It’s always hard to predict which team will be the next big dynasty, but there are always signs. The San Jose Sharks are beginning to show exactly those kinds of signs, building a foundation that suggests something much bigger could be on the horizon.
San Jose hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2019 and has been rebuilding, trading veterans and adding youth ever since. Now, with the rebuild nearly complete, the results look promising. The team continues to improve, with the best likely still ahead. Thanks to the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, the Sharks get to add a second-overall pick to their already budding young core.
This time, it’s clear to see: The San Jose Sharks have what it takes to be the next dynasty.
Sharks’ Draft Success
The primary source of San Jose’s success has been the NHL draft. They have had six first-round picks in the past three seasons, adding players like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa.
These draft picks have already played a major role in the Sharks’ recent success and are quickly establishing themselves as rising stars. Early success often translates to long-term growth, putting San Jose in position for sustained winning — and plenty of it.
Furthermore, the Sharks are not done adding through the draft. In the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, the Sharks won the second overall pick in this year’s draft. This means they could add yet another generational talent, making an already talented team even stronger.
Cap Space
Beyond draft improvements, the Sharks have a chance to strengthen even more this offseason.
They currently have the second most cap space in the league, and it would be in their best interest to use their money on veteran skaters.
Every great dynasty has had its share of veterans who know what it takes to win it all. It’s important to acquire young guys in the draft, but you need to pair them with proven leaders.
Having significant cap space will not only help the Sharks add more talent but also allow them to keep their current core intact. To build a dynasty, your top players need to stay together for the long run, and that financial flexibility gives San Jose the ability to lock up its young stars with long-term contracts.
San Jose has the money to extend their drafted players, while building their roster even further in free agency. The end result could be very scary for opposing teams.
Shades of Success
When the 2025-2026 season started, the Sharks were expected to once again be a bottom-five team in the league, as they were still seen as in the rebuilding phase. However, the Sharks shattered those expectations and were playoff contenders the entire season.
San Jose came up short of the final wild card spot, but only missed it by four points after an 86-point campaign.
In the process, the team showed it’s balanced, as the Sharks had four 20-goal scorers and four players reach 50 points.
This season was a start in the right direction for the club and an indication that the future is bright.
It may seem like an overreaction considering they missed the playoffs, but for a team still deep in a rebuild — with nine players under the age of 25 — it’s a fair assessment. The Sharks have already shown flashes of what they’re capable of, and if they continue to draft well, develop young talent, and add veteran pieces, they’ll only keep getting better.
Macklin Celebrini Is a Superstar
It doesn’t take one player to make a dynasty, but it certainly helps to have one of the best players in the league. At only 19 years old, it’s safe to say Celebrini is already in the top echelon of NHL players.
In his second season, Celebrini recorded 115 points, the most in a single season in franchise history, and was named a nominee for the Ted Lindsay Award, which is given to the most outstanding player as voted by the NHLPA.
In recent memory, hockey fans have seen how important it is to have a player like Celebrini. The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks wouldn’t have been dynasties without Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane.
Celebrini has already proven that he has the skill and leadership to guide the Sharks to the promised land.
The Sharks have assembled all the pieces needed to become a successful team in the NHL. It may take another year or two for them to fully reach their potential, but before long, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
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