2025-26 Puck Drop Preview: San Jose Sharks

Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2025-26 season! As the regular season approaches, Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2025-26 San Jose Sharks.

2025-26 San Jose Sharks

2024-25 Season Recap

The San Jose Sharks finished the 2024-25 season with a 20-50-12 record, good for 52 points and at the bottom of the Western Conference as well as the leauge. While the results on the ice were still far from playoff contention, the season was defined less by wins and losses and more by progress in the rebuild.

The Offence

The highlight of the year was the arrival of Macklin Celebrini, the first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Thrust into the lineup immediately, Celebrini gave Sharks fans hope for the future. While he endured typical rookie growing pains, he flashed elite play-driving ability and quickly emerged as the team’s centrepiece.

Rookies like Will Smith gained NHL experience and added depth to the forward group. Meanwhile, Michael Misa, selected in the 2025 NHL Draft, is expected to debut this season and will be one of the most intriguing young players to watch as he transitions to the professional game.

William Eklund also continued his upward trajectory, finishing with career-high production and establishing himself as a fixture in the top six. Veteran Tyler Toffoli, signed to help guide the younger forwards.

The Defence

Scoring depth remained an issue. The Sharks finished in the bottom third of the league in goals per game, and their power play operated below 18 percent, ranking among the worst in the NHL. Defensively, the club allowed too many high-danger chances, reflected in their league-worst goals against per game.

On the back end, Mario Ferraro once again logged heavy minutes and played with his trademark energy, while Shakir Mukhamadullin made strides in his first full NHL campaign. However, the unit struggled overall, lacking both shutdown consistency and offensive punch.

Goaltending

Goaltending was a mixed bag for the Sharks in 2024-25. Mackenzie Blackwood started the season in net but was traded mid-season; his numbers were middling before the move. Vitek Vaneček stepped in for several games but was hampered by injuries that limited his effectiveness. Alexandar Georgiev, acquired in December, took on a significant workload in the second half of the year, showing flashes of solid performance but also allowing too many high danger goals as the defensive lapses behind him continued. Yaroslav Askarov, still developing, had moments of promise as a future starter, though consistency remained elusive. Georgi Romanov saw brief action, helping out in relief but not yet established. Overall, none of the netminders were able to reliably steal games on their own, which contributed to the Sharks’ difficulties in closing out tight contests.

Overall, while the 2024-25 Sharks remained near the bottom of the standings, the organization began to see the outline of its next core take shape.

2024-25 Off-Season

The Sharks used the 2025 off-season to aggressively reshape the roster, adding veterans, acquiring new pieces, and clearing space where needed. GM Mike Grier’s goal was to support the young core (Celebrini, Eklund, Misa) with experience and depth, especially on defence and in net.

Additions

• Alexandar Nedeljkovic (G): Acquired via trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins (for a 2028 third-round pick) to provide veteran depth in goal behind Yaroslav Askarov.

• John Klingberg (D): Signed a one-year deal on July 1. He gives the Sharks right-shot puck-moving ability and power-play potential.

• Dmitry Orlov (D): Signed a two-year contract on July 3. He adds veteran leadership, calm defensive play, and playoff experience.

• Jeff Skinner (LW): Signed as a free agent (one-year contract) on July 11. He brings scoring history and veteran presence to a forward group with many young players.

• Nick Leddy (D): Claimed off waivers July 2. He provides experience, skating, and defensive depth.

• Philipp Kurashev (F): Signed a one-year deal on July 1. H adds forward flexibility and secondary scoring.

• Adam Gaudette (F): Signed a two-year contract July 1. He is expected to bring bottom-six scoring and energy.

• Ryan Reaves (RW): Acquired via trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Henry Thrun on July 10. He adds grit and veteran toughness.

Departures / Subtractions

• Marc-Edouard Vlasic (D): Waived and bought out on June 26 after 19 seasons with the Sharks.

• Alexandar Georgiev (G): Became an unrestricted free agent as of July 1; he is no longer part of the Sharks’ goaltending depth.

