When the San Jose Sharks acquired Fabian Zetterlund from the New Jersey Devils, they had high hopes for him. He exceeded those hopes and has become one of the NHL's best-value contracts.

When the San Jose Sharks acquired Fabian Zetterlund from the New Jersey Devils, they had high hopes for him. He exceeded those hopes and has become one of the NHL's best-value contracts.

Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis compiled a top-ten list of the best contracts in the NHL for the upcoming season, and Zetterlund was the only Sharks player. 

Zetterlund has one year left on his current contract with a cap hit of $1.45 million. As last year's leading goalscorer for the Sharks, the Swede was also the only player to play all 82 games. 

"Zetterlund could have easily faded into obscurity on the Sharks, the worst team in the NHL, last year. Instead, he scored 24 goals and 44 points in his first 82-game NHL season, proving to be a crucial piece of the Timo Meier deal that sent the Swiss-born forward to the Devils in 2023. The Sharks are still going to be a bottom-feeder, but now Zetterlund will have a chance to play alongside either Macklin Celebrini, or, more likely, Will Smith on the second line," Ellis wrote. "His chemistry with Mikael Granlund should continue, so Zetterlund will be surrounded by some of the best help from his young career. The best part? The Sharks don't have many notable names needing new deals next summer, so if Zetterlund continues to be a serious scoring threat for the Sharks, he could be headed toward a solid salary increase."

The winger's production should increase this season as San Jose has brought more quality players to surround the young core. Like Ellis wrote, Zetterlund's established chemistry with Mikael Granlund should help him build off a successful season. William Eklund enters another year of progression, and if the 'Lund' line is broken up, San Jose has Will Smith or Macklin Celebrini as a second-line center.

The Sharks won't need to pay anyone big money after this offseason, which will benefit Zetterlund. GM Mike Grier will also have more flexibility as Brent Burns' $2.72 million retained cap hit comes off the books.

A big year for Zetterlund would get him good money next offseason, and he will firmly establish himself as a piece of the San Jose Sharks core.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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