Overview

• Dmitry Orlov signed a two-year, $13 million contract with a $6.5 million annual average, making him San Jose’s highest-paid defenseman.
• The Sharks claimed veteran Nick Leddy off waivers from the St. Louis Blues, inheriting his $4 million cap hit and contract through 2025-26.
• Following these moves and John Klingberg’s earlier signing, San Jose retains just under $23 million in cap space with 23 players under contract.
• Orlov contributed six goals and 28 points over 76 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes while averaging 20 minutes of ice time.
• General manager Mike Grier is targeting experienced, playoff-tested defensemen to shore up a unit that has underperformed in recent years.