Sharks' Thomas Bordeleau Could Be Outside Looking In – Hockey Writers – San Jose Sharks

As the San Jose Sharks continue their preparations for the 2024-25 NHL season, one task they must accomplish is deciding who will make their opening night roster. This decision is still months away, but if it happens, it will affect every player regardless of whether they get a place in the team or not. But perhaps no one will be more affected than forward Thomas Bordeleau. San Jose's 2020 second-round pick is entering his age-23 season, and the Sharks' growing power pool has pushed him down the depth chart. His future with the team is at a crossroads, and he may not be part of their future plans, especially if he doesn't start the year in the NHL. One way or another, the Sharks will have to make a tough decision on a former top player.

Sharks Forward Hopes Hurt Bordeleau's Chances

Through no fault of their own, many of the forward prospects the Sharks drafted or otherwise acquired made Bordeleau less prominent in San Jose's farm system. Bordeleau has had some solid moments in his professional career, but they may not have been enough to secure his spot on the Sharks NHL roster.

He was a 20-goal scorer in his one full season with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL), and the 2023 preseason earned him an opening night spot with the Sharks. But he was sent back to the minors after recording one goal and one assist in just six games. After scoring 11 goals and 14 assists in 35 AHL games, he rejoined the Sharks in March 2024 and spent the rest of the season there, doing a great job and finally looking like an NHL contributor. He was a valuable addition on the power play, showed the ability to touch the game around the crease, and improved his defense somewhat. He needed to end his season on a positive note for the sake of his future in the NHL, and he did.

But in the time since then, a lot has happened regarding San Jose's young players. Will Smith signed his entry-level contract, and the Sharks drafted and signed Macklin Celebrini when they also traded for Ty Dellandrea. Quentin Musty and David Edstrom aren't on NHL rosters yet, but will be eligible for a look soon. Add in William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund, complete with other top players, and Bordeleau's place on the Sharks is greatly reduced.

Bordeleau's development hasn't been entirely consistent, and he's starting to turn into a legitimate NHL player. Unfortunately, his tenure coincides with the rise of a Sharks team that looks to be one of the strongest in the league. At this point in his career, he's not guaranteed to be in the NHL this season, and the Sharks need to figure out what to do with that fact.

Bordeleau Contract Status Leaves Sharks With Few Options

Bordeleau is currently a restricted free agent and is not eligible for offer sheets, meaning the Sharks have control over the next steps of his career. They made him a reasonable offer, which shows that they are at least interested in keeping him for a while. Whether he accepts that one-year deal and becomes an unrestricted free agent next season or negotiates a longer, more expensive contract remains to be seen.

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Either option can have advantages and disadvantages for both parties. The former allows Bordeleau and the Sharks to gauge his NHL future for an extended period of time without having to make major commitments. But the Sharks will be risking losing him for nothing in 2025 if he has an off season, and Bordeleau could be without a team in a year if he continues to be stuck between the NHL and AHL as he is now. On the other hand, the Sharks could lock up a young player for multiple seasons, but that would be a mistake if he doesn't have a spot on the big team. Bordeleau will get more job security, but may end up getting a contract that pays him less than his value.

Finally, we must consider the most likely. If negotiations break down and the Sharks and Bordeleau can't come to an agreement, they could trade his negotiating rights — most likely to a forward-hungry team for a defenseman or defensive prospect to bolster their blue line. His emergence in the NHL could attract a team loaded with defensemen but short on forwards, which is the opposite of the Sharks' situation. While it's far from the most likely outcome, San Jose's front office should keep it in mind.

The toughest decision for the Sharks this offseason may be the future of Bordeleau, and he may be left out. Neither side can afford to wait long, and everyone involved deserves answers soon.