{"id":301870,"date":"2026-05-06T02:27:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T02:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/301870\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T02:27:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T02:27:21","slug":"sharks-awarded-2nd-overall-pick-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/301870\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks Awarded 2nd Overall Pick In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the San Jose Sharks picking second overall in 2026, Macklin Celebrini<\/a> gets another top-tier talent to help him turn around the franchise.<\/p>\n

After winning the second draw in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery<\/a>, the Sharks moved from 9th overall to 2nd. GM Mike Grier<\/a> spoke to reporters following the results and shared his emotions about another top-two pick in the NHL Draft.<\/p>\n

\u201cShocked, really. You never know what\u2019s going to happen and how the\u00a0balls are going to bounce. It\u2019s kind of happy and\u00a0excited. It\u2019s a good day for the organization,\u201d Grier said.<\/p>\n

After taking Michael Misa<\/a> second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Grier and co. will pick another high-end talent to add to an already blossoming team. The Sharks GM was especially thrilled for the fanbase<\/a>, who have endured seven years of struggles and no Stanley Cup Playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a lot of pain for the fans here, and to go through this. A lot of losing here at the tank, over the last couple of years. It got better this year, but the fan base has been through a lot,\u201d Grier said. \u201cI\u2019m just excited for them that we\u2019re hopefully trending in the right direction. This is something else that gives them something to hope and be excited for.\u201d<\/p>\n

#SJSharks<\/a> Grier says he just got off the phone with owner Hasso Plattner. Says he’s extremely excited and happy to win the 2nd overall pick<\/p>\n

\u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) May 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Projected top two picks Gavin McKenna<\/a> and Ivar Stenberg<\/a> are the first options that come to mind for the San Jose Sharks at No. 2. Grier and the scouting staff have done their homework on the prospects.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re very talented, gifted players. I\u2019ve had a chance to watch them both quite a bit over the last two years. Dynamic with the puck. They\u2019re both, I think, shoot-pass threats, which is not always the case with young players, but you know, there\u2019s playmaking and vision on both of them,\u201d Grier said about McKenna and Stenberg. \u201cThey think the game well and\u00a0at high\u00a0level, and are a threat to score, or create scoring chances every shift. So very talented players, they\u2019re exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grier did say during his exit interview that he\u2019d be open to trading the Sharks\u2019 top pick in the 2026 Draft, and that remains true. The Sharks GM has never been shy about listening to trade offers, but he holds a high price for No. 2 compared to No. 9.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always open to listening to what\u2019s out there, and if people have ideas or thoughts, I\u2019ll listen. We\u2019ll kind of go from there,\u201d Grier said. \u201cI don\u2019t know if it makes it unlikely, but it\u2019s obviously a different price tag [than] trading the ninth pick. That\u2019s\u00a0probably what the\u00a0part of the equation that changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Does #SJSharks<\/a> GM Mike Grier have a good luck charm?: “No, there’s no secret here for you. I wish there was a good story behind it. We’re just very fortunate and lucky that things have gone our way and we’ve been able to pick at the top of the draft.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) May 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The San Jose Sharks need a top-flight defenseman to help them get to the next level, and although there are options in this upcoming draft, Grier still wants to pick the best player on the board.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re picking at the top of the draft, we always try and go with the best player available. Really, I don\u2019t think we\u2019re gonna pass if there\u2019s a big gap between two players or two positions. We\u2019re not going to, you know, take a player just for need in that situation,\u201d Grier said. \u201cWe got to do our homework. We got to dig into it. Most likely we\u2019ll take who we feel is the best fit and the best player available.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2026 NHL Draft will be in Buffalo, NY, at the KeyBank Center from June 26-27.<\/p>\n