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The NHL’s 2026 draft is nearly here, and each team at the top of the draft are going to add a very talented young player. But as part of a series of articles for The Sporting News, we’re breaking down which players make the most sense for each team to pick at their point in the draft.
The San Jose Sharks are an interesting team to watch heading into the draft. On the one hand, the best player available is one who plays a position they have a premium in, and their true need is an offensive No. 1 defenseman.
Adding a player like Ivar Stenberg would add to the riches up front for the Sharks, whose young core already consists of Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Will Smith, William Eklund, Igor Chernyshov and prospects like Quentin Musty, Filip Bystedy and Kasper Halttunen.
On the backend, Sam Dickinson highlights their young core, which also includes NHL hopefuls like Eric Pohlkamp and Hoaxi Wang. A true No. 1, play-driving offensive defenseman could be what the Sharks are missing as they push to be a playoff team.
From least to most likely to be taken by San Jose to least likely, here are our top-four picks for Sharks GM Mike Grier at No. 2 overall:
4. Keaton Verhoeff, D, North Dakota (NCAA)
At 6-foot-4, Verhoeff has the size that NHL teams dream of in a defenseman, and although his first year at North Dakota saw him produce only 20 points in 36 games this season, Verhoeff did have four points in five games at this year’s World Junior Championship.
He’s going to be a long shot to be picked in the top four of this year’s draft, but Verhoeff could be San Jose’s choice if they trade down to fifth or sixth. Verhoeff doesn’t have the aura of a higher-ranked player like Reid or Carels, but he still has enough promise for a team to take a chance on. And that team could turn out to be the Sharks.
MORE: 2026 NHL Draft: Top Five Defensemen Include Smits, Reid And Verhoeff
3. Carson Carels, D, Prince George (WHL)
Carels took a huge step forward this season, putting up 20 goals and 73 points in 58 games. Although Carels has committed to the NCAA’s University of North Dakota for the 2026-27 season, his all-around talents make him an attractive option for the Sharks to consider.
Carels also had nine assists and 10 points in 10 playoff games for Prince George this season. His stock is on the rise, but it would be a shock if Carels wound up being San Jose’s pick at second overall. Carels is going to be a solid D-man at the NHL level, but Reid and Stenberg are probably going to be picked at No. 2 and No. 3 overall. So unless Grier trades down in the draft, the Sharks are likely to choose someone other than Carels.
MORE: 2026 NHL Draft WHL Prospect Profile: Carson Carels
2. Ivar Stenberg, LW, Frolunda (Swe.)
With McKenna off the board, the most talented, NHL-ready forward is Swedish star winger Stenberg. The 18-year-old posted 33 points in 43 games this season, and scouts and prospect experts believe he can come in next season and contribute meaningfully at an above-average NHL level.
Stenberg may not have the ceiling of McKenna, but his all-around impact would fit in very well in San Jose. The Sharks already have a terrific top line with Celebrini and Will Smith, and Stenberg would give them another all-world foundational player up front. If the Sharks don’t draft Reid, they’ll almost-certainly choose Stenberg. He’s second only to McKenna, so San Jose will probably take either Stenberg or Reid.
MORE: 3 best 2026 NHL draft options for the Maple Leafs at first overall
1. Chase Reid, D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
We know teams usually state they pick the most-talented player rather than choose by positional need – but in the case of Reid, both those things could be true. The Sharks do need more elite depth on ‘D’, and Reid – the best blueliner available – would help them immensely. Reid had 48 points in 45 games this year, and he also was strong at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Reid may not be the next Matthew Schaefer, but high-end blueliners are so hard to come by, you can’t blame Grier for going with Reid over a forward with more flash-and-dash to their game. Reid would fill a positional need, and he has an elite ceiling. So if the Toronto Maple Leafs do what’s expected and select NCAA star winger Gavin McKenna with the first-overall pick, it makes sense for the Sharks to pick Reid with the second-overall selection.
Adding a player whose game has been compared to Norris Trophy winners like Zach Werenski and Adam Fox is nothing to scoff at.
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