With the 2026 NHL Draft rapidly approaching, San Jose Sharks fans are setting sights to the possibilities that come with drafting second, ninth, and 27th overall. With superstar forward Ivar Stenberg being the most likely, and best, option for the second overall pick, fans can rest easily knowing the other two first rounders will likely be used on defensemen.Â
This year’s draft class is flush with defensive talent, and while there are no Matthew Schaefer’s in this draft, the options are still strong and plenty. Assuming no further trades involving draft picks occur, the Sharks will almost certainly use these picks to help answer the biggest question in the organization: defense. Â
While drafting ninth is very reassuring in terms of gaining a fresh, talented, young defenseman, the draft is so full of blue line warriors that the options at 27 are still numerous. Daxon Rudolph is certainly an interesting option for ninth overall, but considering he is a very offensive minded defenseman, 27 can go in two different directions: Tommy Bleyl or Juho Piiparinen. Both would be great options, but bring completely different elements to the blue line.
 Bleyl, the 6 foot 18-year-old, is a player more similar to Rudolph. In his 63 games played for the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats, Bleyl put up an astounding 81 points (13G, 68A) and an impressive +58. This outstanding season earned him a spot on the QMJHL All-Rookie and All-Star Teams, QMJHL Defenseman of the Year (Emile Bouchard Trophy), and QMJHL Defensive Rookie of the Year (Raymond Lagace Trophy). Additionally, he ranked first in most assists in general, by a defenseman and by a rookie, and his 81 points were the most by a defenseman in the league.  All these things considered, Bleyl is exceptional at visualizing plays and passing lanes.
That being said, Piiparinen is also an excellent option for the opposite reasoning. The Finnish Piiparinen, standing at 6 foot 3 inches at only 17-years-old, is not the flashiest defenseman in this draft, but could be exactly what the Sharks need. While he didn’t rack up the awards Bleyl did, Piiparinen’s skills lay within holding down the blue line and moving the puck. In his 29 games played for Liiga’s Tappara, where he won a championship, Piiparinen recorded just three assists but maintained a +6, all while playing against men ten years his senior. However, his talent is getting the puck to the playmakers and fiercely backchecking. The Sharks have a decent amount of offensive-minded defensemen, especially with the ninth overall pick likely being used on a player like Rudolph. Piiparinen’s aptitude for shutting down opponents while still contributing to offensive pushes could be an answer to some of the team’s glaring defensive problems.Â
With three picks in the first round, and some of the best scouts in the league, draft day can’t come quickly enough for Sharks fans. Using second overall on Stenberg and ninth and 27th on defensemen is exactly the scenario needed to turn the club into a scary opponent.
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