The San Jose Sharks got off to quite the start in the 2026 Rookie Faceoff, as they beat the Los Angeles Kings 8-1 on Saturday,
This game featured fireworks of physicality, strong goaltending, and superstars doing their thing. While it was mostly good, the Sharks suffered a key injury. Here are five takeaways from the big win.
1. Ivar Stenberg comes to play
Ivar Stenberg made his unofficial debut for the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Donning the teal sweater for the first time in his career, Stenberg scored twice in 25 seconds in the third period,
Very quickly, the 2026 NHL Draft No. 2 pick proved why he was considered one of the best players in this year’s draft class. John McCarthy praised the young winger postgame for how he processes the game at such a young age.
“He’s played in a men’s league, and he processes things fast,” McCarthy said. “You tell him things once; generally speaking, he catches right on. He’s handling himself well.”
Stenberg himself was happy with how he played, but smiled the biggest when asked about the fights. In Sweden, players aren’t allowed to fight, so this was Stenberg’s first chance to see it.
“It was my first time seeing fights, so that was cool,” Stenberg said. “It’s special because in Sweden you can’t fight. It was special to see that from the bench.”
2. Cam Lund leaves the game with an upper-body injury
The biggest negative in the game is the injury to San Jose Sharks forward Cam Lund. Lund, who is coming off shoulder surgery, hadn’t played since February and looked good to start. Unfortunately, midway through the opening period, Lund took a high hit from Kings player Jared Woolley.
He took one more shift following the hit, but did not return for the second period. McCarthy confirmed to reporters after the game that the Sharks winger is still being evaluated, but confirmed it was an upper-body injury.
SHD spoke to Lund exclusively this morning, and the winger’s excitement was evident.
“I think it’s very important. I came out here pretty early to do some rehab for my shoulder. So [I’m] feeling really good going into this tournament and building on that, going to the training camp after,” Lund said.
3. Wetsch and Gasseau could be a dynamic duo for the ‘Cuda this season
Carson Wetsch and Andre Gasseau lit up the score sheet for the Sharks on Saturday. The San Jose Sharks forwards each scored twice, while Wetsch had two assists and Gasseau one.
The duo was the first forwards over the boards for every penalty kill this evening. They each got multiple shorthanded chances and finished off one of them for a goal.
Wetsch, who was the captain of his WHL team, was given an ‘A’ on Saturday and proved why he’s been a good leader. He isn’t afraid to get into the dirty areas, and tonight that was rewarded with a four-point night.
“You definitely see this every year. You saw it last year also,” Wetsch said postgame. “I was definitely expecting a little bit of chippiness, but maybe not that much. It was definitely awesome to see everyone stepping in.”
Gasseau also talked about the chemistry with the Sharks winger.
“It’s been great. Met him at Dev Camp, and we just kind of found chemistry. It was a lot of fun,” Gasseau said.
4. Chernyshov, Misa show why they are NHLers
It is no secret that Michael Misa will be on the San Jose Sharks roster come Oct. 1. Although it wasn’t the most eye-popping game from the 2025 NHL Draft 2nd pick, he had a calmness about his game. He stepped up in the third period and was rewarded with two assists.
He’s had chemistry with Igor Chernyshov since their time in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit, and the two continued that tonight. They got Stenberg involved early, and that trio could be together in the NHL at some point in 26-27.
Stenberg’s second goal was a direct outcome of Chernyshov and Misa’s play. Misa will likely expect more from himself once the season starts, but he was solid tonight.
5. Fights, fights, and more fights. Sharks step up for their teammates
Tonight’s game featured five fights, none more popular than Alexander Karmanov’s. The 7-foot-1 d-man might not be the most refined player right now, but he knows how to step up for his teammates.
“Everybody’s excited. I’m excited. The whole bench stood up,” McCarthy said.
Quentin Musty showed he could step up for his teammates as he fought Woolley in the third period, likely in response to the hit on Lund.
“We’re working on the defensive reliability. As far as the fighting stuff, I don’t know if we really want him doing that too often,” McCarthy said about Musty. “It does show that he’s committed to standing out, trying to do something to get attention. Good on him for doing it.”
The players recognized the team’s effort to stand up for each other.
“Everyone loves each other in that room, and I think by tonight you could tell that we’re going to stick up for each other no matter what,” Wetsch said. “That just shows how tight-knit we are.”
The San Jose Sharks will play one more game at the Rookie Faceoff. On Sunday, they will face the Utah Mammoth at 5 p.m.