San Jose Sharks re-sign or decline: All unrestricted free agent forwards

Stefan Noesen, Right wing

Being a former first-round pick by the Ottawa Senators back in 2011, Stefan Noesen hasn’t produced offensively like a first-round pick should. In 199 career NHL games, Noesen has just 54 points (31 goals, 23 assists).

Although he doesn’t produce much offensively, Noesen plays solid defense, being just a -2 overall in his NHL career. Noesen also has decent possession metrics in his career, with a 49.1 CF% and 50.1 FF%.

In his one season with the Sharks, Noesen played in 34 games and scored eight points (six goals, two assists) with a plus/minus of -1 and ATOI of 11:50.

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His possession metrics were also good for being on a last-place team with a 51.4 CF%, 0.7 higher than the team when he’s off the ice and 52 FF%, 1.3 higher than the team when he’s off the ice.

My decision for Noesen is to re-sign him. Although he doesn’t produce much offensively, he provides a solid two-way depth forward piece for the bottom-six of the team.

Noesen plays a responsible two-way style of hockey that he can teach to the younger players coming up through the ranks of a San Jose Sharks franchise that has struggled defensively recently.

Being 27-years-old, I wouldn’t mind having Noesen playing in either the NHL or AHL. With a cap hit of just $700K this past season, he’s a cheap option, as well. The Sharks should be able to re-sign him on a one-year deal worth around the same.

Decision: Re-sign