The 32-in-32 Series is an annual event here at DobberProspects and has been condensed from two articles to one. The article will bring you: The highlighted team’s draft; insights into its off-season moves; looking at prospect risers, fallers and likely prospects to play NHL games; and of course, the writers’ top-20 prospects. Articles may be brought back when an important team update occurs, so check back because we plan to fill your hockey withdrawal needs all off-season!

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Read past 32 series stories here: https://dobberprospects.com/category/feature/32-in-32-series/

Make sure to check out the San Jose Sharks team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/san-jose-sharks/

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The Sharks have been on the upward trend for a few seasons, but this was the first season fans really felt the ascension of Macklin Celebrini and his rise to stardom. Especially after he was a premier player for Canada at the Winter Olympics. 

With the addition of a few bigger bodied defencemen who should help with the defensive side of the game they have struggled with several blue chip young studs, this team looks primed for a step forward. What form that takes is yet to be seen. It certainly does not hurt that Celebrini committed for five seasons after 2026-27 to give the team a piece of mind and motivation to build a contender sooner than later. 

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2026 NHL Draft Recap

Round 1, Pick 2; Ivar Stenberg, LW

The Sharks struck gold again in the draft lottery to add another jewel to their embarrassment of riches, and they did just that adding Ivar Stenberg to an already talented young forward core. Some labeled Stenberg as the best prospect in the draft, while even more said he was to be the most complete player who can impact the game in many areas.

Pairing Stenberg, who could be a borderline franchise player, with Macklin Celebrini, who will both feature in the powerplay together very soon. The Sharks continue to round out what should be considered the best pool of prospects in the league. 

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Round 1, Pick 9; Keaton Verhoeff, RHD

This one felt like an incredible stroke of luck, but that may sell Mike Grier short. Having Verhoeff fall to them at nine, the pick they traded for earlier in the week, gave them that premier defenceman they were in need of adding. And you can’t do much better than a guy who was in the conversation to land at pick number two. 

Verhoeff does not project as an all-world offensive stud, but his well rounded game provides the Sharks with a projectable asset, and one that could figure into their top two defensive pairing as soon as two years from now. 

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Round 1, Pick 21; Ryan Lin, RHD

Lin was another name that seemingly fell to the Sharks at 21. He fits the archetype of an undersized player who could take some time to find his way into the lineup, but one with tremendous vision and the ability to create in transition. Similar to Luca Cagnoni already in the system, Lin offers the offensive punch that could make concerns about his size irrelevant. 

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Round 4, Pick 127; Brady Knowling, G

Netminders seem to run in cycles with what teams value in them. Knowling is an example of a goalie who is pursued for his sheer size and ability to cover large parts of the net by being in the right place. He is also a very technically sound goalie who does not often find himself out of position. Of course, with Askarov ready to make a bigger impact, Knowling will have plenty of time to develop in the Sharks organization. 

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Round 6, Pick 174; Jake Gustafson, C

Gustafson is a big bodied right shooting centre who excels on battles along the wall and interior part of the ice. He has a great sense of how and when to use his stick to defend and utilizes his large frame to create space and buy time for his defenders and wingers to support. 

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Round 7, PIck 201; Alexander Karmanov, LHD

Maybe another Zdeno Chara? Karmanov is a massive 7-1 human, with an incredibly long defensive stick. He is a physical defenceman who has a surprisingly powerful first step for a young defenceman his size. 

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Off-Season Moves

Incoming (Years Remaining, AAV)

Mason Marchment – 5 Years, 6.75 Million

Darnell Nurse – 4 Years, 9.25 Million

Jacob Trouba – 4 Years, 8.25 Million

Michael Kesselring – 3 Years, 4.5 Million

Eric Comrie – 2 Years, 1.15 Million

Alex Barre-Boulet – 2 Years, 850k

Andre Gasseau – 2 Years, 1.05 Million

Libor Hajek – 1 Year, 850k

Outgoing 

William Eklund

Kasper Halttunen

Phillip Kurashev

Jeff Skinner

Ryan Reaves

Mario Ferraro

Shakir Mukhamadullin

Vincent Desharnais

Nick Leddy

John Klingberg

Re-Signed (Years Remaining, AAV)

