The young forward showed scoring talent in the WHL and AHL.
The Arizona Coyotes to San Jose Sharks pipeline remains strong, as the Sharks acquired signing rights to center Lane Pederson in exchange for the team’s fourth-round pick in 2024.
The now 23-year-old forward went undrafted while eligible, signing with the Coyotes as a free agent in October 2016. His juniors career saw him bounce between three teams in the Western Hockey League, eventually landing with the Swift Current Broncos, where as an alternate captain in the 2016-17 season, he put up more than a point per game.
We know the Sharks love a point per game WHL forward, and Sharks general manager Doug Wilson confirmed as much in a press release.
“We have been following Lane since his time with Swift Current and has continued to improve every season,” said Wilson. “We are excited to add a young, up-and-coming right shot center who has offensive upside and is difficult to play against.”
Pederson joined the Tucson Roadrunners in the American Hockey League ahead of the 2017-18 season. Over the last four seasons, he’s played in 183 AHL games, notching 58 goals, 66 assists and 100 penalty minutes. Last season, he made his NHL debut, appearing in 15 games for the Coyotes, scoring one goal and two assists.
The 6-foot-0, 190-pound forward shoots right-handed and will not be waivers eligible this season. The Sharks immediately signed the pending-restricted free agent to a two-year contract, with a cap hit of $750,000 each year. The first year of the contract also includes a minors salary of $300,000.