Sharks Trading No. 2 Pick Would Be Best Scenario Amid New NHL Draft Rumors

The San Jose Sharks narrowly missed out on the NHL playoffs this past season, thanks in large part to the offensive spark provided by 19-year-old superstar-in-the-making, Macklin Celebrini. They were ultimately left on the outside looking in, thanks to one of the league's worst defensive units, an area the Sharks' front office will be looking to improve this off-season, including entering the NHL Draft.

During an appearance on Sirius XM NHL Network Radio's Power Play Segment with Steve Kouleas and Jason Strudwick, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reported that, "San Jose is interested in moving back a little bit, so they have the second overall pick. They're willing to trade it now, of course. If they get a top-pair defenseman or a stud defenseman for that pick, then I think that they would consider something like that" (h/t NHLRumors.com for the transcription). 

The Sharks allowed 290 goals in 2025-26, well above the league average of 253. More stunningly is that the defense did not tally a single shutout all season, while allowing 3.54 goals, on average, per game.

The team's lack of a top-tier defenseman, coupled with a nonexistent right shot and their immense struggles to get the puck out of their own zone was a recipe for defensive ineptitude that ranked them near the bottom of the league.

Utilizing the No. 2 overall pick to acquire what the team needs, rather than selecting a prospect at the top of the draft and paying them based strictly on best player available, is exactly the type of move the Sharks front office must execute.

Morgan Rielly of Toronto and Bo Byram of Buffalo are two buzzworthy defensemen potentially available via trade, both of whom would upgrade the Sharks current situation. Byram is unarguably the better player at this point in his career, but even with his lackluster last few seasons with the Maple Leafs, Rielly is a veteran player with playoff experience, who could bring stability to the Sharks' blue line.

Byram, because of his youth, is an excellent fit for the Sharks and can bring his 11 goals and 31 assists to the team, as well as his puck transitioning, which would be a huge improvement in terms of getting the puck out of San Jose's end of the ice.

Regardless of which defenseman the team targets, it would be wise to utilize the pick to improve the team with a proven commodity, rather than making a pick that may take years to develop into a player who can help the team at its weak spot.

The alternative is hoping Celebrini, in year two, can carry the offensive load and advance the Sharks into the playoffs, where they will likely have to outscore opponents at a high clip rather than winning gritty, postseason games and legitimately contending for the Stanley Cup.