San Jose Sharks’ newly signed prospect Cam Lund is ready to take the ice, as plans are set for his NHL debut.
Selected with the No. 34 pick in the 2022 Draft, 20-year-old Lund was signed by the Sharks on March 21, 2025, after an impressive college career at Northeastern University. The Sharks have secured the promising right-handed winger on a three-year entry-level contract that will officially begin in the 2024-25 season. Excitingly, Lund will join Sharks practice on March 24, 2025, and his NHL debut could occur as soon as March 27, when the Sharks will host the Toronto Maple Leafs, showcasing his talents at the top level.
Lund's addition brings a renewed sense of anticipation for the Sharks, particularly as they evaluate their roster and reshape their team. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, Lund is a formidable presence on the ice, demonstrating tremendous scoring skill during his time in the NCAA. In his junior season at Northeastern, he finished with 18 goals and 40 points in 37 games, achieving an average of 1.08 points per game, which tied for 31st among all Division I players.
However, Lund's arrival adds to a crowded forward group in San Jose where 14 forwards are currently on the roster. Competition for playing time is fiercer than ever as players like Klim Kostin and Noah Gregor find themselves expected to be healthy scratches for the Sharks’ upcoming game against the Boston Bruins at SAP Center.
Sharks’ head coach Ryan Warsofsky highlighted the importance of this moment for many players in the locker room: “This is an important time for some players in this locker room to really establish themselves. Someone’s going to get left behind, and someone’s going to continue to push forward, earn themselves an opportunity, and earn themselves a job in the future.” Lund's signing comes at a critical juncture as the Sharks work to give their younger players, including defenseman Luca Cagnoni and center Zack Ostapchuk, experience at the NHL level.
After a strong finish to his NCAA season, Lund signed with the Sharks following Northeastern’s heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Maine in the Hockey East playoffs semifinals on March 20, 2025. At this intersection between his high school and collegiate careers, Lund's impact on the Sharks cannot be underestimated. He is joining a lineage of Massachusetts-born players within the organization, following in the footsteps of forwards Will Smith and Collin Graf, along with defenseman Henry Thrun.
“We need more,” Will Smith cheerfully remarked regarding the increasing Massachusetts presence in the Sharks’ roster, noting his familiarity with Lund from their collegiate encounters. Lund had previously made headlines during the 2023 season when he netted a hat trick in a stunning upset over Boston College—then the No. 1 team in the country. This was a significant accomplishment, and he continued to deliver during the tournament, amassing two goals and three assists in recent Hockey East tournament games.
Warsofsky expressed pride in Lund's growth: “First year watching him, he looked a little shy and tentative, and now he’s grown into himself, which usually happens to these players when they first get drafted, but he’s come a long way. Just watching his games this year, I think he’s going to fit in well, so we’re excited to work with him. Another former Cushing Academy Penguin.”
Competing for roster spots, players like Kostin, who has seen a decline from previous performances, are at risk of falling out of favor. Kostin, who has struggled with consistency and has tallied only seven points in 34 games while averaging just over 10 minutes of ice time, will need to prove himself in the remaining games. “Not even game to game, but shift to shift,” remarked Warsofsky on Kostin’s challenges, indicating that every player must bring their best to the ice.
In a competitive atmosphere filled with current and emerging talents, Lund’s introduction to the Sharks comes at a pivotal moment in the season. With potential matchups against powerhouses like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers in the coming days, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Lund will perform at the professional level. His ability to adapt and capitalize on this opportunity will not only shape his immediate future but may also influence the Sharks' direction moving forward.
The future indeed looks promising as Lund steps into the challenge that lies ahead. Sharks faithful are hopeful that this talented forward will bring the spark needed to elevate their team as they strive for success in the NHL.
