The San Jose Sharks have entered the 2026 offseason expecting progress after a solid growth in the 2025-26 season. They are facing a far more important question: how should they build around Macklin Celebrini after landing the No. 2 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery?
San Jose’s rapid rise changed the conversation around the franchise. One year after finishing near the bottom of the standings, the Sharks won 39 games and narrowly missed the playoffs by four points. Celebrini’s historic 115-point season accelerated the rebuild far ahead of schedule and pushed general manager Mike Grier into a different phase entirely.
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Now the debate centers on roster construction, not survival.
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Speaking on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney argued San Jose should avoid overthinking the second pick.
“The San Jose Sharks getting a second overall pick,” Whitney said. “That’s even more incredible because now they don’t even have to make the decision. But if you are somebody who says it’s Stenberg or McKenna and it’s somewhat of a battle, well, whoever they don’t take, we got …
“Now, people have said they have to take a D. I kind of get that, but if you’re talking about a generational-type player, I think you take best player available and figure it out.”
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That comment cuts directly to the Sharks’ dilemma. If Toronto Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna first overall as expected, San Jose could choose between elite winger Ivar Stenberg or a franchise defenseman like Chase Reid or Carson Carels.
Celebrini changed the Sharks’ timeline
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) and center Will Smith (2) at San Jose
Most rebuilding teams draft based strictly on upside. The Sharks are no longer operating in that space.
Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund already form one of the NHL’s best under-23 cores. San Jose finished second in league-wide scoring contributions from players aged 23 or younger.
That changes the urgency around defensive structure.
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The Sharks still allowed goals at an alarming rate and finished with one of the NHL’s weakest penalty kills. Their blue line lacks a true anchor capable of handling heavy minutes in all situations. That is why many around the league believe San Jose should prioritize defense over another elite forward.
Whitney acknowledged that possibility too, saying the Sharks could justify taking a defenseman if they project as a “Chris Pronger-style” cornerstone capable of playing 25 minutes a night.
Free agency may shape the draft decision
San Jose’s cap flexibility adds another layer to the equation, since they will have $41.5 million in cap space for the next season.
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One of Spittin’ Chiclets hosts, Mike Grinnell, suggested the Sharks could aggressively pursue Rasmus Andersson this summer. The fit makes sense. San Jose has massive cap space and very few long-term commitments outside its young core.
“They have $40 million in cap space next year, $82 million the year after that,” Grinnell said. “They still have to sign Will and Mack, but you go sign him, maybe pair him with [Sam] Dickinson, that kid they got 11th overall a few years ago who played in London.”
If the Sharks believe Andersson is attainable, selecting Stenberg at No. 2 becomes easier. A Celebrini-Stenberg-Smith offensive nucleus would immediately become one of hockey’s most dangerous young groups.
But relying on free agency to fix a defense can be risky. Elite defensemen rarely hit the market in their prime, and rebuilding teams often overpay for stability.
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The smarter long-term play may still be drafting the best defenseman available and building a complete structure around Celebrini instead of simply maximizing offense. The Sharks already have star power. The next step is creating a roster capable of surviving playoff hockey.