SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks winger Fabian Zetterlund said he hasn’t thought much about his next contract. But make no mistake, he wants to be with the Sharks for the long haul.
“I love this place. I love the city. I love everything about it,” Zetterlund told Bay Area News Group, “so of course I want to stay here for a long time.”
Zetterlund, 25, is entering the final year of a two-year, $2.9 million contract he signed with the Sharks on July 1, 2023, a little over four months after he was acquired from New Jersey as part of the blockbuster deal that sent forward Timo Meier to the Devils.
It’s fair to say the first year of Zetterlund’s deal was an absolute bargain for the Sharks.
Zetterlund was a consistent goal-scorer throughout the 2023-24 season. He finished with 20 assists and a team-high 24 goals in 82 games as he started to establish himself as a top-six NHL winger, finding some success playing with William Eklund and Mikael Granlund.
The growth was obvious. Through his first 81 NHL games with New Jersey and San Jose, Zetterlund had a modest nine goals and 31 points.
There’s reason to believe Zetterlund will continue his upward trajectory.
During training camp, Zetterlund has spent time on a line with center Will Smith, who is just starting his rookie season. Smith, 19, can score goals but is considered an elite puck distributor, as he led all NCAA Division I players last season with 46 assists in 41 games.
Zetterlund has liked what he’s seen so far from Smith in what could be the beginning of a productive combination.
“I can see how he handles stuff out there. It’s just exciting to watch him and to be on the same line,” Zetterlund said of Smith. “I think we’re growing together. I’ve learned some stuff from him; he takes some stuff from me, so that’s how we get better.
“He is working hard out there and making some really nice plays, and he’s going to continue to do it the whole year.”
Zetterlund has put himself in a position to have another strong season, adding muscle and stamina after a rigorous offseason training program. That should help him around the net, where many of his goals were scored last season.
“I feel good. I don’t really get that tired out there. I can (physically) handle the practices more and use my brain more to think about something else, like making some plays, being around the net, and finding the good areas,” Zetterlund said. “I’m excited for the season to start.”
Another 20-plus goal season from Zetterlund, who is set to become a restricted free agent next summer, would put him in line for a healthy increase from the $1.45 million cap hit his contract now carries.
Martin Necas, also 25, had a combined 52 goals for the Carolina Hurricanes the last two seasons and had been involved in trade rumors before signing a two-year, $13 million contract extension in July as an RFA.
Whether that contract would be a decent comparable for Zetterlund’s next deal might depend on what happens this season. A 30-goal season might put him in a spot to become one of the Sharks’ higher-paid forwards.
Would the Sharks do another bridge deal with Zetterlund’s next contract, or go longer term and buy up some of his UFA years?
Zetterlund said he hasn’t heard about any contract extension talks between his camp and the Sharks. But he is excited about the team’s future and wants to be a part of a young forward core that also includes Macklin Celebrini and close friend William Eklund.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day, trying to get better, and I want to stay as a Shark,” Zetterlund said. “I have this season left on my contract, and I will do the best I can to help the team win games.”