Sharks add goalie, forwards in dizzying start to free agency
SAN JOSE >> The Sharks moved quickly Wednesday morning to address several of their biggest offseason needs.
Within a dizzying 30 minutes after the NHL’s free-agent window, the Sharks had signed forwards Nick Bonino, Andrew Cogliano and goalie James Reimer.
Bonino and Reimer signed two-year deals with San Jose with average annual values of $2.05 million and $2.25 million, respectively, and Cogliano signed a one-year deal worth $1 million.
Bonino, 33, averaged close to 15 minutes of ice time per game for the Minnesota Wild last season and he had 10 goals and 16 assists in 55 games. Cogliano, 34, just finished his 14th season in which he had 11 points in 54 games for the Dallas Stars.
Reimer, 33, just finished his 11th season, going 155-2 in 22 games with a .906 save percentage for the Carolina Hurricanes.
This is Reimer’s second time with the Sharks, as he was with the team for their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, backing up Martin Jones. He also played for Sharks coach Bob Boughner for two seasons from 2017 to 2019 while both were with the Florida Panthers.
The Sharks’ moves certainly weren’t the splashiest they’ve ever made on the first day of free agency. But they do address some of the team’s needs in terms of their forward group’s depth and a veteran netminder to work in tandem with Adin Hill.
The Sharks on Tuesday bought out the final three years of Jones’ contract. Sharks general manager Doug Wilson signed Jones to a six-year, $34.5 million deal in 2017, and Jones’ deal will remain on San Jose’s books until 2027.
Jones signed a one-year, $2 million deal Wednesday with the Philadelphia Flyers.