Winnipeg beat out major contenders to land Mario Ferraro, a reliable shutdown specialist whose elite shot-blocking and physical grit promise to stabilize the Jets' defensive top-four.
On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets quietly secured one of the best free agents of the off-season, signing highly sought-after defenseman Mario Ferraro to a three-year contract worth $12 million with an annual cap hit at $4 million, according to multiple reports.
Ferraro entered free agency as one of the top defensive defensemen available, drawing reported interest from several contenders, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings.
Landing the 27-year-old is a significant win for Winnipeg, adding a dependable, minute-eating blueliner to its defensive corps.
Originally selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks, Ferraro has steadily developed into one of the league's more reliable shutdown defenders.
While not known for his offensive production, he has consistently chipped in between 15 and 20 points per season, including a career-best 23-point campaign while posting a minus-one rating over all 82 games.
Ferraro also brings valuable leadership experience. He served as one of San Jose's alternate captains in four of the past five seasons, earning a reputation as a respected voice both on and off the ice.
The veteran has been one of the NHL's most durable and dependable defensemen, averaging more than 21 minutes of ice time per game in each of the last six seasons. During the 2025-26 campaign, he recorded 137 hits, ranked first on the Sharks and tied for 16th in the league with 150 blocked shots, while also finishing second on the club with 36 takeaways.
Although Ferraro won't headline the scoresheet, his defensive reliability, physicality and ability to handle difficult matchups made him one of the most coveted blueliners on the market.
By winning the race for his signature, the Jets have added an experienced top-four option capable of logging significant minutes and strengthening their blue line heading into next season.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
