Sharks have – After skating with Vancouver-area teammate Macklin Celebrini this offseason, defenseman Alexander Stenberg says the Sharks are headed into a rare stretch of momentum—one he believes could shape the next decade after seven straight missed playoff seasons.
When Alexander Stenberg walked into practice discussions this offseason, the excitement wasn’t theoretical. Lin—who has already skated with Celebrini a few times this offseason and is also from the Vancouver area—put it simply: joining a young group that’s rapidly clicking is “awesome.”
Stenberg echoed that feeling with a sharper certainty. “They have something really good going on,” he said.
The context around those words matters. The Sharks have missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for seven straight seasons. but the organization has been steadily reloading—stacking high-end draft talent with the belief that the timing would eventually line up. Over the past four drafts. they’ve selected nine players in the first round. including four top-four picks: center Will Smith (No. 4 in 2023), Celebrini (No. 1 in 2024), center Michael Misa (No. 2 in 2025), and Stenberg.
Lin framed the draw as the kind of opportunity you don’t get often: a team rich with young talent. and a chance to join it early. “I think everyone knows how good of a player he is — he already is at 19 — and all their young talent. ” Lin said. “It’s a really good situation I’m going into, and yeah, I can’t wait.”.
That optimism sits beside the Sharks’ sudden competitiveness this season. Celebrini finished fourth in the NHL with 115 points—45 goals and 70 assists—in 82 games. He also helped Team Canada win silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February.
On the ice, the Sharks moved closer to the postseason ahead of schedule. They contended for a playoff spot and finished four points out of the second wild card from the Western Conference.
Verhoeff pointed to what happens after talent arrives. “The next 10, 15 years are going to be pretty special there,” Verhoeff said. “I mean, the players they’ve (added) already and how they’ve been playing already, obviously taking a jump, they’ve been an exciting team to watch.”
For Lin, the feeling is personal as much as it is professional. He called the group’s depth—young players ready to grow together—something hard to describe when it’s happening for real. “All the young talent they have, they’re rich with it. To join that and hopefully be a part of that one day, it’s really, really surreal.”.
In the Sharks’ case, the pitch is no longer just about potential after a long drought. With four top-four picks across four drafts and a season that put them four points from the second wild card. Stenberg’s line lands like a promise: not that the rebuild is finished. but that the direction is finally unmistakable—and the people walking into the room can see it.
San Jose Sharks Alexander Stenberg Macklin Celebrini Will Smith Michael Misa NHL playoffs NHL draft 2026 Winter Olympics Team Canada silver Western Conference wild card
So… the Sharks are good now? Crazy what happens when they draft right, I guess.
Seven straight missed playoffs and now suddenly “momentum”?? Sounds like PR talk to me. Also Celebrini already got silver at the Olympics, so of course they’re hyped.
idk man I saw somewhere Lin is from Vancouver so maybe he brings the whole style over lol. If Will Smith, Misa, and Stenberg are all top picks then they’ll be unstoppable right? Like I’m sure the defense will fix itself just because they’re young.
“Something really good going on” is exactly what coaches say right before they blow it the next season. I can’t even keep track—was this the year they were finally near the playoffs and then got weirdly injured? Also the article jumped off at the end so now I’m just assuming they made it.