SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks made their first move of NHL free agency on Wednesday, signing veteran forward Mason Marchment to a five-year deal with an average annual value of $6.75 million, making him their highest-paid forward.
Marchment is the son of Bryan Marchment, the former Sharks defenseman and scout who died unexpectedly on July 6, 2022, in Montreal, where he and other members of the team’s front office were preparing for the NHL draft.
Bryan Marchment was known as one of the NHL’s most ferocious defensemen of his era, and was also described as a caring and compassionate father and friend away from the rink. He spent more than 20 seasons with the Sharks organization — 334 games as a player and 15 as a member of the Sharks scouting department.
Bryan Marchment played in San Jose from March 1998 to March 2003, when Mason was still a young child. Bryan Marchment wore number 27 with the Sharks, and Mason, after Bryan passed away, wore his dad’s number during his three seasons with the Dallas Stars and with the Seattle Kraken this past season.
“It’s full circle,” Marchment told TSN on Wednesday morning. “Me and my family couldn’t be more excited.”
Marchment, 31, just finished his seventh NHL season in which he had 45 points in a combined 68 games with the Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets. He’s scored at least 18 goals in a season four times, including a career-best 22 goals with the Dallas Stars in both 2023-24 and 2024-25.
With the deal, the Sharks add scoring but also some needed size to their top-nine forward group. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, Marchment, a left wing, is currently the tallest Sharks forward, an inch taller than centerman Zack Ostapchuk.
Led by Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks are loaded with young talent up front, but also have veteran presences in Tyler Toffoli, Alexander Wennberg, Kiefer Sherwood and Barclay Goodrow, among others.
Marchment said he had “a couple of options” as a free agent, but added joining the Sharks “is something I’ve always, in the back of my head, kind of wanted to do, and I think it’s perfect timing. They’re on the (rise), and they’ve got so many young, talented players. (General manager Mike Grier) has done a great job of bringing in some guys to help them, and hopefully I can be one of those guys.”
Playing on a team with Celebrini, who was fourth in the NHL last season with 115 points in just his second year, also played a factor in Marchment’s decision.
“He comes in, and he really took the league by storm,” Marchment said of Celebrini. “Just playing against him, watching him, watching clips of him, he’s a one out of one of a kind of player.”
Growing up a Sharks fan, Marchment just finished the final season of a four-year, $18 million contract that carried a $4.5 million cap hit.
“Adding veteran pieces that can help lead those guys, it’s exciting,” Marchment said. “When the team’s good, the ‘Shark Tank’ is buzzing, so it’s going to be fun.”