The San Jose Sharks’ 2026 Training Camp is beginning Thursday, prompting a detailed look at each player and the questions they face heading into the 2026-27 season.
Forwards:
Alex Barre-Boulet’s potential to deliver top-tier scoring for the Barracuda—and possibly earn an NHL roster spot—is under evaluation. Filip Bystedt is at a pivotal point—will this be the season he finally makes the jump to the NHL? Ethan Cardwell’s future in the NHL could be uncertain if he’s been overtaken on the depth chart by other prospects. Macklin Celebrini’s performance this year might see him rewriting franchise records. Igor Chernyshov’s established NHL readiness raises questions about where he fits into the current roster and whose position he might be challenging. Ty Dellandrea must contend with rising young talents for a spot or risk being sent to the AHL. Tye Felhaber’s scoring form from the 2024-25 AHL season is worth watching, as is rookie standout Andre Gasseau’s ability to impress against tougher competition—a potential exception to the trend. Adam Gaudette’s goal-scoring skills could give him an edge or result in limited ice time as the 13th forward. Patrick Giles needs to demonstrate improvement to secure a more permanent NHL role. Barclay Goodrow’s leadership qualities could be crucial if younger players outperform him during camp. Collin Graf faces the challenge of fitting into a top-six lineup that may already have established players like Stenberg, Marchment, and Chernyshov. Jake Gustafson’s first NHL training camp is a learning experience that could influence his WHL season. Donovan Houle may either cement a consistent AHL role or fall back into the ECHL. Jimmy Huntington’s leadership might earn him depth call-ups, while Brett Leason aims to return to his previous high-scoring form after mostly AHL play last season. Cam Lund’s health remains a concern for another shot at the NHL. Michael Misa’s transition to a second-line center role will be scrutinized after a rookie faceoff that fell short of expectations. Quentin Musty has adopted a more gritty style, which could help him edge into the NHL. Zack Ostapchuk’s four-year, low-cap-hit contract raises expectations; his performance must justify the investment. Kiefer Sherwood’s scoring slump since joining the Sharks needs addressing to reclaim his offensive threat level. Will Smith’s breakout could be imminent, potentially rivaling celebrations of superstar prospects like Celebrini. Ivar Stenberg’s adaptation to North American hockey and the team’s development approach is under consideration. Tyler Toffoli’s age and recent performance are being examined to assess if he can still be an impactful player. Anthony Vincent’s role in the Barracuda could shift with new additions, and Alexander Wennberg’s ability to hold off Misa for the second-line center spot remains in question. Carson Wetsch hopes to leverage his Rookie Faceoff momentum into an NHL spot in his first professional year.
Defensemen:
Nolan Allan, who last appeared in the NHL during the 2024-25 season with the Blackhawks, aims to secure the final defensive roster spot. Luca Cagnoni’s ability to handle playing on his off-hand could earn him a spot on the blue line. Sam Dickinson, who seemed underprepared early last season, now faces the question of whether he’s truly NHL-ready. Libor Hajek’s return to North American hockey after four years leaves doubts—will he be an NHL player or more suited for the AHL? Mattias Havelid’s health and availability are factors that could impact his contribution to the blue line. Alexander Karmanov’s size was an advantage in the Rookie Faceoff, but whether he can compete at the NHL level remains uncertain. Michael Kesselring’s struggles in Buffalo last season make his bounce-back performance a point of focus. Roland McKeown’s leadership qualities are vital to the Barracuda in tough times. Darnell Nurse’s move to the Sharks needs to show tangible benefits. Mack Oliphant must demonstrate enough skill to secure a consistent spot with the Barracuda or risk being assigned to Wichita. Dmitry Orlov, nearing the end of his contract, faces a decision: should he take on a veteran role with limited ice time or be a key player nightly? Eric Pohlkamp’s impressive showing at the Rookie Faceoff and his powerful shot give him a chance to enter the NHL straight away. Leo Sahlin-Wallenius needs to adapt quickly to North American hockey, especially at the AHL level. Phillip Sinn, coming from the DEL, remains largely unknown but could bring unexpected value. Jacob Trouba’s hefty contract has drawn criticism; he must justify his cap hit with strong play.
Goaltenders:
Yaroslav Askarov aims to establish himself as the Sharks’ long-term No. 1 goalie, but the emergence of Ravensbergen could challenge that. Eric Comrie’s accumulated NHL experience might give him an edge to unseat other contenders from the backup spot, despite expectations of an AHL role. Matt Davis faces the task of proving he deserves a two-way deal rather than an AHL-only contract. Brady Knowling’s impressive performance at the Rookie Faceoff sets the stage for continued momentum. Alexander Nedeljkovic’s chances of overtaking Askarov for the starting position hinge on his recent form; he could also remain as the backup or be overtaken by Comrie.
Many aspects of the Sharks’ roster are approaching clarity, yet numerous questions remain that only time—and their performances—will answer.
Fan Take: This training camp is a pivotal moment for the Sharks, as it will reveal how the team’s younger talents are progressing and whether they’re poised for a competitive season. For hockey fans, this excitement underscores the ever-present quest for fresh talent and the relentless pursuit of team improvement, fueling the sport’s evolution and keeping fans eagerly invested in each season’s unfolding story.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