Macklin Celebrini (Extension) – 5 Years, 18.8 Million

Colin Graf – 3 Years, 4.25 Million

Zach Ostapchuk – 4 Years, 2.35 Million

Nolan Allen – 2 Years, 1.75 Million

Ethan Cardwell – 1 Year, 850k

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In The System

Risers

Igor Chernyshov, LW

Chernyshov made a splash in his limited stint with the Sharks last season, providing fantasy managers with coverage across many categories. His 19 points in 28 games was just the tip of the iceberg. 

In those 28 appearances, Chernyshov logged 46 shots on goal (1.64 per game), to go with 17 hits and 13 blocks. His overpowering demeanor gave the Sharks an element they did not really have in a power forward. Paired with Celebrini, and now Stenberg, the Sharks have another element, and Chernyshov should have the fast track to the top-six this fall given his style and the unique nature of his play. 

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LHD

Sahlin-Wallenius had a quiet season in the SHL last year on loan to the Vaxjo Lakers HC. He is not an eye popping talent, but his ability to take on tough minutes and thrive in that role does not get lost for a 19-year-old. He signed his entry-level contract with the Sharks and will make the jump to North America for the San Jose Barracuda. He is likely to spend the season in the AHL, but will likely be an option the following season once he gets acclimated to the North American game. He is someone to keep an eye on in deeper dynasty formats. 

Erik Pohlkamp, RHD

Pohlkamp was excellent in his junior season in the NCAA. He did not blow his previous season’s numbers out of the water, but he certainly took a step in the right direction. He showcased a complete defensive game for his age and showed a bit of promising offensive upside by being near point-per-game in consecutive seasons. He signed his ELC at the end of last season, will figure into the AHL plans and could be a call up option and provide real multicategory value down the line. 

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Fallers

Luca Cagnoni, LHD

Considered by some to be the most promising offensive defensive prospects in the game. His raw numbers took a moderate step back this past season, but still possesses real upside as a powerplay quarterback, he could battle for a roster spot out of camp. But he has real competition for that spot as well, making this fall’s battle more crucial. 

Filip Bystedt, C

Bystedt has seemingly been in the system for a while and has been a slow burn in his development. He has all the tools teams salivate over. Size, hands, speed and edge work, Bystedt has all the tools to make an impact. But he will have to make an impact not just in camp, but should he start in the AHL, blow the hinges off the door to get off and running on a crossroads season in his development. 

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Expected to Start in the NHL

Ivar Stenberg

MIchael Misa

Igor Chernyshov

Likely to See NHL Action

Quentin Musty

Filip Bystedt

Luca Cagnoni

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Top 20 Prospects

This section is intended to paint a picture of the San Jose Sharks prospects whose current trajectory projects them to make the most positive fantasy impact at the time that they reach the NHL. Arrival date and NHL certainty have been taken into consideration; however, potential upside is the most important factor in determining this list.

1. Ivar Stenberg
2. Michael Misa
3. Igor Chernyshov
4. Keaton Verhoeff
5. Quentin Musty
6. Luca Cagnoni
7. Leo Sahlin Wallenius
8. Mattias Havelid
9. Ryan Lin
10. Filip Bystedt
11. Joshua Ravensbergen
12. Ethan Cardwell
13. Cameron Lund
14. Michael Fisher
15. Brady Knowling
16. Cole McKinney
17. Carson Wetsch
18. Teddy Mutryn
19. Joey Muldowney
20. Andre Gasseau

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Make sure to check out the San Jose Sharks team page here: https://dobberprospects.com/team/san-jose-sharks/

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Final Thoughts

The Sharks remain a dark horse not just to make the playoffs, but to contend for the division crown in a weak Pacific Division. With the rise of Celebrini and the addition of Stenberg, growing pains could still be coming for this team. But they showed an ability last year to stay in the playoff race, 

This team’s window may not be open this season, but it sure is coming, and will be marvellous to witness if they can concoct the right personnel around their cornerstones. 

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Sean Crocker