Mike Grier is the general manager of the Sharks. Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
June 26, 2026 6:00 am EDT Updated
The San Jose Sharks have eight picks in the 2026 NHL Draft: Nos. 2, 9, 27, 62, 120, 127, 174, 201. Here’s what to expect.
View from the beat
Mike Grier has been an active general manager, first in acquiring Michael Kesselring for his defense while still keeping an extra first-round pick (No. 27). Now he’s got No. 9 as well as his own No. 2 pick after trading Eklund. It sure seems like winger Ivar Stenberg is the choice after McKenna. But Grier also needs to come away with an impact defender, either for now or the future. Or both. San Jose could be set up for years of success. — Eric Stephens
Pronman’s team needs
When you draft Macklin Celebrini and then follow it up a year later by adding Michael Misa with the No. 2 pick, you have secured the middle of the ice for the next decade. While Sam Dickinson is a very good defense prospect, the Sharks need to continue stockpiling high-end, mobile defensemen to consistently get the puck to their dynamos up front. It’s a very good draft for them to be looking at defensemen. The question is whether they take a forward or a defenseman with the No. 2 pick.
Names to watch
In recent mock drafts, Corey Pronman has projected the following picks:
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW
9. Daxon Rudolph, D
27. Brooks Rogowski, C
62. Olivers Murnieks, C
104. Alex Kostov, RW
127. Axel Brøngel-Larsson, D
157. Brayden Klimpke, D
174. Oleg Kulebiakin, RW
201. Daniel Walters, C
Jun 26, 2026
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