The San Jose Sharks’ newest draft pick doesn’t just stand out - Alexander Karmanov practically changes the geometry of the rink.
At 7-foot-1, Karmanov is so big that calling him “tall” barely covers it. If he reaches the NHL, he would be the tallest player in league history by a wide margin.
San Jose took Karmanov late in the 2026 NHL Draft, though there’s no certainty he ever gets to the league. He still has plenty of developing to do, and he’s committed to Penn State.
For now, the Sharks have him at development camp, where the first look is every bit as striking as expected. One post from the ice summed it up simply: “Alexander Karmanov who is 7’1 is on the ice. He’s towering over the other skaters.”
That size comes with some intrigue beyond the obvious. Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote, “There has literally never been a bigger player to play high-level ice hockey," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis writes.
"Listed as 7-foot-1 and 280 pounds by NHL Central Scouting, Karmanov is an absolute beast of a human being. Born in Chisinau, Moldova, Karmanov hopes to become the first countryman to be selected to the NHL and, hopefully, the first to play as well.
Karmanov showed some promise in the GOJHL with the Brantford Titans, scoring three goals and totaling seven points, along with 68 penalty minutes, in 15 games. He got outmatched a bit more frequently with North Bay in the OHL, but it was hilarious watching smaller players go up to him and completely freak out.
He also showed a lot more promise with the puck near the end of the season, too."
That’s the puzzle with Karmanov: the height is undeniable, and the rest is still a work in progress. The Sharks - and whoever works with him next - will have to build the hockey around the frame.
In Other News...
Sharks Add Forward Who Could Reignite A Familiar Fan Debate
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For Sharks fans, the name alone may bring back a familiar debate about whether a player with real skill can finally turn AHL success into a lasting NHL role. Barre-Boulet has already gotten a taste of the league with 68 NHL games on his resume, but the next step in San Jose will be proving he can hold that pace at the top level. The contract details have not yet been disclosed, leaving a little uncertainty around how the team plans to fit him in. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Just Lost A Familiar Blue Line Leader To Free Agency
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His game was never built around flash, but around defending, blocking shots and playing through the hardest shifts San Jose could throw at him. That made him a useful piece in plenty of ways and a difficult one to fully grade in the bigger picture, especially given the kind of situations he was asked to absorb. Now the Sharks have to sort out what they lose in reliability, leadership and edge on the back end, even as the full impact of his departure settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Sharks Quietly Addressed One Lingering Depth Concern After July 1
The Sharks used the early part of July to shore up a part of the organization that can quietly make a big difference over the course of a season, adding four players who are expected to spend most of their time with the AHLs San Jose Barracuda. Forward Alex Barre-Boulet, along with Tye Felhaber and Brett Leason, plus goaltender Kyle Keyser, give the Sharks a deeper collection of experienced options in the system, the kind of moves that can help a minor league team stay competitive while also giving the NHL roster some insurance.
Barre-Boulet is the headliner among the group, bringing a two-year deal and a track record that suggests he can be more than just organizational depth. Leason also stands out as a forward with recent NHL experience, while Keyser adds another goaltending option behind the Barracudas projected starter. For a Sharks team still building out its pipeline, these are the kinds of under-the-radar additions that can matter when injuries hit or call-ups start to thin out the upper levels. [Read more 🡒]