The San Jose Sharks continue to build something special on the ice in California's Silicon Valley. They're coming off the first winning season since 2019 and have established themselves as one of the younger, more promising teams in the NHL despite failing to make the postseason for a seventh consecutive year.
Macklin Celebrini has superstar written all over him and is projected to be an All-Star in the upcoming season. He signed a five-year, $94 million contract extension this offseason to see the organization's turnaround come to fruition. And he will do so as the youngest captain in Sharks history.
The Sharks have built their core through the draft over the years bringing in Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov. They continued
that blueprint in the 2026 NHL Draft with three first round picks selecting Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick, Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and Ryan Lin at No. 21.
One of the areas of focus was their defense and the team's physicality. They added Kiefer Sherwood during the 2025-26 season and his impact was felt immediately. They kept on adding guys that fit that mold during the offseason, a necessary move especially after rugged Ryan Reaves announced he's retiring.
They added defenseman Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba and Michael Kesselring, but traded forward William Eklund. Collin Graf was another big re-signing over the offseason, inking a three-year extension in San Jose.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky was signed to a multi-year contract extension with the Sharks, after last season's 34-point improvement. Sharks GM Mike Grier puts a formidable team together. The Sharks are ready to get rolling as the team begins play on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Here's a breakdown of the San Jose Sharks' offseason moves and what to expect from them heading into the 2026-27 NHL season:
San Jose Sharks offseason review
- Record last season: 39-35-8, 86 points (11th in Western Conference)
- Playoff finish: Did not qualify
- Coach: Ryan Warsofsky (3rd season)
- 2026-27 title odds: +3500 (per BetMGM)
- Projected record: 93 points, third in Pacific Division
- Offseason grade: B
Key roster additions during offseason
- LW Ivar Stenberg (No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft)
- LW Mason Marchment (free agent)
- LW Tye Felhaber (free agent)
- LW Alex Barré-Boulet (free agent)
- RW Brett Leason (free agent)
- D Keaton Verhoeff (No. 9 pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft)
- D Darnell Nurse (trade with Edmonton Oilers)
- D Jacob Trouba (free agent)
- D Michael Kesselring (trade with Buffalo Sabres)
- D Phillip Sinn (EHC München, Germany)
- C Andre Gasseau (trade with Boston Bruins)
- G Eric Comrie (free agent)
- G Ilya Samsonov (Kontinental Hockey League)
- G Kyle Keyser (American Hockey League, ECHL)
Key roster losses during offseason
- LW William Eklund (Ottawa Senators)
- LW Pavol Regenda (Swedish Hockey League)
- LW Jeff Skinner (Switzerland)
- LW Yegor Afanasyev (Kontinental Hockey League)
- RW Ryan Reaves (retired)
- RW Colin White (New Jersey Devils)
- RW Kasper Halttunen (Ottawa Senators)
- D Mario Ferraro (Winnipeg Jets)
- D John Klingberg (retired)
- D Shakir Mukhamadullin (Edmonton Oilers)
- D Vincent Desharnais (Washington Capitals)
- G, Jakub Škarek (Deutsche Eishockey Liga)
- G, Gabriel Carriere (American Hockey League)
- G, Laurent Brossoit (Anaheim Ducks)
Biggest question entering season
Is the Sharks' young core ready to take the next step and make a postseason appearance?
- Sharks general manager Mike Grier has slowly, but surely rebuilt this roster into a team that looks like it can be competitive and make a postseason run. Hired in 2022, Grier has methodically drafted and made complementary moves, whether through free agency or trades, to help improve the roster. Entering the 2026-27 season, San Jose has a roster made up of young stars led by Macklin Celebrini. One of the youngest teams in the league, the Sharks' average age is 24. Veterans Darnell Nurse, Michael Kesselring and Jacob Trouba are ready to help support and guide the young group. The Sharks were in the mix for the wild card spot last season, now they are on everyone's radar to make the leap as a playoff contender.
Projected lines and defensive partners
#SJSharks practice lines, trending toward Dickinson sitting on opening night:
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 30, 2026
Marchment-Celebrini-Smith
Chernyshov-Misa-Toffoli
Stenberg-Wennberg-Graf
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Sherwood
Nurse-Kesselring
Allan-Trouba
Orlov-Cagnoni
What to expect in 2026-27 season
The Sharks aren't a surprise team anymore. They have talent and it's known around the league. The Shark Tank will be rocking and it will feel like a playoff environment. This will fare well for the Sharks as they attempt to end a seven-year playoff drought. Macklin Celebrini will make his first NHL All-Star Game appearance and could even an MVP favorite if San Jose makes the playoffs.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Jose Sharks season preview, lineup and prediction
