- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
San Jose Hockey Now has learned that the Sharks will not qualify restricted free agent Jonathan Dahlen.
This is something of a surprise, considering the team’s need for more goalscoring. Dahlen was the media-voted Sharks Rookie of the Year this past season, and through the first half of the year, the rookie was on a 20-goal pace.
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But the 24-year-old winger could never find his consistency in the second half, and he was healthy scratched at times. He also dealt with multiple health issues throughout the year, including being placed in COVID protocol twice, a concussion, and a couple upper-body injuries. From February on, Dahlen scored just one goal, finishing the season with 12 goals and 10 assists in 61 games.
It appeared, however, that Dahlen had done enough in the first half to at least secure another look next year. But at the draft, SJHN started hearing rumblings that the Sharks might look to walk away from Dahlen and the RFA’s arbitration rights.