SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed Forward Alex True to an entry-level contract.

"Alex really made an impression on us with his skill-set this past season for the San Jose Barracuda," said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will. "He chose to sign a contract with the Barracuda last season even though he still had junior eligibility, and his development significantly improved under Head Coach Roy Sommer and his staff. His offensive abilities are an asset to the organization and we're excited to see him take the next step. Alex is another prime example of the tireless effort that our scouting staff puts in, especially in regards to amateur free agents, and we're proud of the success they have been able to achieve in that market."

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed Defenseman Ryan Merkley (@ryan_merkley) to a standard, entry-level contract.

"Ryan was one of the most talented players at his position in this year's draft and we were very excited to add him to our organization," said Wilson. "We were impressed with the way he handled himself as the youngest player at our summer development camp and feel that he has a whole new level he has yet to tap into. Ryan has the potential to be a difference maker at the NHL level and we are looking forward to watching his development this season."

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has re-signed Forward Chris Tierney to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

"Chris had his best season as a professional last year and stepped up his level of play in multiple areas," said Wilson. "We've always known he was a responsible, defensive-minded player, but he took his offensive game to the next tier and showed that he can be a productive player in all three zones. We look forward to watching him continue his evolution in 2018-19." 

Tierney, 24, set career-highs in nearly every major statistical category during the 2017-18 season as he recorded 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists), 118 shots on goal and was one of only three players to play in all 82 games with San Jose. In addition, he ranked fifth on the team in goals, tied for fifth in points, third in faceoff wins (488), fourth in takeaways (50) and led the team in shorthanded points (four) - all of which were career-highs. The fourth-year pro also led all Sharks forwards in shorthanded time on ice per game (1:34), and ranked fourth on Team Teal in penalties drawn (18, according to Natural Stat Trick). 

NHL.com updates the top 50 fantasy defenseman landscape based on past production and expectations for next season in standard Yahoo leagues. Fantasy owners should use these updated rankings as a basis for team evaluation, keeper decisions and offseason draft research. These rankings will be updated throughout the offseason after other signings, trades, injury and prospect news, training camp, NHL Preseason games, fantasy mock drafts and any other developments.

Everyone is well aware of Sharks captain Joe Pavelski's skills on the ice. And now people know about his skills on the green.

This past weekend, Pavelski took part in the annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, his third time at the tournament. Rife with celebrities and athletes alike, the skill level of the players range from three-time champ Mark Mulder to the famously bad Charles Barkley. Turns out that Pavelski is more on the Mulder part of that range.

A lot more on the Mulder part of that range.

Tweet from @SanJoseSharks: This is now a @jpav8 golf highlights account. #ACCGolf pic.twitter.com/DDFUDcBL3H

SAN JOSE -- Joshua Norris couldn't have picked a better time to show off the speed and skill that helped convince the San Jose Sharks to make the center prospect the No. 19 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

With time running out in the Sharks Prospect Scrimmage on July 6, Norris, 19, bolted past defenders on a rush, took a cross-ice pass and scored the game-winning goal from the left face-off circle with 13.4 seconds left at SAP Center.

One of the biggest myths for sports fans is that there is an offseason.

Before you start to disagree, allow me to explain. I am obviously aware that seasons end and that there are long and frustrating months until the next one begins. (Side note: Is it October yet?) But the idea that the off-season is a vacation in which nothing important gets done is wrong.

I won't even debate on how much work professional players put in during the off-season. However, I will point out a solid article from Tim Grover in SI who suggests every locker room should have this notice:

SAN JOSE - The San Jose Sharks hockey operations department today announced the following changes to the structure of their scouting department.

Tim Burke has been promoted to assistant general manager, where he will work in tandem with fellow assistant general manager Joe Will.

Burke's core responsibilities include evaluating professional and amateur players at all levels and overseeing the Sharks efforts in the annual NHL Draft.

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has re-signed Defenseman Dylan DeMelo (@ddems2) to a two-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Dylan proved last season that he's ready to be a full time NHL player and really blossomed towards the end of the year and into the playoffs," said Wilson. "His skating ability and strong play in both ends make him a valuable part of our blue line. He's extremely popular with his teammates and we are excited to have him back with our team." 

SAN JOSE, CA -  The San Jose Sharks prospects wrapped up a week at development camp with a scrimmage in front of nearly 5,000 hockey-starved fans at SAP Center. Here were some of the highights: 

Tweet from @SanJoseSharks: It's hockey. In July. And it's underway! pic.twitter.com/yq4TDh7Wjq

Tweet from @SanJoseSharks: Who had Jacob Middleton for the first goal of the scrimmage? ��#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/WLyWQTjnb5

Tweet from @SanJoseSharks: Karlsson (Linus, not Melker) ties it up for Team Marchment right away!#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/aiaOeJGoON