SAN JOSE – Forward Danil Gushchin is the San Jose Barracuda’s all-time leading scorer and, after three seasons with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, is finally getting a chance to compete in the Calder Cup playoffs.

But Gushchin’s future in the Sharks’ organization is unclear. Like a few of his teammates, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Russian-born winger is a pending restricted free agent, and the Sharks will have to decide whether to issue those players in contract years qualifying offers to retain their NHL rights.

Gushchin had one point in 12 games this season with the Sharks, who have prioritized adding some size to the organization. Gushchin wants to play in the NHL, but hasn’t been able to hold onto a full-time spot with the Sharks.

If nothing works out in North America for Gushchin, a return to Russia to play in the KHL also appears to be an option.

“For sure, I want to play in NHL, right? It’s my dream (since I was) a younger kid, so hopefully that’s going to work for me,” said Gushchin, adding later, “I’ll talk with my agent, my family, and decide where the best (place is for) me and my career.”

Right now, Gushchin’s focus is on this week. After missing the playoffs the last two years, the Barracuda finished sixth in the AHL’s Pacific Division and will face the third-place Ontario Reign in a best-of-three first-round series that starts tonight in Los Angeles.

Gushchin, a third-round draft choice by the Sharks in 2020, is the Barracuda’s all-time leading scorer with 150 points in 182 AHL games. He spent the first month of the season with the Sharks but still scored a career-high 28 goals for the Barracuda and was third on the team with 51 points in 56 games.

“If you look at (Gushchin’s) goals per games played, it’s pretty high,” said Barracuda coach John McCarthy, the team’s previous all-time leading scorer with 138 points. “Obviously, he didn’t play all of the games for us. But a threat on the flank, on the power play, a threat 5-on-5, dynamic with the puck on his stick. Just an elite offensive producer at the AHL level.”

The 23-year-old Gushchin has produced throughout his time in San Jose, where he’s become more comfortable.

“He’s a guy that’s kind of come out of his shell a little bit,” McCarthy said of Gushchin. “Obviously, English isn’t his first language, but his English is strong, and I’ve seen a new side of him this year. He’s letting his personality out, and it’s good to see.”

“Great city, great weather,” Gushchin said of San Jose. “Good friends here, especially the Russian boys. I like all of them.”

Other Barracuda players who are pending RFAs include forwards Carl Berglund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Brandon Coe, defenseman Jack Thompson, and goalies Gabriel Carriere and Georgi Romanov. Colin White, Walker Duehr, Scott Sabourin, Pavol Regenda, and defenseman and team captain Jimmy Schuldt are set to become unrestricted free agents.