Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Mario Ferraro

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Mario Ferraro
6'0" 209lbs
27 years old (start of season)
2017 2nd round pick

Last Season

78 games, 5 goals, 12 assists, 21:24 TOI

Mario Ferraro continued to do Mario Ferraro things: block shots, play hard, eat minutes, etc. But Ferraro also did something new for the San Jose Sharks. He drove offense.

Ferraro hit a career high in goals with five and had his second-best season offensively with 17 points. With the additions of Timothy Liljegren, Cody Ceci, and Jake Walman, Ferraro was able to share the load compared to some of the assignments that he received over the past few seasons, and Ferraro was a much more effective player because of it. Ferraro did miss the final handful of games with a broken ankle and is expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Burning Question

What's Ferraro's future in San Jose?

Mario Ferraro is entering the last year of his four-year contract at $13 million. He's been one of the heart and soul players for the Sharks since his arrival in the 2019-20 season. He's currently the longest tenured player and wears a letter.

Ferraro has also been dangled in trade rumors over the past few seasons and has been open to a change of scenery. Entering the last year of his deal and a UFA at the end of the season, is it time for Mike Grier to finally pull the trigger on a trade of Ferraro?

The Sharks currently have one defenseman under contract for next season (Dmitry Orlov), while Shakir Mukhamadullin and Sam Dickinson will most likely be on the roster. However, the Sharks will need to find more defensemen who can help support a young forward group. Ferraro will also likely be seeking a raise on his $3.25 million aav.

Expectations

On the ice, expect more of the same from Ferraro. While the offense will take a back seat this year with John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, and Mukhamadullin in the mix. With a slightly less workload, Ferraro can be a more effective player. Even with the additions on the blueline, San Jose is expected to be in the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes. This feels like the year that Mike Grier finally pulls the trigger on the Ferraro trade. The question becomes when?

The Mario Ferraro Decision

With Marc-Édouard Vlasic being bought out and Logan Couture stepping away from hockey, Mario Ferraro is the longest tenured San Jose Shark. Ferraro is entering his seventh year and has been a mainstay on the Sharks’ blue line since 2019-2020. Ferraro is also entering the final year of his four-year

The ReefJD Young

Ferraro's contract is very affordable and about 20 teams could easily fit his contract in right now. While the Sharks could retain half of Ferraro's contract (possibly opening up another team to retain the other 25% before the trade deadline), saving that last retention slot for a larger contract (looking at you Alex Wennberg) would make more sense.

If Ferraro isn't traded, re-signing him would make some sense, pending on term. The longest term that Grier has given out so far is four years to Tyler Toffoli and Ferraro. Evolving Hockey is projecting a Ferraro extension at six years at $4.3 million AAV. Does Ferraro want to stay and see the rebuild through or is he ready to start winning games after seven years of losing? Expect Ferraro to get traded and test the market this offseason.