San Jose Sharks seek to allow fewer goals in 2025-26
The Sharks have an impressively talented forward core to build around: Calder Trophy candidate Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund to name a few. Not to mention, San Jose has the second overall pick in the NHL Draft which is very forward-heavy this year.
The Sharks lead all teams with an enormous $41.8 million to spend this summer, and there are plenty of outlets to channel that money. One is going to be getting middle-lineup guys to replace all of the veterans dumepd at the deadline, like Mikael Granlund.
Like the Jackets, San Jose struggles with secondary scoring. Jonathan Marchessault has been brought up in trade talks, and he would bring a steady flow of offense in a middle-six type role. He scored 56 points in 78 games this season, and is just one year removed from a 42-goal campaign. At age 33, he brings the experience and reliable goal-scoring that the Sharks would highly benefit from.
San Jose will also look to strengthen its blueline and goaltending in the offseason. After all, defense is the best offense, and the first step in being able to challenge teams in the offensive zone is being able to get the puck out of your own end.
Ivan Provorov is among the best defesemen on the free agent market, and the Sharks should consider throwing some of that cap space at him. Provorov plays big minutes and takes on the role of a tough, gritty D-man who can still chip in on the scoresheet at times. He was +11 on a Jackets team that broke even in goals for and against. At just 28, he still has plenty of years to contribute and being able to lock down the netfront would be huge in improving the Sharks' defensive zone play.
In net, Yaroslav Askarov is the goalie of the future but he needs an anchor in the present. The goalie pool is quite shallow in terms of UFAs, but Tristan Jarry could be available via trade. The 30-year-old has solid career numbers with the Pittsburgh Penguins, posting a .909 SV% and 2.72 GAA across parts of nine seasons. He's coming off of a career-worst season as a full-time NHLer, but Jarry still has the potential to be a decent backup.
The Sharks are tired of being bottom feeders, and this could be the summer that rights the ship in San Jose if GM Mike Grier spends his money wisely.