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Rebuilds arenâ€t supposed to be fun. But even by incredibly low standards, the last few years in San Jose have been tougher than most. After falling just shy of a berth in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, the club bottomed out before leaning all the way into an extensive tear-down that has required plenty of patience.

Last year showed signs of life — okay, maybe not in the standings, where the Sharks†painful 20-50-12 record earned them just 52 points and the second overall selection one year after picking first. But it was there. Rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith took their first strides, second-year pro William Eklund found his footing, and while Yaroslav Askarov stumbled in his first year in teal, his presence gives the young club a netminder to build around.

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The building continues in 2025-26, with more fresh faces looking for roster spots — top prospects Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson among them — and brighter days (read: more wins!) on the horizon. How many more wins is the big question here. Because while the club is expected to progress in the standings, success in the upcoming campaign likely wonâ€t be measured in the win column alone. Meaningful hockey in March would be a great place to start.

The year ahead should see plenty of new faces get their first starts with the club as the team looks to continue its youth movement, but the veteran additions can be just as important to help the vision come to life. While there is understandably a lot of focus up front this year as the Sharks look to up their offensive game and turn things over to the kids, the 2025-26 season will be a year of much change on the blue line, too. The signing of Orlov to a two-year, $13-million pact this summer instantly made the 34-year-old not only the highest paid rearguard on the roster but the owner of the longest current contract at the position. The lone defenceman signed beyond this season, Orlov brings valuable experience — 10 straight years of playoff hockey, including a Stanley Cup ring in Washington — and a stable presence to San Joseâ€s blue line in a year of change. With top defensive prospect Sam Dickinson looking to break into the lineup, and second-year NHLer Shakir Mukhamadullin hoping to build on last seasonâ€s promising start, the Sharks should be able to rely on Orlov to help set the tone while also providing a little offence from the back end after bouncing back in the stats department the last two years in Carolina.Â

Under-the-radar player to watch: Shakir Mukhamadullin

Speaking of the blue line, all that opportunity bodes well for 23-year-old Mukhamadullin to make the most of his one-year, $1-million bridge deal and prove to Sharks brass heâ€s a piece the club can build around. The 2020 first rounder (Devils) started last season with the AHL Barracuda and once he got the call from the big club last December was able to stick with the Sharks. Nine points in 30 games with San Jose show glimpses of his offensive upside. Where he fits in depends at least in part on whether top D prospect Dickinson can solidify his spot on the roster out of camp. Dickinson has the potential to be a franchise cornerstone in teal. If Mukhamadullin can find his footing as a top-four guy, the Sharks will have the beginnings of a strong young unit.Â

Top prospect: Michael Misa

Misaâ€s arrival couldnâ€t have come at a better time for the Sharks, whose offence struggled mightily last season as the club turned over its top six to the youth movement. Misa is as creative as they come, a masterful playmaker and setup man but also a dangerous scoring threat no matter the play. A something-from-nothing scorer, Misaâ€s spectacular showing in Saginaw last season — 62 goals and 134 points in 65 games and the leagueâ€s most outstanding player title — shows a player whoâ€s ready for his next challenge. The Sharks†second overall selection in June signed his entry-level deal in time to attend training camp, and while he has yet to actually make the opening-night roster itâ€s hard not to imagine the magic Misa can bring to a top six that includes Celebrini, Smith, and Eklund. Speed bumps abound, sure, but this could be fun.

1. Can Celebrini lead Sharks†offence out of the basement?

The Sharks ranked dead last in goal-scoring per game (2.54) in 2024-25, despite the addition of first-overall pick Celebrini and 2023 first-rounder Will Smith taking the reins. Celebriniâ€s 25 goals and team-leading 63 points was a great start for the top talent of the Class of 2024, and all signs point to both numbers rising in Year 2. Tyler Toffoliâ€s 30 markers on the season set the pace, with only he and Celebrini scoring more than 20 goals on the season. A full NHL off-season for Celebrini and Smith, plus another year for Eklund to build on, should see this group grow together, and the aforementioned Misa getting a good, long NHL look could yield some strong chemistry, too.

2. How many rookies will make the jump?

The youth surge is in full swing, and whether top prospects like Misa and Dickinson can make their mark will tell us a lot about what to expect from the Sharks†rebuild timeline. But while Misa and Dickinson are the biggest names on the brink of making their NHL debuts, they arenâ€t the only ones pressing. Winger Quentin Musty, San Joseâ€s 26th overall pick from 2023, turned pro last spring when he joined the AHL Barracuda for a short stint. He brings size and speed off the rush and a little sandpaper to board battles in his quest to make the Sharks roster. Igor Chernyshov, too, is a big body with speed who will likely warrant some attention should he get an opportunity.Â

3. Can Yaroslav Askarov prove heâ€s the guy?

When the Sharks traded for top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov last August, the team appeared confident theyâ€d found their long-term franchise netminder. A lacklustre start to his Sharks tenure shouldnâ€t deter that feeling, but thereâ€s no denying this season holds a little extra pressure for the 23-year-old to regain his footing. Askarov started just 13 games for San Jose last season as he dealt with injury issues, posting an uncharacteristic 3.10 goals-against average and equally uninspiring .896 save percentage. He looked better during his stint with the Barracuda — especially in the playoffs — and is poised to reclaim his crease with the Sharks and make good on his second chance at a first impression. While the top job is his, San Joseâ€s signing of backup Alex Nedeljkovic this summer helps solidify things should the injury bug strike, and will be worth watching if San Jose opts to deploy the duo as a tandem to help both thrive.Â

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