Sharks issue three qualifying offers, let former high draft pick walk

The San Jose Sharks have issued qualifying offers to restricted free agents Kevin Labanc, Jonathan Dahlen and Tony Sund, but are letting defenseman, Jeremy Roy, a 2015 second round draft pick, become a free agent.

Roy, 23, played 113 games for the Barracuda of the AHL from 2017 to 2020, but his career has been plagued by serious knee injuries. He tore the left anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Oct. 2016, and was injured again in Dec. 2017, cutting his first pro season short.

The Sharks traded up to draft Roy 31st overall in 2015. To acquire the pick, the Sharks sent the No. 39 selection in 2015, their second round pick in 2016 and their sixth rounder in 2017 to the Avalanche. Those picks turned into winger A.J. Greer, Cameron Morrison and Denis Smirnov. Only Greer played in the NHL, as he dressed for 37 games for the Avalanche over three seasons.

Goalie Andrew Shortridge also did not receive a qualifying offer, and both he and Roy become unrestricted free agents. Wednesday was the deadline to issue qualifying offers to restricted free agents.

The Sharks also announced that forward Antti Suomela agreed to a one-year, two-way contract and forward Manuel Wiederer agreed to a one year AHL deal. Suomela, a former free agent signing, has played in 47 NHL games over two seasons.

Dahlen is with Timrå IK in the Allsvenskan this season, although there is a chance he could play in North America in 2021 after Timrå.

Labanc, 24, is due a longer contract and a sizable raise from the one-year, $1 million contract he signed in the summer of 2019. Labanc had 33 points in 70 games last season, a dip from the 56 points he had the year before in 82 games.