San Jose Sharks Summary

The San Jose Sharks made headlines at the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting Alexander Karmanov, a seven-foot-one defenseman, marking him as the tallest player ever drafted in NHL history. Karmanov was chosen with the 201st overall pick, despite being projected to go undrafted by many rankings, and he aims to become the first Moldovan player in the NHL.

Furthermore, the Sharks have secured forward Zack Ostapchuk with a four-year contract extension, valued at an average annual salary of $2.35 million, indicating their commitment to developing young talent.

Ostapchuk had a productive season, registering career highs in goals and points, and was acquired by the Sharks from the Ottawa Senators in March 2025. In addition, the Sharks had a promising draft, selecting three players in the first round, including Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9, and Ryan Lin at No. 21.

This draft is seen as a turning point for the franchise, complementing their existing young core led by Macklin Celebrini. General Manager Mike Grier has emphasized the importance of addressing immediate needs while building for the future, with the aim of returning to playoff contention after a seven-year absence.