 18 NHL games between Yaroslav Askarov (16), Jakub Skarek (2), and Gabe Carriere (0). Adding a veteran who can help to solidify the Barracuda's crease while also giving someone with more experience in case Askarov or Nedeljkovic goes down for an extended period of time.

While Samsonov may not be a starter, he is a more than capable backup and would clearly add to a Baracuda team that will be looking to replace Askarov's services.

Matt Grzelcyk
Left-Handed Defense
5'10 180 lbs
Age 31
Last season with Pittsburgh: 82 games, 1 goal, 39 assists, 20:37 TOI

Matt Grzelcyk is a former third-round pick of the Boston Bruins. Grzelcyk was the 85th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft from the USNDTP. He played four seasons with Boston University, the last two as the Captain, before turning pro. He spent eight seasons with the Boston Bruins before signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins at $2.75m.

The Projected Role:
Third Pairing NHL, top pairing AHL

The Case For:
After coming off a career-high 40-point season with the Penguins, it's surprising that Grzelcyk remains unsigned. Yes, 15 points on the power play helps to inflate the scoring, and Grzelcyk will most likely not play on the Sharks' power play with Klingberg and Orlov now in the mix. Grzelcyk's analytics with the Penguins were not great, but during his time in Boston, he was an excellent puck mover.

This signing would signal that the Sharks don't expect Sam Dickinson to make the NHL roster this season. Even with Timothy Liljegren, Mario Ferraro, Nick Leddy, and Vincent Desharnais on the roster, adding another capable veteran with Askarov expected to take the net wouldn't be the worst idea. If not, Grzelcyk would feel like a natural replacement for Jimmy Schuldt on the Barracuda. Schuldt was instrumental in helping some of the young defenseman, like Luca Cagnoni, Jack Thompson, and Jake Furlong, find their way in the AHL.

Christian Wolanin
Left-Handed Defenseman
6'2" 190 lbs
Age 30
Last season with Abbotsford Canucks (AHL): 58 games, 4 goals, 36 assists. Plus 10 points (2 goals, 8 assists) in 17 playoff games

Christian Wolanin is a former fourth-round pick of the Ottawa Senators. He was picked 107th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft from the Muskegon Lumberjacks out of the USHL. Wolanin spent three seasons at the University of North Dakota before turning professional. He was in the Senators organization for five seasons before getting traded to the Ontario Reign. He has spent the last three years in the AHL with the Canucks organization.

The Projected Role:
Top AHL Defenseman

The Case For:
The Sharks' defense is better suited to handle the inevitable injuries or trades, but acquiring a top-line defensive player for the Barracuda who will be there regardless might be worth it for San Jose. Wolanin has won at the NCAA level (2016 National Championship) and is a Calder Cup Champion (2025 Championship). He's also won the Eddis Shore Award for Best AHL Defenseman in 2023. He's highly decorated and could help a younger group of defenseman along.

If the Sharks signed him to an AHL-only deal, they wouldn't need to worry about waivers, and if they eventually need him to play NHL games, he could be signed to a contract midseason (like Derrick Pouliot in the 2022-23 season). With players like Cagnoni and Thompson expected to play NHL games this season, having a steady veteran on the blueline will help the Sharks' young forward group, which could feature four rookies.

This is an easy win for the Barracuda's depth, and it's surprising that Wolanin remains unsigned.