What happened: San Jose has reportedly signed forward Mason Marchment to a five-year deal worth roughly $7 million per season, with Elliotte Friedman first to report the agreement Wednesday morning. Marchment, 31, is the son of former Sharks player and scout Bryan Marchment. He arrives after a bounce-back stretch in Columbus, where he rediscovered his scoring touch following a mid-season path through Seattle.
Why it matters: The addition gives San Jose another established top-nine forward as it builds around its young core, but it also crowds the depth chart. Second overall pick Ivar Stenberg is expected to be NHL-ready, leaving GM Mike Grier to sort out a growing forward logjam. The signing marks a notable free-agent commitment for a San Jose club still in the early stages of its rebuild.
By the numbers: Marchment scored 15 goals and 32 points in 39 games with Columbus after playing just 29 games in Seattle following his trade from Dallas last summer. His career has also included stops with Toronto. Terms: five years, roughly $7 million AAV.
What to watch: Watch how Grier balances the forward group, particularly whether Stenberg steps directly into the lineup or the Sharks move a body to clear room.