Colin White leaves the Sharks organization, signs one-year deal with the New Jersey Devils

New Jersey has added depth up front with the signing of Colin White, a forward who previously spent time in the San Jose Sharks organization and the San Jose Barracuda. White will play the 2026-27 season under a one-year contract with the Devils, marking a clear departure from the Bay Area and a new chapter in his pro career.

White, 29, joined the Sharks organization ahead of the 2024-25 season. According to the reporting, he quickly became a key piece for the Barracuda during that stretch, reflecting how his game translated to regular work in the AHL even while he was still working to secure a stable NHL role.

His first season with San Jose also included limited NHL action. The report notes that White appeared in three NHL games for the Sharks during his initial year under contract with the organization, giving him a small window into the demands of the league level while he continued to develop his consistency.

For the Sharks, the departure fits the broader reality of NHL and AHL roster churn, where organizations often cycle through players who can contribute at multiple levels. White’s time in the system, combining minor-league impact with short NHL appearances, suggests he was viewed as a reliable option within the club’s depth pipeline.

For the Devils, the addition is best understood as organizational depth rather than a headline star move, at least based on the publicly reported length of the deal. A one-year contract typically indicates a “prove it” opportunity for a player to earn a bigger role, whether that means more time in the NHL lineup or a prominent position as a high-responsibility forward across the Devils’ roster and development structure.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, the practical questions around this signing are straightforward: how quickly White can adapt to New Jersey’s style, and whether he can convert his AHL effectiveness into a longer stretch of NHL games. Those answers will determine whether this is primarily a depth insurance move or the start of a more durable role for the forward.

White’s signing also serves as a reminder that the path between the AHL and NHL remains active for many veteran players. Even after earning a handful of games at the top level, White’s best chances to stand out likely come from producing consistently when given regular minutes and then pushing to keep that momentum when called up.