The San Jose Sharks continue their systematic approach to building organizational depth, announcing the signing of goaltender Jakub Skarek to a one-year contract. The deal, valued at $775,000 for the 2025-26 season, brings a 25-year-old netminder with recent NHL experience into the Sharks` system.
Skarek joins the Sharks after spending the past season primarily within the New York Islanders organization. A third-round selection (72nd overall) by the Islanders in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Skarek has navigated the professional ranks, gaining experience at both the NHL and AHL levels.
During the 2024-25 campaign, Skarek made his debut in the National Hockey League, appearing in two games for the Islanders. His brief stint resulted in an 0-1-0 record, accompanied by a 3.94 goals-against average and an .872 save percentage. While statistically a small sample, it represents his first taste of top-league action.
The bulk of his season was spent with the Islanders` American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. In 22 games played in the AHL, Skarek posted a 5-13-1 record. His minor league statistics for the year included a 3.52 GAA and an .884 save percentage, along with one shutout. These numbers might not set the world alight, but the Sharks brass sees attributes beyond the stat sheet.
Sharks General Manager Mike Grier commented on the acquisition via a team release, highlighting the team`s perspective on the new netminder. “Jakub has a plethora of professional experience in net at just 25 years old,” Grier stated. “He is a big, athletic goaltender with a lot of compete in his game.” This assessment suggests the Sharks are targeting specific physical and intangible qualities as much as, or perhaps more than, recent statistical performance.
At 25, Skarek is still relatively young for a goaltender, a position known for its later development curve. His signing on a contract close to the league minimum indicates he is likely intended to bolster goaltending depth within the organization, potentially competing for playing time with the AHL`s San Jose Barracuda or serving as a valuable call-up option for the NHL club. His arrival adds another piece to the puzzle as the Sharks continue to build out their roster and pipeline.
In essence, the signing of Jakub Skarek is a low-risk, depth-focused move. The Sharks acquire a physically imposing, competitive goaltender who has recent experience in both the NHL and AHL, adding another potential option to their goaltending pool as they look towards the future.
