It has been a long time since the San Jose Sharks have had this high a ceiling as a team.

So how high can they go during the 2025-26 NHL season?

It’s also the Sharks that we’re talking about — owners of the NHL’s worst record in back-to-back seasons — so we also have to discuss how low they can go.

What are some realistic best- and worst-case scenarios for the Sharks next season? We’re going to avoid obvious worst-case situations like injuries.

Let’s start with what could go right.

Youngsters Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Yaroslav Askarov all have high-end talent, and could take a step toward stardom this fall.

A high-end projection for Celebrini might be a sophomore leap a la Steven Stamkos in 2009-10: If so, the 2024 No. 1 pick could approach 100 points.

Smith and Eklund could hit 60-70 points.

Askarov has the ability to put together a Calder Trophy-worthy campaign a la Dustin Wolf last year.

New blood, Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson, could compete with Askarov for the Calder Trophy.

These aren’t the only young guns who might pop off for the Sharks next year.

What do leaps for Shakir Mukhamadullin and Collin Graf look like?

Mukhamadullin has the talent to solidify himself as a go-to top-four defenseman, while Graf can be a middle-six winger.

As for the veterans, Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg and Adam Gaudette had strong campaigns last year and will have to repeat that.

Meanwhile, 30-somethings Jeff Skinner, Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg and Nick Leddy will need to find the fountain of youth.

Can Skinner return to 30-goal form? Can Orlov get closer to his Washington Capitals’ self? Klingberg and Leddy were top-four blueliners not so long ago.

Winger Philipp Kurashev is a younger reclamation project, but he also has middle-six skill.

If most or all these puzzle pieces come together — chiefly, Celebrini putting on his superstar shoes, Askarov carrying the load between the pipes, special teams being special, and San Jose figuring out a top-four defense that’s not over their heads — the Sharks could challenge for a wild card berth.

The Sharks and the Stanley Cup playoffs have not been on talking terms for years … and honestly, it’s still not a serious conversation.

Too many things need to go right for them to sniff the postseason.

But it’s the first time in a while that the Sharks might have a playoff ceiling, far-fetched as it still is.

The reality is, though, we still have to discuss worst-case scenarios for the Sharks.

Last place in the NHL is still a very realistic possibility.

Celebrini could feel the weight of all the responsibility on his shoulders. Askarov might flop behind an over-the-hill defense. The other youngsters could plateau.

Also, most of the Sharks’ veterans did not have their best seasons last year.

There’s still too much “if” and “iffy” with the Sharks.

San Jose is more likely to challenge for the No. 1 pick again than a postseason spot.

The good news is that could mean adding another potential star like winger Gavin McKenna or defenseman Keaton Verhoeff in the 2026 NHL Draft.

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