SAN JOSE: Coming into the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday night, the San Jose Sharks held the No. 2 and No. 9 pick in the first round. Looking to add to the already loaded young core featuring Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa, general manager Mike Grier got to work.
At number 2, the Sharks selected Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg. Stenberg is a 5 foot 11 forward who put on a show in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for Frolunda. Stenberg had 11 goals and 22 assists. Many NHL scouts have said that he is an incredibly gifted offensive creator and will pair perfectly on the first line with Sharks superstar center Macklin Celebrini. Fans shouldn’t be shocked when Stenberg and Celebrini form one of the NHL’s best young duos very soon.
At pick number 9, the San Jose Sharks selected defenseman Keaton Verhoeff. Verhoeff is a 6 foot 4 defenseman who tallied 20 points in 36 games for North Dakota State University this past season. Coming into the draft, many scouts believed he was the top defenseman in the draft, and I am sure the Sharks were thrilled when he fell to them at nine.
After selecting Verhoeff, it seemed the Sharks’ night was over until they struck a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers to trade back into the first round for their third selection of the night. The Sharks sent No. 27, 62, and 120 picks to the Flyers for the No. 21.
With pick No. 21, the Sharks selected defenseman Ryan Lin. The 5 foot 11 Canadian defenseman put up 14 goals and 57 points in 53 games for the Vancouver Giants in the Western Hockey League and is already committed to play at Denver University next season. Many scouts view Lin as a top 4 defenseman in the Sharks’ lineup joining Verhoeff.
The San Jose Sharks’ future appears a lot brighter after the draft this weekend. As GM Mike Grier said “The foundation has started to be laid,” he said. “And these guys are definitely pieces that we are really excited to add.”
Sports Talk by Zach Walsh 
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