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The San Jose Sharks are focusing on how to build their roster around Macklin Celebrini after a strong 2025-26 season. With the No. 2 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery, the team is shifting from survival to strategic construction.
The San Jose Sharks have entered the 2026 offseason expecting progress after a solid growth in the 2025-26 season. They are facing a far more important question: how should they build around Macklin Celebrini after landing the No. 2 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery?
San Joseâs rapid rise changed the conversation around the franchise. One year after finishing near the bottom of the standings, the Sharks won 39 games and narrowly missed the playoffs by four points. Celebriniâs historic 115-point season accelerated the rebuild far ahead of schedule and pushed general manager Mike Grier into a different phase entirely.
Now the debate centers on roster construction, not survival.
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Speaking on the Spittinâ Chiclets podcast, former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney argued San Jose should avoid overthinking the second pick.
âThe San Jose Sharks getting a second overall pick,â Whitney said. âThatâs even more incredible because now they donât even have to make the decision. But if you are somebody who says itâs Stenberg or McKenna and itâs somewhat of a battle, well, whoever they donât take, we gotâŠ
âNow, people have said they have to take a D. I kind of get that, but if youâre talking about a generational-type player, I think you take best player available and figure it out.â
That comment cuts directly to the Sharksâ dilemma. If Toronto Maple Leafs select Gavin McKenna first overall as expected, San Jose could choose between elite winger Ivar Stenberg or a franchise defenseman like Chase Reid or Carson Carels.

Macklin Celebrini's historic 115-point season has accelerated the Sharks' rebuild and shifted their focus to strategic roster construction.
The Sharks won 39 games and narrowly missed the playoffs by four points, marking a significant improvement from the previous season.
The Sharks need to balance fit versus talent in their roster construction to maximize Celebrini's impact as a core player.
Ryan Whitney, a former NHL defenseman, believes the Sharks should avoid overthinking their decision regarding the second overall pick in the NHL Draft.
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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) and center Will Smith (2) at San Jose
Most rebuilding teams draft based strictly on upside. The Sharks are no longer operating in that space.
Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund already form one of the NHLâs best under-23 cores. San Jose finished second in league-wide scoring contributions from players aged 23 or younger.
That changes the urgency around defensive structure.
The Sharks still allowed goals at an alarming rate and finished with one of the NHLâs weakest penalty kills. Their blue line lacks a true anchor capable of handling heavy minutes in all situations. That is why many around the league believe San Jose should prioritize defense over another elite forward.
Whitney acknowledged that possibility too, saying the Sharks could justify taking a defenseman if they project as a âChris Pronger-styleâ cornerstone capable of playing 25 minutes a night.
San Joseâs cap flexibility adds another layer to the equation, since they will have $41.5 million in cap space for the next season.
One of Spittinâ Chiclets hosts, Mike Grinnell, suggested the Sharks could aggressively pursue Rasmus Andersson this summer. The fit makes sense. San Jose has massive cap space and very few long-term commitments outside its young core.
âThey have $40 million in cap space next year, $82 million the year after that,â Grinnell said. âThey still have to sign Will and Mack, but you go sign him, maybe pair him with [Sam] Dickinson, that kid they got 11th overall a few years ago who played in London.â
If the Sharks believe Andersson is attainable, selecting Stenberg at No. 2 becomes easier. A Celebrini-Stenberg-Smith offensive nucleus would immediately become one of hockeyâs most dangerous young groups.
But relying on free agency to fix a defense can be risky. Elite defensemen rarely hit the market in their prime, and rebuilding teams often overpay for stability.
The smarter long-term play may still be drafting the best defenseman available and building a complete structure around Celebrini instead of simply maximizing offense. The Sharks already have star power. The next step is creating a roster capable of surviving playoff hockey.