The San Jose Sharks are skating into a pivotal chapter of their franchise story, fueled by the electrifying rise of Macklin Celebrini and a renewed sense of optimism throughout the Bay Area. With the 2026 Winter Olympics recently concluded and the NHL trade deadline looming just a week away, the Sharks find themselves in an unexpectedly competitive position, balancing the excitement of a playoff push with the realities of a team still emerging from a challenging rebuild.
Celebrini, the 19-year-old forward who has already captured the imagination of hockey fans worldwide, returned to San Jose after a dazzling Olympic performance in Italy. Representing Team Canada, Celebrini racked up five goals and five assists, proving his mettle on the international stage despite Canada falling short of gold in a hard-fought loss to Team USA. His breakout tournament only amplified the buzz surrounding his NHL trajectory. "We want to take those next steps," Celebrini remarked, reflecting on both his Olympic experience and the Sharks' ambitions. "I mean, all this comes along with it — the fans, the attention. We want those expectations. We want that pressure."
For a franchise that hasn't seen the Stanley Cup Final in a decade, Celebrini's emergence couldn't have come at a better time. The Sharks, long mired in the lower half of the Western Conference, are suddenly keeping pace in the Pacific Division. As of February 26, 2026, San Jose sports a record of 27-24-4, sitting sixth in the division with roughly a third of the regular season left to play. Few, if any, expected the Sharks to be in playoff contention so soon, but Celebrini's rapid development has put the club ahead of schedule in its ongoing rebuild.
The mood around the SAP Center has shifted palpably. Sharks broadcaster Brodie Brazil captured the sentiment well: "Here in San Jose, we're all hoping that some of that focus and attention transfers over to people paying more attention to this team." The hope is that Celebrini's star power will reinvigorate a fanbase that has endured years of tough results. "A lot of people already thought that he's one of the main characters of the movie that's going on here," Brazil added. "I think everybody is now hoping that the supporting cast can build around him and this franchise can have another legendary run."
But the current campaign is not without its challenges. The Sharks' management, led by General Manager Mike Grier, faces a delicate balancing act as the trade deadline approaches. With $641,000 in cap space, 48 of 50 contracts used, and two of three salary retention slots filled, San Jose's options are limited but not nonexistent. The team is widely seen as a "conservative buyer" at the deadline, meaning they may look to add pieces for a playoff push without mortgaging the future.
One of the most pressing questions is what to do with veteran defensemen Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, and Vincent Desharnais—all on expiring contracts. Ferraro, at 27, is valued for his leadership and defensive reliability, particularly on the penalty kill. While not a top-pairing blueliner, his physical style and quick skating make him a coveted asset for teams seeking depth ahead of the playoffs. There is reported interest within the organization to keep Ferraro on a short-term deal, but his expiring contract could also net the Sharks valuable future assets if dealt.
Klingberg, meanwhile, has enjoyed a resurgence in San Jose, logging over 21 minutes per night and producing at a 40-point pace—the kind of numbers he hasn't posted in years. Signed to a one-year deal, Klingberg was initially seen as a likely trade candidate, but the Sharks' ongoing playoff hunt complicates that calculus. With so few teams selling at this year's deadline, San Jose could command a premium if they choose to move Klingberg, yet his presence is also crucial to their current success.
Desharnais is another name to watch, though his role is less central than Ferraro's or Klingberg's. If the Sharks acquire a younger defenseman or fall out of contention, he could be on the move as well.
San Jose's prospect pipeline remains one of the NHL's deepest, even as some of their most promising youngsters graduate to the big club. Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen, selected 30th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, stands out for his 6’5” frame and strong positional play. While his junior numbers have yet to fully impress, his upside is clear, and the organization is in no rush to trade him. As one league observer put it, "Given the unpredictability of the goaltending position, the Sharks felt it was a worthwhile bet to add another highly touted goaltending prospect." With Yaroslav Askarov also in the fold, the Sharks have enviable depth in the crease.
Still, the team has needs. Chief among them is a right-shot defenseman who can move the puck and contribute offensively. The Sharks reportedly pursued New Jersey's Dougie Hamilton last summer but couldn't finalize a deal. Whether they revisit that pursuit remains to be seen, but the desire for a dynamic blueliner is clear. Additionally, San Jose's forward group could use a boost. The acquisition of Kiefer Sherwood from Vancouver has helped, but the Sharks are still deploying younger players like Collin Graf and Philipp Kurashev in key roles, a testament to both their promise and the team's lack of depth. Management would love to add a middle-six forward to provide more balance and scoring punch.
Draft capital remains a valuable currency for the Sharks. In 2026, they hold their own first and seventh-round picks, plus selections from Edmonton, Colorado, Florida, Montreal, and Philadelphia. The 2027 draft cupboard is similarly stocked, with picks from Chicago as well. This flexibility gives Grier options as he navigates the deadline, weighing the value of present success against future growth.
Celebrini himself is acutely aware of the stakes. "When you're losing, you can't expect someone to pay their money to come watch you lose," he said. "So we are going to try to change that." His words echo the determination of a young core eager to restore San Jose's winning tradition. The franchise's last trip to the Stanley Cup Final was ten years ago—a lifetime in hockey terms—but with Celebrini leading the charge, the dream of another deep playoff run no longer feels out of reach.
With the trade deadline fast approaching and momentum building both on and off the ice, the Sharks are skating into uncharted waters. Whether this season ends with a playoff berth or simply lays the foundation for future glory, one thing is certain: the Bay Area's hockey faithful have plenty to cheer about as a new era dawns in San Jose.