Collin Graf signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Friday. It has an average annual value of $4.25 million.
The 23-year-old forward had NHL career-highs in goals (21), assists (25) and points (46) in 81 games for the Sharks last season.
"I took some time over the weekend to reflect and just see the journey that it's been," Graf said Tuesday. "Obviously, it's something where I'm not satisfied at all, like still working on my game, still trying to improve. But just to be a guy who was undrafted and overlooked by every team multiple times in the draft, it was nice to get that, and I'm not satisfied there. I keep working. Obviously as a team, we've got big goals of we're trying to make the playoffs this year. Whenever I talk to guys, that's the goal that everyone we're all focused on that. Then, personally, just trying to keep working on my game and adding stuff and just becoming a better player to help the team more."
An undrafted free agent who signed with San Jose on April 4, 2024, Graf has 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) in 121 NHL games and said he's looking to improve this season.
"I think still trying to work on things that I think I'm good at, obviously, defensively and offensively," Graf said. "For me, it's just trying to make some plays faster and then working on face-offs too maybe for the penalty kill or just for certain spots at times. Not a lot of right-handed face-off guys, I think besides (Ty Dellandrea), so just working on that as well."
Graf helped the Sharks improve by 19 wins and 32 points from 2024-25 to last season.
"Collin was a big part of our team’s improvement this past season, being an effective penalty killer for us and his versatility in the lineup was extremely valuable," Sharks general manager Mike Grier said. "His hard-working attitude and work ethic is a big reason why his game took another stride last year, and he continues to be an important person in our young group of players. We’re happy we are able to keep him a Shark for the next several seasons."
