It's been six years since the San Jose Sharks last appeared in the playoffs and they've been the NHL's bottom feeders ever since, but that trend could be on the upswing ahead of schedule thanks to the club's rich prospect pool and wise offseason moves.
The Sharks have finished dead last in the league in back-to-back seasons now, but there's more reason for optimism than many would give them credit for. In fact, Corey Pronman from The Athletic ranks San Jose as the No. 1 rebuilding team that could compete for the Stanley Cup sooner than expected.
That doesn't mean that the team is going to be pushing for a deep playoff run as soon as this season, but the Sharks are on the right track when it comes to developing a formidable young core to shape the roster around. It could lead to a surprising jump in the standings from the abysmal 20-50-12 record that the team posted this past season.
"It's time for everybody to really take that next step forward. Show that you can win the close games and you're competing every single night."Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli
That obviously begins with Macklin Celebrini, the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old managed to score 25 goals and a total of 63 points across 70 games in his rookie year, earning him third-place consideration for the Calder Trophy. That's an impressive total for a first-year NHLer, especially one playing for a team that produced a league-low 208 goals during the course of the season.
Celebrini oftentimes skates alongside Will Smith, and that dynamic duo is going to take the league by storm before long. Smith, who was selected fourth overall in 2023, put up 18 goals and 45 points in 74 games during his rookie campaign. These skaters are able to find each other anywhere on the ice and have developed seamless chemistry together, giving a lot of hope that their sophomore seasons will build on the foundation that was laid down in 2024-25.
Forward William Eklund will be vying for a contract extension, so expect another career-high year out of the 22-year-old. He finished second on the team in scoring with 58 points,
Are these young stars ready for a full-time NHL role?
The final member of the Sharks' "Core Four" up front is going to be Michael Misa, the second overall draft pick from 2025. The question is whether or not he is going to be a part of the Sharks roster on a nightly basis this season or whether he will return to Saginaw to play in the OHL. Misa has stated himself that he aims to make the opening night lineup, but training camp and preseason will reveal more about whether that is a real possibility.
Misa is the type of skater that makes everyone around him better with his dynamic, creative playmaking skills and the ability to find and execute plays that other players can't. He was voted the OHL's "Smartest Player" by the league's coaches in the Western Conference in the same season that he led the entire league in scoring. Misa's explosive offense and sharp IQ will undoubtedly elevate the Sharks offense that so desperately needs it, and it would not be a surprise to see him make an immediate transition to the NHL this season.
Having Yaroslav Askarov in net is one of the biggest reasons to be optimistic. The 23-year-old goalie is poised to have his first full NHL season this year, and has shown strong potential in his limited career thus far. Askarov posted a 4-6-2 record with a 3.10 GAA and .896 SV% in 13 games, then going on to lead the AHL with a 1.68 GAA and .935 SV% in the playoffs.
Askarov's best assets are his smart positioning and fluid movement, which allow him to cleanly navigate the crease without putting himself in an unfavorable spot to give up a goal. His base instincts and foundational skills are strong, giving an optimistic outlook on his future as the Sharks' starter going forward.
Adding veterans in the offseason could pay off for Sharks
The Sharks' young guns are accentuated by veterans holding the roster together, and that could wind up lifting the team in the standings. No one proves this more than Tyler Toffoli, who became the perfect counterpart to the top line of Celebrini and Smith. Toffoli offered the rookies an anchor to hold them down as well as being a creative skater to bounce off of, giving the team a solid first line to rely on moving forward.
GM Mike Grier also added a ton of experience through trades and free agency this summer, adding eight skaters who are already established NHLers. This is important particularly on the back end, where Grier added Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy. All three of those guys are tried and true blueliners that will help fill the gap left behind by stalwart defer Marc-Edouard Vlasic, whose contract was bought out.
Up front, forwards Jeff Skinner, Adam Gaudette, Philipp Kurashev, and Ryan Reaves will all be joining the ranks to fill out the team's middle and bottom six. That once again provides a level of stability for the younger prospects. Having experienced linemates and even just guys in the locker room is an invaluable part of growing in the NHL, which Grier certainly addressed with these additions.
Are the Sharks ready to make the playoffs right away in a competitve division? Maybe not this season. But it won't be long before San Jose's young core is carrying the team to victory.