Sharks ink Russian goalie Melnichuk, Swedish forward Handemark
The San Jose Sharks have made a pair of international signings.
Netminder Alexei Melnichuk agreed to a contract with the club, agent Dan Milstein confirmed Monday. It's a two-year contract with an average annual value of $925,000, reports the Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.
The Sharks also came to terms with forward Fredrik Handemark, the club announced. His pact is for one year, and it's worth $792,500, according to Pashelka.
Melnichuk posted a .930 save percentage in 16 games with SKA Saint Petersburg this season. The Sharks were reportedly the front-runners to land the 21-year-old.
San Jose was in need of goaltending depth, considering the struggles of starter Martin Jones and the pending unrestricted free agency of backup Aaron Dell. Melnichuk was the youngest of SKA's three primary goalies this season, but he outperformed his older counterparts.
Handemark was undrafted and had spent his entire career in Sweden. The 26-year-old produced 14 goals and 38 points in 52 games with Malmo this season.
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