Mike Grier, Sharks look like winners after first three picks in 2026 NHL Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
BUFFALO — The Sharks, no doubt, were big winners during the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday.
We’ll see if it leads to be being big winners on the ice.
The Sharks selected winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21.
What did an NHL scout, not with the Sharks, think of the picks?
None of these picks were used to address next year’s Sharks’ most glaring need, their blue line, but Stenberg, Verhoeff and Lin all are excellent prospects. Verhoeff and Lin were strong value choices, where they were selected.
And of course, the draft is not about today, it’s about tomorrow. But it’s worth noting that the widely held belief is that the Sharks acquired the No. 9 pick from the Ottawa Senators, in exchange for young winger William Eklund, to try to deal for a young-but-experienced, high-impact NHL defenseman.
That deal didn’t materialize, though Sharks general manager Mike Grier admitted that San Jose took one offer for No. 2, which included an established NHL player coming back to the Sharks, under “strong consideration”.
Anyway, 20-something, high-impact blueliners don’t grow on trees, so if you can’t find the right trade, drafting at Nos. 2 or 9 or 21 is no small consolation prize.
The scout raved about Stenberg, “He’s a complete player.”
To that point, while the 5-foot-11 winger is considered a future point-per-game scorer.
“You also appreciate his ability to work under pucks and play on both sides,” Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse emphasized. “He’s a dynamic offensive player, but he’s got that hard competitive skill that you’re always looking for.”
Grier said Stenberg was the No. 1 player on the Sharks’ board, ahead of winger Gavin McKenna, who went No. 1 overall to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Celebrini and Stenberg are going to be a terror for many years to come,” the scout said. “Talking in a world where need isn’t considered for San Jose, he’s an awesome pick.”
Stenberg is thought by many to be NHL-ready, and maybe one reason why the Sharks deemed popular winger Eklund expendable.
There was a lot of thought that the Sharks would go for a defenseman at No. 2 — Daxon Rudolph was the surprise first defenseman off the board at No. 4 to the Buffalo Sabres, while Chase Reid was a betting favorite for a while — but the Sharks, as they always said they would, went with their “best player available.”
“We didn’t pay attention to all the writers saying we should take a D,” Morehouse said, joking but not joking.
San Jose did address its organizational need on defense, at least in the future, with their next two picks.
Six-foot-4 right-hander Verhoeff had a fascinating campaign, entering the season as consensus No. 1 defenseman in the draft and ending up as the fifth blueliner off the board — still a tremendous feat.
Grier said the Sharks were entertaining trade offers until No. 7, when it was clear to them that Verhoeff would drop to No. 9.
“All things go right, you’re looking at a first-pair defensive anchor and first PK,” the scout opined.
“He’ll be more defensive-leaning,” the scout added. “Maybe not as much of an offensive sense? That showed up in college with more structure and tighter checking.”
Of course, the University of North Dakota defenseman deserves a lot of credit for playing in the NCAA as a 17-year-old, testing himself against older-than-junior players.
Sharks director of player personnel Scott Fitzgerald said the plan at the moment is for Verhoeff to return for more seasoning with North Dakota.
The Sharks showed how much they liked right-hander Lin, trading Nos. 27, 62, and 120 picks to the Philadelphia Flyers for the No. 21 pick.
“That’s a great swing to take Lin there,” the scout said. “He’s an excellent all-around defenseman, who just happens to be small.”
It doesn’t sound like Lin is projected to run a first-unit power play at the highest level, but like Stenberg, he’s a highly competitive smaller player who’s expected to make a significant two-way impact.
In one night, Grier blew up the narrative that he’s a size-obsessed GM, which was the thought of some, despite premium picks used on smaller talents like Will Smith and Leo Sahlin-Wallenius in previous years.
“Hard competitive skill” is the buzz phrase for all three of the Sharks’ first-round picks, including the smaller Stenberg and Lin.
“It’s something when you watch Carolina, they have some smaller guys, but they’re all competitive,” Grier said of this year’s Stanley Cup winner. “It’s a trait that goes back through the years, and in this league, if you’re a smaller guy and you want to have success, you better be competitive, and both these kids are.”
