Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks traded William Eklund along with two prospects to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Rumors swirled about using this ninth overall pick in a trade package, but the Sharks seemed to have missed the window and may be using the selection.
According to John Buccigross with ESPN, the Sharks were looking to exchange the ninth and the 27th overall pick (acquired along with Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres) along with a prospect for Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres. However, the Chicago Blackhawks outbid the Sharks and General Manager, Mike Grier, leaving the team to hold onto both picks for the time being.
This year’s draft is abundant with defensive talent, an area the Sharks are desperately trying to improve, allowing for a solid defensemen to be selected. These moves seem to show commitment to selecting Swedish superstar forward Ivar Stenberg second overall with the implication the ninth and 27th picks will be used on defensemen.
While there is a plethora of defensemen to look at, one stands out as an option for the ninth selection: Daxon Rudolph. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches at only 18-years-old, Rudolph is a force to be reckoned with on the blue line. This season in his 68 games played in the WHL wearing the “A” for the Prince Albert Raiders, Rudolph recorded a whopping 78 points (28G, 50A) and managed to maintain a +32, which earned him a spot on the WHL (East) First All-Star Team. So not only does he move the puck extremely well, he also holds down the blue line.
Rudolph’s performance under pressure is arguably even more impressive, recording 27 points (9G, 18A) and a +9 in 19 playoff games. His 18 playoff assists, most in the WHL, shows off his decisive passing, while his +9 is a sparkling reflection of his abilities to shut down offensive attacks. The Sharks are searching for a smart defenseman who can handle the weight that comes with fixing a major issue in the organization.
University of North Dakota’s Keaton Verhoeff is certainly another option, but Rudolph is a more complete player with a higher ceiling. Verhoeff severely lacks skating ability and struggles with quick decision making. Although Verhoeff has said he thinks his skating is an underrated skill of his, his instability on skates is a major concern, especially at his imposing height of 6 foot 4 inches.
There are a lot of fantastic options for defense in this year’s draft, and the Sharks are almost certainly picking two at nine and 27. Bolstering defense is a major piece missing from the puzzle in San Jose, and this is the draft class to find it. For ninth, though, Daxon Rudolph would be the best possible outcome.
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