A playoff berth was unthinkable for the Sharks a year ago, but an unexpected turnaround in the 2025-26 NHL season has fans champing at the bit.

The breakout of 19-year-old star Macklin Celebrini has spurred the reversal. With the March 6 NHL trade deadline in the rearview mirror and the Sharks on the cusp of a wild card spot, the team has the option of making a move to strengthen this year’s squad.

But Sharks president Jonathan Becher told NBC Sports California’s Alan Hoshida the team will not risk their ability to sustain future success for a short-term return.

“It starts with: what’s the goal here? The goal is not a one-and-done,” Becher explained. “A lot of times, fans ask me, ‘What do we do to push for the playoffs this year?’ And my answer is that’s not what the goal is here.” 

The Sharks are in the midst of a six-year playoff drought – the longest in franchise history. It’s new – and uncomfortable – territory for the organization and its fanbase.

But the rebuild engineered by general manager Mike Grier aims to bring the Sharks back to the long-term success they know and not be sidetracked by short-term gratification.

“You may remember we had a 20-year run when we made the playoffs every year except for [two] of those,” Becher noted. “So, it’s not just about this year, but it’s about making decisions for next year and the year after.” 

The Sharks now have a promising young core headlined by Celebrini, but it also includes 20-year-old center Will Smith and 23-year-old goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Celebrini’s stardom has accelerated the perceived rebuild timeline, but the Sharks brass remains steadfast in their approach towards the future. 

“Macklin is only 19. You look at hockey players; they play well into their late 30s,” Becher noted. “We might end up with a 20-year run here; a lot of the other players are young as well.

“And so, the point is: don’t push too hard. Let’s make this a sustainable long-term thing, and the rest will take care of itself.”

The organization’s alignment toward the future, however, does not prevent it from making personnel moves for short-term benefits. The Sharks acquired veteran forward Kiefer Sherwood on an expiring contract in January for two future second-round picks. 

With the trade deadline looming, Becher notes that Grier has the autonomy to make decisions. 

“At the end of the day, this is Mike’s ultimate decision,” Becher said. “This is why we hired him to be the general manager… 

“… In general, [owner] Hasso [Plattner] and I are giving him more general guidance and count on him to make the right decisions.” 

The Sharks made a pair of small moves before last Friday’s trade deadline, resisting the urge to make a swing-for-the-fences blockbuster deal.

Even if the Sharks fall short of a playoff berth when the regular season concludes in mid-April, Becher and the rest of the organization can be satisfied with a drastic year-over-year improvement and another positive step in San Jose’s rebuild. 

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