2026 Sharks Potential Free Agent Targets: Patrik Laine
While adding another forward likely isn't at the top of the San Jose Sharks' agenda for the offseason, Mike Grier has shown a tendency to bring in a couple of players who are looking to rejuvenate their careers on a low-cost deal. We've seen it with Filip Zadina, Klim Kostin, and Philipp Kurashev to name a few, and while none of them have worked out, they were worthwhile experiments.
Video Transcript
Moving on from the Leafs, let's talk about the Sharks.
This is the fourth straight year that they're gonna be picking inside the top four.
back in 2023, they got Will Smith fourth overall, then Macklin Celebrin number one overall, then last year Michael Misah second overall.
Ryan, with the number two overall pick, you know, who do you expect San Jose to be picking, and is this enough of a move?
We talked about Toronto getting a bump.
What is the bump gonna be like for a Sharks team that was right on the cusp of being a playoff team this year?
Well, my, my initial thought, and I, I, I did this in my, my instant mock draft last night.
I went with a defenseman, Chase Reid from Sault Ste.
Marie in the OHL, because they do have those high-end forwards already.
And yes, they do have Sam Dickinson, who's a very good young defenseman.
But I think Sam Dickinson ideally is like a Jacob Chychrun.
Like, he's probably, like, a number two defenseman, you know, in an ideal situation.
Chase Reid, has so much potential, where he's so good in both ends.
He's got size, he can skate, he can put up points.
he's still, you know, emerging as a, as a developing player, so there's still upside there.
S- I think that's the type of player San Jose should go for.
Now, if they go with a forward, Iver Stenberg would be another amazing top six player for them.
But in this draft, you have Chase Reid, you have Carson Karls, who's kind of a flawless defenseman, when you talk to scouts, and you have Keaton Verhoff, who's six foot four and had 20 points as a freshman in the NCHC, which Drew knows very well is a very hard conference.
And Verhoff is still 17 years old.
so the Sharks, they're in a n- they're in a great spot, because they can basically pick whoever Toronto doesn't and, and land a great player.
And I think it should be a blue liner, just to round out, you know, that roster.
