The San Jose Sharks are heading into the 2025-26 NHL season with a blend of hope and trepidation. After several years of rebuilding, the team has accumulated a promising young core, but significant challenges remain.

Reasons for Optimism

• Elite Prospects: The Sharks' prospect pool is now considered among the best in the league. Recent high draft picks like Macklin Celebrini (2024, No. 1 overall), Will Smith (2023, No. 4 overall), Michael Misa (2025, No. 2 overall), and Sam Dickinson (2024, No. 11 overall) are expected to become key contributors.
• Yaroslav Askarov's Potential: Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, acquired in 2024, is seen as a potential breakout star. His performance in the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs suggests he's ready for a larger role in the NHL.
• Veteran Additions: General Manager Mike Grier has been active in adding veteran players to support the young core. Signings like Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Ryan Reaves, Adam Gaudette, and Philipp Kurashev aim to provide experience and leadership.
• Improved Defense: The Sharks' blue line has been a weakness, but the additions of Klingberg, Orlov, and Nick Leddy are expected to improve their defensive capabilities.
• Cap Space and Flexibility: The Sharks have significant cap space, allowing them to be aggressive in free agency and trades. This financial flexibility enables them to add talent and take on unwanted contracts for future assets.
• Development Focus: The organization is committed to development, providing opportunities for young players to grow and improve.
• Winning Culture: The Sharks recognize the importance of establishing a winning culture. They aim to instill winning habits and improve competitiveness to aid the development of their young players.

Reasons for Pessimism

• Youth and Inexperience: The Sharks are still a very young team, and their reliance on prospects carries risk. The development of these players is not guaranteed, and growing pains are expected.
• Goaltending Uncertainty: While Askarov has potential, relying on a young goalie can be risky. The Sharks may need to add a veteran goalie to support him.
• Tough Schedule: The 2025-26 schedule includes three separate five-game road trips and 16 back-to-back games, tied for the most in the league. This demanding schedule could be challenging for a young team.
• Top-Six Center: Despite the addition of Celebrini, the Sharks still need to find a top-six center to alleviate pressure and allow players like Smith to develop on the wing.
• Defensive Depth: While the blue line has improved, questions remain about the overall defensive depth and whether the new additions can significantly impact the team's performance.
• Rebuilding Timeline: Rebuilds take time, and even with promising prospects, the Sharks are likely still a few years away from genuine contention.
• Lack of High-End Talent: While the Sharks have accumulated a lot of good prospects, there is still a need for more elite talent to compete with the top teams in the league.

Offseason Moves

The Sharks have been active in the offseason, making several key moves:

• Drafting Michael Misa: Selecting Misa second overall in the 2025 NHL Draft was a significant addition.
• Signing Veteran Players: The Sharks added veterans such as Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, and Ryan Reaves to provide leadership and support.
• Re-signing William Eklund: Securing Eklund with a contract extension was a priority.
• Acquiring and Trading Players: The Sharks acquired players like Alex Nedeljkovic and Ryan Reaves while trading others to improve their roster and create cap space.

Looking Ahead

The San Jose Sharks' 2025-26 season will be a crucial one in their rebuilding process. The development of their young stars, the performance of Askarov in goal, and the impact of the veteran additions will determine whether the team can take a step forward. While playoffs may still be a long shot, Sharks fans can hope to see progress and a more competitive team on the ice. The Sharks open their season on October 9 against the Vegas Golden Knights.