2026 NHL Draft Needs: San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks remain one of the NHL's youngest teams, but there is finally a sense of optimism surrounding the franchise. After several difficult seasons near the bottom of the standings, General Manager Mike Grier has assembled one of the league's strongest prospect pools. He appears positioned to take another significant step forward during the 2026 offseason.

While most rebuilding clubs focus solely on accumulating draft picks, San Jose enters this summer with a more balanced challenge. The organization must continue adding elite young talent while simultaneously surrounding its emerging stars with experienced NHL players who can help establish a winning culture.

With the #2 pick overall and three total first-round picks, the Sharks may be able to move one of their selections for a veteran player to help their young corps. Grier has a little over 40 million in available cap space, too, making high-end free-agent targets part of their strategy. 

Current Assets

Everything begins with Macklin Celebrini. 

The young center quickly established himself as the face of the franchise and possesses the type of two-way game that championship teams build around. Celebrini combines elite hockey intelligence with high-end offensive skill and competitive drive. More importantly, he has already demonstrated leadership qualities that suggest he can eventually wear the captain's "C" for many years.

Alongside Celebrini is Will Smith, another cornerstone piece acquired through the draft. Smith's offensive creativity and playmaking ability give San Jose a potentially dynamic one-two punch down the middle. If both players continue developing as expected, the Sharks could possess one of the NHL's strongest young center combinations within the next several seasons.

Team Needs

Despite the excitement surrounding the young core, several significant needs remain. The most obvious need is defensive help.

San Jose continues to allow too many quality scoring opportunities and lacks a proven top-pairing defenseman capable of handling difficult minutes against elite competition. While exciting prospect Sam Dickinson projects as a future impact player, expecting a young defenseman to immediately solve every problem would be unrealistic.

The Sharks also need additional scoring depth on the wings.

Celebrini and Smith can create offense, but successful teams surround talented centers with reliable finishers. Adding another top-six winger should be among the organization's offseason priorities.

Veteran leadership is another area requiring attention.

Rebuilding teams often underestimate the value of experienced players who understand how to prepare, practice, and compete throughout an 82-game schedule. San Jose's young stars need veterans who can help establish professional habits while reducing some of the nightly pressure placed upon the organization's future cornerstones.

Finally, goaltending remains a question mark.

While there are pieces in place, consistency in net could become a deciding factor in whether the Sharks take a meaningful step forward next season.

Draft Day Strategy

The safest approach would be to select the best player available regardless of position, in this case, Sweden’s Ivar Stenberg. Stenberg is a cerebral, fast-moving winger with elite scoring touch. He can make plays from anywhere and is already a two-way standout. Some, off the record, think he may be a better choice than the first-ranked prospect, Gavin McKenna.

However, the Sharks are rumored to be considering moving the second pick overall for the right price. Such a move would only make sense if San Jose received young NHL-ready talent capable of helping immediately while still fitting the long-term timeline.

Free Agency Targets

Unlike recent summers, San Jose should not enter free agency searching for aging stars on expensive contracts. The Sharks need targeted additions.

A veteran defenseman capable of playing top-four minutes would make sense. Players like John Carlson or Jacob Trouba could stabilize the blue line while reducing pressure on younger defenders.

The organization should also explore the market for middle-six scoring wingers. Players capable of producing 20 to 25 goals while maintaining responsible defensive play would complement the emerging young core nicely.

Trade Possibilities

San Jose possesses something every rebuilding team values: flexibility. With draft capital, prospects, and available cap space, the Sharks have multiple avenues to improve the roster.

One possibility involves targeting a young defenseman who may be blocked elsewhere on a deeper roster. Organizations facing salary-cap pressure frequently become willing trade partners during the offseason.

The Sharks could also absorb an undesirable contract if doing so allows them to acquire additional assets. This strategy has worked effectively throughout the rebuild and could continue generating long-term value.

Final Outlook

For the first time in several years, San Jose fans have legitimate reasons for optimism.

The foundation is in place. Celebrini is a legitimate franchise player. Smith continues to develop, and the prospect system remains loaded with talent.

The next challenge is transitioning from rebuilding to competing.

That does not necessarily mean a playoff berth next season. It does mean playing meaningful games later into the year, establishing a stronger defensive identity, and creating an environment where young stars can continue developing without carrying the entire organization on their shoulders.

San Jose is not finished rebuilding, but for the first time in a long time, the destination is finally becoming visible.