San Jose’s pipeline is the clear top group in the NHL, headlined by an elite talent in Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks have surrounded him with legit building blocks, adding high-end pieces like Michael Misa, Ivar Stenberg, Will Smith and Keaton Verhoeff to the mix. Just because they’re No. 1 here doesn’t mean the rebuild is completely over, but they have acquired a wealth of premium elements. They boast a deep pool full of players who track to help this franchise contend down the line.

2025 ranking: 1

2026 NHL Draft grade: A

Player Ranking

1. Macklin Celebrini, C

June 13, 2006 | 6-foot-0 | 197 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 1 in 2024
Tier: Elite NHL player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: Elite
Compete: Elite
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Celebrini is already one of the very best players in the NHL. He’s one of the few players I’ve scouted where it’s hard to see any noticeable weakness. He skates very well. He has a very powerful stride with a quick-twitch in his first few steps and is able to get by a lot of defenders. Celebrini makes a ton of difficult plays with the puck on the move, in tight areas and from a standstill. He has a bullet shot and scores from range. He’s average-sized, but Celebrini is highly competitive, wins a ton of battles and projects as a two-way matchup center. He should be one of the very elite players in the league for the next decade.

2. Michael Misa, C

Feb. 16, 2007 | 6-foot-1 | 182 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 2 in 2025
Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Misa started off slow in his rookie NHL season, but he was much better in the second half. He’s a high-end skater with clear NHL edge work and top speed. He’s highly skilled and creative with tremendous vision. His ability to improvise in tight areas and on the move is elite and makes it easy to envision him producing major numbers. Misa won’t run guys over, but he competes well and is diligent without the puck. He takes a lot of pucks to the middle and generates most of his offense where goals are scored in the NHL, at the net. He projects as a potential first-line center, or in the case of San Jose’s system, a great second-line center.

3. Keaton Verhoeff, D

June 19, 2008 | 6-foot-4 | 212 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 9 in 2026
Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Verhoeff is a big two-way defenseman. He’s a strong skater, especially for his size. He isn’t flashy, nor is he overly creative offensively, but he has good skill, sees the ice well and makes difficult plays with a great point shot that will be a threat in the NHL. His decision-making at times can leave you wanting, though. He’s hard on his checks and uses his size. In college, he wasn’t a hard-minutes defenseman last season, but he has been at the junior level, and he was a 17-year-old on a top college team. He projects as a tough-minutes, top-pair defenseman who could score at a quality clip.

4. Ivar Stenberg, LW

Sept. 30, 2007 | 5-foot-11 | 183 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 2 in 2026
Tier: Top of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Stenberg is an electric offensive talent. He’s a high-end puck handler, passer and shooter who can make difficult plays with the puck routinely and is a natural scorer. He isn’t that big or mean, but he works hard and has shown he can win battles. His frame and good, but not great, small-guy skating will be concerns on his projection. He could be a top-line winger.

5. Will Smith, C

March 17, 2005 | 6-foot-0 | 180 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 4 in 2023
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Smith became an important part of the Sharks’ offense last season. He has tremendous puck skills, vision and overall offensive creativity, as well as the pure puck play to run a PP1 flank at a high level. He skates well and makes so many high-difficulty plays at a strong pace. Smith is a high-end passer who finds a lot of O-zone seams and is also able to finish chances from the dots. The only real wart in his game is his effort level at times. He shies away from contact and the high-percentage areas, although his overall effort level is fine in other areas of the game. It’s why, despite being a center as an amateur, he’s more likely to become a very good top-six winger.

6. Igor Chernyshov, LW

Nov. 30, 2005 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 33 in 2024
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: High-end
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Chernyshov had a great season. He came out flying in the AHL, and when called up to the Sharks, he looked like he belonged instantly. He’s a big, powerful winger who skates well and has tremendous offensive skills. He beats defenders routinely with his one-on-one plays, sees the ice well and has a decent shot from range. Chernyshov has become much more direct in how he attacks, using his big body to drive the net often, and that subtle change has allowed him to become a menace already. He projects as a top-six winger.

7. Joshua Ravensbergen, G

Nov. 27, 2006 | 6-foot-5 | 190 pounds | Catches right

Drafted: No. 30 in 2025
Tier: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Ravensbergen was one of the best goalies in junior last season, following up a tough draft season. He’s big and very athletic, with the quick-twitch in his lower half of a smaller goaltender. He anticipates the play well and is quite aggressive in challenging shooters with his big frame. He can be a bit overaggressive and chaotic in net, but he tightened up his game, making tough saves more consistently. Ravensbergen projects as a starting goalie.

8. Sam Dickinson, D

June 7, 2006 | 6-foot-3 | 203 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 11 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end

Analysis: Dickinson was OK as a rookie pro in the NHL; he held his own but didn’t really stand out. He has an explosive, fluid stride, breaking up plays and closing gaps easily due to his skating. Dickinson is very skilled at handling the puck, and often creates chances due to the combo of his skating and skill. He also has a hard slap shot from the point and projects to score a good number of goals. He has good offense, although he’s never been a natural puck-mover and can make questionable decisions at times. For a guy his size, you’d ideally like him to be a bit harder to play against, too. He projects as a top-four defenseman.

9. Filip Bystedt, C

Feb. 4, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 187 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 27 in 2022
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Bystedt was excellent in the AHL in his second season in North America. He’s a big center who can skate quite well and has good offensive qualities. He has the hands, vision and finishing touch to create consistent chances versus men and has shown for years he can score at the pro level. Bystedt isn’t overly physical, but he’s reliable without the puck and can play on the PK. He projects as a third-line center.

