San Jose Sharks
A preview of the 2026-27 NHL season for the San Jose Sharks, including predictions from VSiN NHL Expert Jonathan Davis. For all other NHL team previews, check out our NHL page.
Key Additions: Mason Marchment, Ivar Stenberg, Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, Michael Kesselring, Eric Comrie
Key Departures: William Eklund, Philipp Kurashev, John Klingberg, Mario Ferraro, Vincent Desharnais, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Ryan Reaves
Overview
The San Jose Sharks’ 86 points last season were a 34-point increase from the 2024-25 season, the largest point increase of any NHL team from the prior season. It was also the most points in a regular season for the team since the 101 they put up in 2018-19. In just his second NHL season, Macklin Celebrini set the franchise single-season points record with 115, eclipsing the previous mark set by Joe Thornton (114). His 45 goals last season put him behind only Nathan MacKinnon (53), Cole Caufield (51) and Connor McDavid (48). Celebrini, who is in the final year of his entry-level contract, signed a five-year, $94 million extension ($18.8 million AAV) that starts next season.
The Sharks were one of the most active teams this summer as they rebuilt their blueline with the additions of Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, and Michael Kesselring. They signed Mason Marchment, the son of the late Bryan Marchment, who spent five-plus seasons with the Sharks, and used the second pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to select winger Ivar Stenberg, who has the potential to crack the opening night roster.
Offense
San Jose was middle of the pack in goals scored last season. Their 249 goals ranked 17th. Macklin Celebrini led the team in goals (45), assists (70), points (115), shots on goal (287), and scored the Sharks’ first goal of the game a team-high 14 times. He factored in 46% of the Sharks’ goals last season, second only to Connor McDavid, who factored in 49% of the Oilers’ goals. Despite playing five fewer games than the previous season, Will Smith’s goal production increased from 18 to 24, and his point total from 45 to 59. In his first full season, Colin Graf cracked the 20-goal mark (21), earning him a new three-year deal ($4.25 million AAV), and Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov (both with nine goals) should reach double-digit goal production in 2026-27.
Defense
The good news for the Sharks last season was that they allowed 20 fewer goals than the prior season, but the 290 they allowed still ranked them the third-worst defensive team (30th overall). General Manager Mike Grier’s answer was to add NHL experience to the back end. He traded for Darnell Nurse from Edmonton, Michael Kesselring from Buffalo, and signed free agent Jacob Trouba. Sam Dickinson, selected 11th overall in 2025, should have an expanded role this season and could see power play time. He had just one goal in 72 games last season but did put up 29 goals and 91 points in his last full season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty-one-year-old Luca Cagnoni, a fourth-round draft pick in 2023, has nine NHL games on his resume and could earn a spot on the team’s third pair.
Goaltending
The Sharks are expected to bring back the same tandem from last season of Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic. In his first full season, Askarov showed why he was the 11th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, highlighted by an eight-game stretch in November where he gave up two goals or fewer in seven of the eight games. But he ended the season with a goals against average of 3.63, almost a full goal more than Nedeljkovic (2.87). With a season under his belt and an improved blueline in front of him, I anticipate his goals against average to go down and his save percentage to improve from where he finished last season at .884.
San Jose signed Eric Comrie in the summer to a two-year deal for added depth at goalie. Comrie spent the past two seasons with the Winnipeg Jets (3rd stint with the team).
Player to Watch
After putting up just three points in his first 10 games, Michael Misa finished with 18 points in his final 35 games. The second overall pick from the 2025 Draft averaged close to two points per 60 minutes at full strength, despite averaging less than 13 minutes per game (12th among Sharks forwards). With his ice time likely to increase, cracking the 50-point mark is well within reach for Misa.
Outlook
San Jose missed the playoffs by just four points last season, and while I believe it will take a minimum of 95 points, a nine-point improvement from last season, I don’t view that as unattainable. I am not interested in laying the current price of (-150) for the Sharks to make the playoffs. Back in June, I grabbed Macklin Celebrini to win the Hart Trophy (+650), and I still like him at (+450). If San Jose had made the playoffs last season, I believe he would have won the award. The Sharks (+850) to win the Pacific Division also offers good value.
Team Futures
Regular Season Points: 94.5 (Over -130, Under +100)
To Make the Playoffs: (-150)
To Miss the Playoffs: (+120)
To Win the Division: (+850)
To Win the Western Conference: (+1700)
To Win the Stanley Cup: (+3500)
2025-26 Recap
Record: 39-35-8 (86 points, 5th in Pacific Division, 11th in Conference)
Over/Under: 31-39-2
Home Favorite: 3-6 // Home Dog: 15-14
Road Favorite: 1-3 // Road Dog: 17-20
Win Score 4 or more: 25 of 39 // Lose Give Up 4 or more: 34 of 43
Puck Line Wins: 17 of 39 // Puck Line Losses: 30 of 43
Front End Back-to-Back: 11-5 // Back End Back-to-Back: 6-10
Points Leader: Macklin Celebrini – 115
Goal Leader: Macklin Celebrini – 45
Teams First Goal Leader: Macklin Celebrini – 14, Will Smith – 10
Assist Leader: Macklin Celebrini – 70
Shots on Goal Leader: Macklin Celebrini – 287
Blocked Shots: Mario Ferraro – 150
Depth Chart
Forwards
Igor Chernyshov / Macklin Celebrini / Will Smith
Mason Marchment / Michael Misa / Collin Graf
Ivar Stenberg / Alex Wennberg / Kiefer Sherwood
Tyler Toffoli / Zack Ostapchuk / Ty Dellandrea
Defense
Sam Dickinson / Jacob Trouba
Darnell Nurse / Dmitry Orlov
Luca Cagnoni / Michael Kesselring
Goalies
Yaroslav Askarov / Alex Nedeljkovic