Sharks land three promising prospects in 2026 first round
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier walked away from the 2026 NHL Draft's first round with three picks—Ivar Stenberg at No. 2, Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and Ryan Lin at No. 21—seen as future-building blocks rather than immediate fixes to the blue line. Stenberg is hailed as a complete, high-upside winger; Verhoeff and Lin are strong defensive prospects who could contribute down the road. The Sharks reportedly explored a deal for an established defenseman (including discussions involving William Eklund) but did not pull the trigger, choosing the best-player-available approach and aiming to bolster their depth for tomorrow.
