After this year’s draft, teams across the NHL announced restricted free agents they have extended qualifying offers to. These qualifying offers are an extension of good faith, showing an intention to enter contract negotiations. The San Jose Sharks issued two qualifying offers: one to Shakir Mukhamadullin and one to Collin Graf.
However, in Mukhamadullin’s case, this was not the extension of good faith fans were hoping for. Not long after announcing his qualifying offer, Mukhamadullin was traded to the Edmonton Oilers (along with Zach Sharp) in exchange for defenseman Darnell Nurse. The immediate 180 with Mukhamadullin has made fans a bit worried about the fate of Collin Graf.
Since the announcement of his qualifying offer, there has been total radio silence regarding Graf’s negotiations/future with the team. In fact, there has been no word of any negotiations with any player (like Macklin Celebrini) in a while. Sharks fans were excited to hear a qualifying offer was extended to Graf, but nerves are taking over as he is a very in-demand player.
Graf has been an underdog his whole career, showing hard work pays off, which is a big part of his appeal. After his freshman year at Union College, Graf transferred to Quinnipiac University where he won a national championship his first season with the university. He was never drafted, but his second season at Quinnipiac in 2024 was successful enough for the Sharks to snatch him up and get him on contract.
Incredibly valuable to the organization for his versatility, Graf recorded 46 points (21G, 25A) in 81 games this past season. His ability to play center and right wing, kill penalties/defend, and jump in and succeed on any line is not lost on the powers that be at the Sharks, but it’s also not lost on the rest of the league. There are many teams with their eyes on Graf, and if the Sharks aren’t careful he might be offer-sheeted and grabbed by another organization.
A hardworking underdog like Graf isn’t a player that comes around frequently, and his value is well known outside of just the Sharks organization. Getting him on a new contract should be a top priority for the Sharks, if it’s not it might turn into something we regret.
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