Despite just one Stanley Cup Final appearance to indicate for it, the San Jose Sharks were one of the crucial dominant teams of the primary 20 years of the twenty first century. The franchise only missed the playoffs thrice between 1999-2000 and 2018-19, won the division six times, and regularly made deep postseason runs in that span. A few the catalysts of that dominance — most notably Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau — will go down in history as a few of one of the best NHL players with out a Stanley Cup.
But after one other disappointing Western Conference Final loss seven years ago, things have unravelled for one of the crucial successful regular season teams of the century. The Sharks entered their rebuild right around the identical time because the pandemic hit, and the club hasn’t been back to the dance since. San Jose has gone six full campaigns without playoff hockey, the longest such streak in franchise history.
All-time low has hit especially hard during the last three seasons, with this iteration of the roster winning just 61 total games between 2022-25. For reference, the record-setting 2022-23 Boston Bruins won 65 games in only 82 tries.
Following back-to-back last place finishes, there’s at the very least slightly little bit of optimism surrounding the team ahead of the brand new season. With multiple years to replenish the prospect cupboard, the Sharks boast a few terrific young players who’re able to take the following step in 2025-26. All of us find out about Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall selection in 2024 who ended up with 63 points in his first 70 NHL games.
But, besides Celebrini, there are a few dynamic young Sharks players who’re able to prove they belong — and help San Jose get back to relevance. Listed here are three such talents just weeks out from training camp in September.
It could possibly be the Will Smith show in 2025-26
Together with Celebrini, the long run of the Sharks goes to run through Will Smith. Chosen No. 4 overall by San Jose within the 2023 NHL Draft, he was also a rookie last season. The 20-year-old put together a solid campaign, managing 18 goals and 45 points over 74 games.
The Lexington, Massachusetts native spent quite a little bit of time within the top-six in 2024-25, and only earned more trust from his head coach because the season went on. While Each day Faceoff currently has him centering the second line, alongside offseason acquisitions Adam Gaudette and Jeff Skinner, Smith could thoroughly start the season paired with Celebrini on the highest line. That might significantly increase his ceiling for 12 months 2 within the National.
Smith was terrific for the USA on the IIHF World Championships, adding seven assists in 10 games because the USA won gold. He’s expected to tackle an excellent larger role in 2025-26, and in contrast to at first of last 12 months, he should begin the campaign on the highest powerplay unit alongside Celebrini.
A speedy player with proven skill — which he demonstrated during a 71-point showing with the Boston College Eagles in 2023-24 — Smith ought to be even simpler in his sophomore season because the Sharks look to take a step forward and are available out of the NHL’s basement.
William Eklund should take one other step with Sharks
Although electric rookies Celebrini and Smith commanded a lot of the highlight in California last season, one other Will quietly put together a superb season on an awful Sharks team in 2024-25. In his second full National Hockey League campaign, William Eklund increased his point totals from 45 to 58 — in three less games.
Originally chosen seventh overall within the 2021 NHL Draft, Eklund had a superb showing with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda in 2022-23, amassing 41 points in 54 games. After his 16-goal, 45-point showing in the large leagues in 2023-24, the Swedish forward emerged into one of the crucial reliable players on the team last season.
Eklund led the Sharks in each assists (41) and shorthanded points (three), while also rating second behind just Celebrini in points (58), powerplay points (16) and even-strength points (39). He should begin the 2025-26 season attached on the hip with Celebrini on the highest line, and if Smith finally ends up on that unit as well, all three players could possibly be primed for large years.
The 22-year-old just seems to recover and higher every game, and he, like Smith, might be locked and loaded on the highest man advantage unit on opening night. Together with Celebrini and Smith, Eklund is a future franchise cornerstone who could realistically approach the point-per-game threshold if he stays healthy.
Yaroslav Askarov is prepared for his moment
While the Sharks have a few other young players who could breakout, including Collin Graf up front, and Shakir Mukhamadullin and Jack Thompson on the blue line, one among their more exciting storylines in 2025-26 might be the event of goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
Highly touted as one among the highest prospects at his position within the NHL, the 23-year-old Russian could possibly be primed for an enormous season with the Sharks. While he had to separate time with Alex Georgiev, Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek in 2024-25, all three of those netminders have moved on — and it’s Askarov’s turn to be the starter.
Chosen eleventh overall by the Nashville Predators within the 2020 NHL Draft, Askarov requested a trade after starter Juuse Saros signed a long-term deal. He was dealt to California last August, and appeared in 12 games along with his recent team in 2024-25, going 4-6-2 together with a 3.01 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
Although those numbers leave something to be desired, he was significantly better within the AHL, and lights out for the Barracuda within the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. He went 3-2, recording a league-leading 1.68 GAA and .935 save percentage. Although Alex Nedeljkovic will battle for starts, it’s Askarov’s net to lose — and he could possibly be primed for an enormous step forward. Even though it’s hard to predict the trajectory of young goalies, there is a reason why the young Russian has been considered one among the highest prospects at his position. There’s also a reason the Sharks signed him to a two-year, $4 million extension after the trade.
If Smith and Eklund can take the following step, and Askarov rounds into form in the large leagues, there is a superb likelihood the Sharks won’t be within the basement of the National Hockey League next April. Although San Jose might be still just a few years away from exiting the rebuild and legitimately contending for a playoff berth, these three children could possibly be difference-makers in 2025-26.