If you’ve been tuning into the New York Rangers lately, you know it hasn’t exactly been appointment viewing. But last night’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks? That had a little extra juice - and not because the Rangers suddenly found a spark.
Let’s talk Sharks. This team might still be in a rebuild, but they’re not playing like a group content to sit back and wait.
They’re young, they’re aggressive, and they’ve got one of the most electrifying prospects in the league in Macklin Celebrini. The 18-year-old center is already putting up numbers that pop off the page - 74 points on the season, which puts him a staggering 40 points ahead of the next-best Shark.
That next-best? Alexander Wennberg, a familiar face for Rangers fans, tied with Tyler Toffoli at 34 points.
Celebrini isn’t just leading the Sharks in scoring - he’s giving them a real identity. He plays with pace, vision, and a confidence that’s rare for someone his age. The Sharks are clearly building around him, and it’s starting to show in how they’re approaching the rest of the season.
Case in point: their recent acquisition of Kiefer Sherwood. While Sherwood may not be a headline-grabber, his addition signals that San Jose is ready to start surrounding their young core with capable, NHL-ready talent.
And for the Rangers, who are staring down a potential roster shakeup of their own, Sherwood landing in San Jose might’ve been a bit of a blessing in disguise. Not because he’s not a serviceable player - he is - but because the Rangers, looking at a looming retool, had no business targeting a 28-year-old winger when their timeline clearly points toward youth and flexibility.
That’s where things get interesting. With the Rangers potentially heading toward another sell-off - call it "The Letter 2.0" if you want - San Jose could be a natural trade partner.
They’re a team on the rise, with cap space, a clear direction, and an appetite for talent. Names like Artemi Panarin and Braden Schneider have already been loosely linked to the Sharks, and while nothing’s imminent, the fit makes sense.
Panarin would bring elite offensive firepower to a team that could use another top-tier weapon alongside Celebrini. Schneider, meanwhile, would add young, mobile toughness to a blue line that’s still finding its shape.
And then there’s the wild card: Michael Misa. The 18-year-old center and 2025 second overall pick isn’t currently in the mix, but there’s been plenty of chatter about a potential move that could bring him to New York.
It’s speculative, sure, but the idea of Misa in a Rangers sweater has been floated by more than a few voices around the league. He’s a dynamic, playmaking pivot with top-line upside - the kind of player who could be a franchise cornerstone if developed properly.
For now, though, the Sharks are the story. They’re young, they’re fun, and they’re finally playing like a team with a plan. And if the Rangers are serious about reshaping their roster, don’t be surprised if these two clubs find themselves doing business before the trade deadline.
Because while the Rangers might be heading into a transitional phase, the Sharks? They’re not waiting around anymore.