10. Ryan Lin, D

April 18, 2008 | 5-foot-11 | 178 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 21 in 2026
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Lin is a very smart defenseman. He has the high-end vision and poise to run a power play and makes difficult passes at both ends of the ice. He’s a smaller defenseman, but plays hard and wins a surprising number of battles for his size. His skating is fine, but it’s an issue for his frame, and his defense will be a question. He projects as a No. 4/5 defenseman.

11. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D

April 10, 2006 | 6-foot-0 | 180 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 53 in 2024
Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Sahlin Wallenius played well against men last season and was a top defenseman at the World Juniors. He isn’t the biggest defenseman, but he’s a very solid two-way player, with a powerful and efficient stride that allows him to easily evade pressure and skate pucks up ice. He closes on checks well and is great coming back on pucks in a way that should translate. Sahlin Wallenius has good hands and vision and can shoot the puck well, too, even though he doesn’t project as a major scorer at the higher levels. He’s not the flashiest defenseman you will ever see, but his NHL-caliber feet, to go with a steady, competitive two-way game, make coaches trust him and could lead to him being a legit NHL defenseman.

12. Quentin Musty, LW

July 6, 2005 | 6-foot-2 | 200 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 26 in 2023
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: Below NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Musty is a highly skilled puck handler who can make difficult plays with the puck at a high rate. He tries to make things happen and shows a strong level of creativity. Musty is a great passer who can hit open lanes and has the patience to pull up and make plays. He can score goals and is a shot threat from range. The concerns on Musty’s game have always been his pace and effort level. He’s not a great skater, can give inconsistent efforts and plays on the outside at times. He has clear middle-to-top-six tools, but I can see him testing a coach’s patience if he makes the NHL.

13. Cameron Lund, C

June 7, 2004 | 6-foot-2 | 192 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 34 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Analysis: Lund has a lot of tools. He’s a big winger who skates quite well and is very skilled. He creates offense on the move and when the game slows down with his playmaking. He’s a threat to score from range, too. He plays on the outside too much, though, and his physical effort can be lackluster, although he’s been better as a pro in that regard than I expected. His talent should get him games, but whether he sticks will depend on his consistency.

14. Brady Knowling, G

March 9, 2008 | 6-foot-5 | 205 pounds | Catches left

Drafted: No. 127 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Below NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average

Analysis: Knowling was the top goalie on the U.S. NTDP this season with some sterling international performances and made the USA World Junior team. He’s a large goalie and is great with his angles and positioning and takes away a lot of net. His lateral quickness is fine. He’s fast for his size and makes tough stops, although it’s not truly elite athleticism. Knowling can also be inconsistent and be victim to bad goals. If you catch his best games, he looks like a legit No. 1 goalie, but that player doesn’t always show up.

15. Teddy Mutryn, C

Feb. 16, 2007 | 6-foot-1 | 210 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 95 in 2025
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Mutryn had a very good season as a top player on a good Moncton team, and he had a huge playoff run. He’s a hardworking forward with good speed who can play center or wing. He has good enough hands and finishing ability, but he doesn’t make many plays or show much offensive IQ. He’s quite physical, though, and is a diligent two-way forward. He has a path to becoming a bottom-six type if his offense translates even a bit.

16. Eric Pohlkamp, D

March 23, 2004 | 5-foot-10 | 200 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 132 in 2023
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Pohlkamp has been a top player in the NCHC for the last few years. He’s a skilled puck-mover who makes difficult plays with the puck, sees the ice at a high level and has a big shot from the point. He’s small, but he’s stocky and plays hard. His defending versus college players was good. As a pro, it will be a question. His skating is fine, but it’s not great for his size.

17. Joey Muldowney, RW

June 5, 2004 | 5-foot-11 | 155 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 172 in 2022
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average

Analysis: Muldowney has been a very good college player for the last two years. He’s not that big, but he’s fast and competitive, and despite his size, he doesn’t show fear getting to the net to create offense. He has good hands, vision and finishing ability, and projects to create chances.

18. Carson Wetsch, RW

May 4, 2006 | 6-foot-2 | 190 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 82 in 2024
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: High-end

Analysis: Wetsch’s game is defined by his speed and energy. He isn’t the most skilled or instinctive forward you’ll see, but he’s always around the puck. He’s a quick skater. He’s hard on every puck, wins a ton of battles and is highly physical. Westch has enough skill to be competent with the puck at higher levels, and with his two-way game he could be a bottom-six winger.

19. Jake Gustafson, LW

April 3, 2008 | 6-foot-4 | 186 pounds | Shoots right

Drafted: No. 174 in 2026
Tier: NHL prospect

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: NHL average

Analysis: Gustafson is a big winger with good puck skills. He uses his large frame to get to the net to create offense and can win a fair number of battles. His foot speed is decent as well, and he can beat guys wide off the rush, although his first steps are just OK. The pure offense in his game isn’t great, and he doesn’t make many plays, which could limit him.

Player eligibility: All skaters who are 22 years old or younger as of Sept. 15, 2026, regardless of how many NHL games they’ve played, are eligible. Player heights and weights are taken from the NHL.

Tool grades: Tool grades are based on a scale with six separate levels, with an eye toward how this attribute would grade in the NHL (poor, below-average, average, above-average, high-end and elite). “Average” on this scale means the tool projects as NHL average, which is meant as a positive, not a criticism. Skating, puck skills, hockey sense and compete for every projected NHL player are graded. Shot grades are only included if a shot is notably good or poor.

Tier definitions: Tiers are meant to show roughly where in an average NHL lineup a player projects to slot in.