• Other moving parts: Players such as Thomas Bordeleau (traded for Shane Bowers), Daniil Gushchin (traded for Oskar Olausson), Henry Thrun (traded), and several two-way/free agent departures have reshuffled the bottom of the forward and defensive depth charts.

Projected Lineup for 2025-26

Forwards

Eklund – Celebrini – Toffoli

Skinner – Misa – Smith

Kurashev – Wennberg – Graf

Goodrow – Dellandrea – Gaudette

Top Six Analysis

The Sharks’ top line will be fascinating to watch. William Eklund brings playmaking ability, Macklin Celebrini anchors the middle with star potential, and Tyler Toffoli offers finishing and veteran poise.

The second line provides a blend of youth and experience. Jeff Skinner still has the shot to be a consistent 20-25 goal scorer. He’ll flank Michael Misa, who is making the leap from junior, and Will Smith, who enters his second NHL season after flashes of brilliance as a rookie. This trio could become a long-term cornerstone if their development stays on track.

Bottom Six Analysis

The third line of Philipp Kurashev–Alexander Wennberg–Collin Graf gives the Sharks versatility. Wennberg provides defensive responsibility and faceoff skill, Kurashev adds speed and playmaking, and Graf is an intriguing undrafted prospect who has fought his way into the NHL conversation.

The fourth line offers energy and grit. Barclay Goodrow returns as a trusted veteran, Ty Dellandrea is a young two-way forward who can chip in offence, and Adam Gaudette gives the line pace and forechecking pressure.

Defence

Orlov – Klingberg

Mukhamadullin – Leddy

Ferraro – Liljegren

Top Four

The new-look top pairing of Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg brings balance. Orlov handles the defensive-zone responsibilities while Klingberg pushes the pace and quarterbacks the power play.

The second pair showcases the franchise’s future on defence: Shakir Mukhamadullin with Nick Leddy. Mukhamadullin is expected to take on more minutes this season, and Leddy’s skating and veteran presence should help his transition.

Bottom Pair

The third pair features Mario Ferraro, still the emotional heartbeat of the team, alongside Timothy Liljegren, who has struggled for consistency but offers mobility and upside. This unit should see tough defensive assignments and heavy penalty-kill usage.

Goalies

Yaroslav Askarov

Alex Nedeljkovic

The crease belongs to Yaroslav Askarov. Now entering his second NHL season, he has the chance to establish himself as the Sharks’ long-term franchise goaltender. His athleticism, reflexes, and pedigree make him the organization’s most important player outside of Celebrini.

Backing him up is Alex Nedeljkovic, who provides veteran insurance. While not a long-term solution, Nedeljkovic is capable of stringing together quality starts when called upon.

Players to Watch

Macklin Celebrini

The 2024 first-overall pick is the face of the franchise. Celebrini’s development is the key to San Jose’s rebuild. He will be asked to do a lot in his sophomore season, but his maturity and skillset suggest he can handle the load.

William Eklund

Eklund made a huge leap in 2024-25. His ability to consistently produce offence makes him Celebrini’s most important running mate. The duo’s chemistry will be critical to the Sharks’ future.

Yaroslav Askarov

Goaltending stability has eluded San Jose for years. If Askarov takes the next step and proves he can be a legitimate No. 1 goalie, it could accelerate the team’s climb out of the rebuild.

Prediction for the 2025-26 San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are still rebuilding, but there’s finally a sense of direction. With Celebrini, Eklund, Smith, and Misa forming the forward core, and Mukhamadullin anchoring the next wave on defence, San Jose has the foundation of a competitive team.

The additions of Orlov, Klingberg, and Leddy should reduce the defensive chaos of recent years, while veterans like Skinner and Goodrow give the forward group balance. The biggest question remains whether Askarov can handle a full starter’s workload.

Playoffs remain unlikely in 2025-26, but progress will be measured by competitiveness and the development of young stars. If the Sharks can avoid finishing in the bottom five and instead trend closer to the middle of the pack, it will be considered a successful season.