The San Jose Sharks wrapped up their NHL draft with a flurry of intriguing selections, showcasing a blend of legacy, size, and potential. On the final day of the draft, the Sharks made three notable picks that could shape the future of their roster.
First up was Brady Knowling, a promising goalie from the U.S. National Development Team, snagged at 127th overall in the fourth round.
Knowling's journey continues next season with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL, and he's already committed to Boston University for the 2027-28 season. His record with the U.S.
National U18 Team-15 wins, 12 losses, and a .880 save percentage-along with a brief appearance at the under-20 World Junior Championships, highlights his potential between the pipes.
Next in line was Jake Gustafson, a center picked 174th overall in the sixth round. Gustafson brings a notable family connection to the Sharks, being the son of Jon Gustafson, the senior vice president of SAP Center & Sharks Ice.
The younger Gustafson tallied 25 points over 68 games with the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL. His commitment to Colorado College for the 2027-28 season echoes his father's collegiate journey, adding a sentimental layer to his promising career path.
The Sharks' final pick of the draft was perhaps their most eye-catching-literally. At 201st overall, they selected Alexander Karmanov, a defenseman from the North Bay Battalion, who stands an astonishing 7 feet tall and weighs in at 265 pounds.
Karmanov is now the tallest player ever drafted into the NHL. Should he make it to the big league, he would set a new record as the tallest player in NHL history.
While his stats from North Bay-two points in 20 games-might not jump off the page, his sheer size and potential make him a fascinating prospect to watch.
The Sharks' draft strategy also included a trade maneuver on Friday, where they exchanged their 27th, 62nd, and 120th overall picks with the Philadelphia Flyers. This move allowed them to secure defenseman Ryan Lin from the WHL's Vancouver Giants at No. 21, adding another layer of defensive depth to their roster.
With these selections, the Sharks are not just looking to fill spots on their roster but are aiming to build a team with a mix of legacy, size, and skill that could pay dividends in the seasons to come.
In Other News...
Sharks Fans Are About To Have Feelings Over Brent Burns New Deal
Brent Burns is heading into another season with a familiar kind of spotlight, the sort that follows a player whose next move still resonates in San Jose. The long-time Sharks defenseman has carved out a career that made him one of the most recognizable figures of his era, and any time he lands a fresh contract, it tends to hit a nerve with fans who watched him become a franchise centerpiece.
His latest deal is built around a modest base salary with performance bonuses tied to games played and average ice time, a structure that suggests both flexibility and one more chance to stay in the lineup and contribute. Burns also enters the year chasing the one prize that has eluded him, and for Sharks fans, that familiar pursuit is exactly why this update is going to stir up a few feelings. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Just Made A Telling Decision About Their Blue Line
San Joses blue line is already starting to take shape, and Michael Kesselring is now part of the long-term plan. The Sharks locked up the restricted free agent defenseman on a three-year contract after acquiring him from Buffalo on June 17, a move that brought another young, NHL-tested piece into a defense group that has been in flux all offseason.
The timing matters because the Sharks do not have much certainty behind him. Kesselring, Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson are the only defensemen with notable NHL experience currently signed for next season, while Shakir Mukhamadullin remains unsigned and several others are headed toward free agency or still in contract discussions. For a team still sorting out what its back end should look like, this was a pretty clear signal about which players it wants to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Former Shark Alexander Barabanov Reportedly Has A New Overseas Landing Spot
Alexander Barabanovs next stop overseas appears to be taking shape after his return to the Kontinental Hockey League following his time with the Sharks. After leaving San Jose, the winger signed a two-year deal with Ak Bars Kazan and settled back into familiar KHL territory, giving that club a veteran scorer who could still tilt a lineup with his pace and finishing touch.
Now, after 131 games in Kazan and another productive run in Russia, Barabanov is reportedly on track for a new chapter with a club trying to climb a little higher in the standings. The deal is said to carry a hefty salary and is tied to a future season, a sign that his market remains strong even as Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg continues adding pieces in hopes of finally making a deeper playoff push. [Read more 🡒]