San Jose Sharks secure three top‑first‑round picks in 2026 NHL Draft

After missing the playoffs, the San Jose Sharks moved up in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery and selected three first‑round players. General manager Mike Grier used a trade that sent winger William Eklund to acquire the ninth overall pick and packaged additional selections to rise from the 27th to the 21st spot, securing Ivar Stenberg (2nd overall), Keaton Verhoeff (9th overall) and Ryan Lin (21st overall).

Analysts praised the haul, with ESPN’s Rachel Kryshak calling it “one of the best Round 1 hauls in NHL Draft history” and awarding an A++ grade, while The Athletic’s Corey Pronman gave an A‑grade. The picks address key needs, adding elite defensive prospects alongside existing young talent such as Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa, and give the Sharks a strong farm system and ample cap space for future roster building.