At just 27 years old, Mario Ferraro undoubtedly is one of the Sharks’ veteran leaders.

While the 2017 NHL Entry Draft pick might not have expected to be thrust into that role by 2025, he told NBC Sports California’s Alan Hoshida he understands what’s expected of him after playing with stars like Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Logan Couture, among others.

Now, as San Jose turns the corner on their rebuild and hope to see improvement in the 2025-26 NHL season, Ferraro says it’s a different feel.

“It’s like a bittersweet thing because it definitely does feel different,” Ferraro told Hoshida at Sharks media day. “But now I want, you know, a different result. And I know that I’m not the only one. We all want different results. So, as much as it feels different, I try and say it, a little less because I just, I want to focus on actually putting it into action.”

From the 1996-97 season until the 2018-19 season, the Sharks never finished with less than 25 wins. Since Ferraro made his first appearance with San Jose in 2019, the team has won less than 25 games in a season four times.

Now, the defenseman says the team that’s filled with youthful talent with the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund is ready for – and expecting – more.

“There’s more energy,” Ferraro explained. “I think there’s more light at the end of the tunnel. And I do think it’s going to come a lot quicker than people think. And we’re hoping to do that this year.”

The team also added some key veterans during the offseason, such as John Klingberg, Jeff Skinner and Dmitry Orlov.

Those additions, Ferraro admits, might take some time to adjust, and while they might not have a ton of experience, he believes the team has a good amount of talent.

“I’ll get to know more about the group as camp goes on, but, yeah, we got more veterans,” Ferraro shared with Hoshida. “We got more experience, which is important. We have a good blend of young guys that have, you know, maybe less experience, but are really talented players with older guys that have been through it a little bit more and, but still have skill and still have talent and are still competing in this league at a high level.

“So, it’ll be fun. I like the moves that were made. I think we’re all going to kind of feed off each other. Like I said, we have more leaders in the room, but I think it’s going to help the young guys grow to become leaders as well. And that’s really important for our squad.”

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