Sharks look toward future as big winners in 2026 NHL Draft
NBC Sports Bay Area & California • • sports
Key Points:
- The San Jose Sharks selected winger Ivar Stenberg (No. 2), defenseman Keaton Verhoeff (No. 9), and defenseman Ryan Lin (No. 21) in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft, focusing on high-impact prospects rather than immediate roster needs.
- Stenberg is praised as a complete and dynamic offensive player, considered NHL-ready and the Sharks' top-ranked prospect, which may explain the trade of popular winger William Eklund.
- Verhoeff, a 6-foot-4 right-handed defenseman from the University of North Dakota, is viewed as a potential first-pair defensive anchor with strong defensive skills, expected to return to college for further development.
- Ryan Lin, acquired by trading up to the No. 21 pick, is recognized as an excellent all-around but smaller defenseman projected to make a significant two-way impact without being a primary power play option.
- Sharks GM Mike Grier emphasized the team's focus on "hard competitive skill" over size, countering previous perceptions, and highlighted that competitiveness is crucial for success, especially for smaller players.
