Sharks Agree To Terms With Daniil Gushchin

May 21: The Sharks have officially announced the three-year, entry-level contract for Gushchin.

May 17: The San Jose Sharks have worked out a deal with one of their prospects as PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that they’ve signed winger Daniil Gushchin to a three-year, entry-level contract.  The deal, which carries a $925K AAV, breaks down as follows:

2021-22: $842.5K salary (including signing bonus, $82.5K performance bonuses, $80K AHL salary
2022-23: $867.5K salary (including signing bonus, $57.5K performance bonuses, $80K AHL salary
2023-24: $867.5K salary (including signing bonus, $57.5K performance bonuses, $80K AHL salary

The 19-year-old was a third-round pick of San Jose (76th overall) back in 2020 after a strong second season with Muskegon of the USHL.  He followed that up with an even better showing this season, notching 32 goals and 32 assists in just 46 games to lead the Lumberjacks in scoring.  However, Gushchin wasn’t supposed to play there this season as he had committed to playing with Niagara of the OHL.  When that season didn’t start on time, he was loaned back and with the OHL not playing at all, he was able to stay there for the entire season.

Gushchin won’t be expected to push for a roster spot with San Jose right away.  He will be eligible to go to the AHL next season but he will still be young enough to play junior hockey for the IceDogs and could see his contract slide a year unless he plays in more than nine NHL games in 2021-22, a scenario that seems unlikely at this point.