The Sharks are likely heading into another development year, and with that, should be in the hunt for another top draft pick this coming season. But who are this year’s top prospects? Last year, Matthew Scaefer elevated his status from first-round talent to bona fide top 5 prospect at the Summer Showcase, and things can change on a dime once the season starts. With that said, I'm going to be looking at intriguing prospects for the Sharks to watch heading into next season.
Gavin McKenna is a cut above the field.
Gavin McKenna is the clear-cut prize at the top of this year's draft. This past year, he put up 129 points in the WHL in his draft-1 season. In addition, he made Team Canada’s U-20 team days after his 17th birthday. McKenna is taking his talents to Penn State in the NCAA this season, taking advantage of the new CHL-NCAA agreement. If the Sharks win the lottery for the 2nd time in 3 seasons, they would be hard-pressed to pass on McKenna despite their collection of high-end skill forwards. Having McKenna stapled to Celebrini for the next decade would be the making of a generational duo up front.
The 2026 draft is flush with high-end defensemen
If the Sharks don’t win the first overall pick, they should be in a position to snag a high-end right-shot defenseman with Keaton Verhoeff, Ryan Lin, and Daxon Rudolph all on track to be top 10 picks next season. Verhoeff is the most regarded of the trio, with Daily Faceoff’s Stevan Ellis having him ranked 2nd. Verhoeff spent last season in the WHL with Victoria, but, similar to McKenna, is heading to North Dakota of the NCAA next season. Verhoeff has everything you could ask for in a top-pair defenseman and would be a decent consolation prize for the Sharks. Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph are both on the smaller side at 5’11 and 6’1 respectively for defenseman, but have tons of untapped offensive potential and skating ability, and could rise throughout the season similarly to Matthew Schaefer this past season.
Top Forwards after McKenna
After McKenna, there are other intriguing forwards the Sharks could target. Ryan Roobroeck can play center or wing and can put the puck in the back of the net. The 6’4 forward would be an excellent complement to the Sharks' collection of more diminutive, skilled playmakers. A pair of Swedish forwards, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjork, lead the way for European prospects this year. Stenberg is the more projectable of the two, but Viggo Bjork is one of the most skilled players in this draft, only held back by his 5’9 frame. Overall, I'd expect the Sharks to lean towards the backend if they don’t get first overall, but you never know what things will look like next June.