The San Jose Sharks continue investing in youth talent with recent signings of forward Cam Lund and defenseman Noah Beck.
On March 25, the Sharks signed defenseman Noah Beck to a one-year, entry-level contract. The 24-year-old left-shot is listed at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. Playing with Arizona State University, Beck earned 33 points in 27 games played (five goals, 28 assists). The St. Louis Blues drafted Beck in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Draft. His deal carries a $975,000 cap hit for the 2025-26 season.
Beck’s signing comes just a few days after San Jose added forward Cam Lund. On March 21, the Sharks signed Lund to a three-year, entry-level contract worth $2,825,001. The deal carries a cap hit of $941,667 per season.
At 20 years old, Lund just completed his junior season at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He logged 40 points in 37 games played, including 18 goals and 22 assists. That’s an average of 1.08 points per game, with a +1 plus-minus and 14 penalty minutes.
Lund practiced with the Sharks on Monday and could make his NHL debut Thursday at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Originally selected 34th overall in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Lund is the latest Massachusetts-born player to join San Jose’s roster. He joins fellow Bay Staters Will Smith, Collin Graf and Henry Thrun.
Team Teal now has 15 players aged 25 or younger on their roster. According to Elite Prospects, they are the second-youngest team in the NHL with an average age of 26.21 years. Only the Montreal Canadiens are younger, with an average age of 26.04.
On March 21, before Lund’s signing, San Jose also made a few roster moves. San Jose reassigned defenseman Jimmy Schuldt to the AHL’s Barracuda.
Appearing in six games during his latest stint with the Sharks, he averaged 15:33 of ice time per game. Schuldt recorded one assist in his debut, finishing with five shots and a -2 plus-minus overall.
On the same day as Schuldt’s reassignment, the Sharks recalled defenseman Lucas Carlsson in his place.
Carlsson’s recall marks a neat comeback story.
Last season, the 27-year-old tore his ACL while playing for the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. After the injury, the Sharks reached out to Carlsson, and he signed a two-year, two-way deal. Carlsson’s recovery caused him to miss training camp and most of the early season.
He played his first game with the Barracuda in November. With the Barracuda this season, Carlsson recorded 23 points in 44 games, (10 goals and 14 assists). Recalled to the NHL on Friday, the Sharks’ paired him with Timothy Liljegren on the third defensive unit.
The next night, Carlsson played his first NHL game since 2022‒and he scored the game-winning goal.
Carlsson managed to bury a backhand finish in front of the net to beat the Boston Bruins in a 3-1 Sharks win. Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini assisted on the play.
After the win, Carlsson finished with one goal, one assist, a +2 plus-minus, two shots and 18:18 of ice time.
As San Jose leans into youth, stories like Carlsson’s blend with the development of younger players like Smith, Celebrini, Luca Cagnoni, and now Lund.
With a long-term approach centered around youth, the draft lottery odds may also be on the front office’s mind. Per Daily Faceoff, San Jose currently holds the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery.
In games completed as of March 25, the Sharks hold a 25.5% chance of landing the pick. The Chicago Blackhawks have the second highest odds, with 13.5%. While NHL Draft Lottery dates aren’t announced, it’s historically held in May and expected around the same time.
With the season ending April 17, the Sharks remain focused on development, draft odds and proving the future is teal.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on X for more sports articles like this one.
Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
“From Our Haus to Yours”
