The Sharks were the worst team in the league this year again and will pick second in the NHL draft. They will also have $43.9 million in cap space this summer and seem poised to add another couple of veterans like they did last year with Tyler Toffoli, to aid in the development of their younger players.
The Sharks are the youngest team in the league and will continue to get younger with two 1st- rounder selections this draft and in 2026. They will definitely be looking to take step forward next year, not to be a playoff contender but probably aim for the 70-point range.
Weakness for the Sharks
The Sharks only scored 52 points last year, easily the fewest in the league, nine fewer than Chicago. However, as I said, the vibes in San Jose are better compared to Chicago (at least you guys have the Pope now). Yet the Sharks have one massive weakness: defense.
They also do not own their own 2026 third-round pick, which Pittsburgh has. You may not think this is important, but not owning their own pick means they cannot make certain offer sheets.
Trades
The logic for this trade is simple for the Penguins; they need as many throws at the dart board as possible in the first round, and I think the Sharks would be open to this deal. They would acquire their 2026 third-round pick, which can be used for offer sheets, as well as a 2026 selection that will likely be a high second-round pick.
This is a dream trade, but hear me out. The Sharks have a ton of young forward depth in Celebrini, Will Smith, Cameron Lund, William Eklund, and Quentin Musty. What they really needed need is a young defense prospect. If they won the lottery they would have had access to Matthew Schaefer but it seems they lost that opportunity.
Acquiring Rakell would also solve another problem for the Sharks, a lack of quality forward depth. Rakell would take some pressure off of the young Sharks, such as Celebrini and Smith, who will not have to shoulder as much of the scoring burden.
For the Penguins, they would obviously draft Michael Misa. They desperately need an elite forward prospect and Misa would fit that bill. Also in this trade the Penguins would keep the 12th overall pick, assuming the Rangers give them this years pick. Even if the Rangers do not give the Penguins the 12th overall pick, I would still make this trade.