The San Jose Sharks are building something intriguing - and it starts with a youth movement that’s quickly turning heads around the NHL. Macklin Celebrini is the face of the rebuild, but he’s not alone.
Will Smith, William Eklund, and soon Michael Misa are forming a forward group that’s fast, skilled, and fearless. It’s early, but the foundation is there for a team that could be a serious problem for the Western Conference in a few years.
But as promising as the Sharks’ offensive future looks, the blue line is still a work in progress. There are pieces - Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin among them - but they’re still developing, and the team doesn’t yet have that cornerstone defenseman who can anchor the back end and elevate the group into contender territory.
That’s why a recent conversation around the league is raising eyebrows.
On The Sheet with Jeff Marek, ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski floated an idea that’s bold, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility: what if the Sharks made a play for Roman Josi?
Now, let’s be clear - this isn’t a trade rumor with legs just yet. But it’s the kind of hypothetical that makes you stop and think.
Josi, 35, is still playing at a high level. Through 39 games this season, he’s put up 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists), continuing to show why he’s widely regarded as one of the premier defensemen in the game.
He’s in year six of an eight-year, $72.472 million deal he signed back in 2019, and while he’s not getting any younger, his game hasn’t shown many signs of decline.
The catch? Nashville’s trajectory.
The Predators have clawed their way back into the playoff picture this season, but nothing’s guaranteed. If they fall short again - and especially if they stumble early next season - the franchise could be forced to take a hard look at its long-term direction. That’s where things could get interesting.
Josi will be heading into the penultimate year of his contract in 2026-27 and would be eligible for an extension after that. It’s a similar setup to what we saw with Quinn Hughes before Vancouver decided to hit the reset button and move on from their star defenseman. If Nashville finds itself in a similar spot, the idea of moving Josi - while difficult - might not be off the table.
And if he does become available? San Jose is a team that makes a lot of sense.
General Manager Mike Grier has already shown he’s not afraid to be aggressive when the right opportunity presents itself. He’s got the draft capital, prospects, and young NHL-ready talent to make a compelling offer. And if you’re trying to fast-track a rebuild, there aren’t many better ways to do it than by adding a Norris Trophy winner who can instantly stabilize your defense and mentor your young core.
Josi joining a team with the kind of high-end forward talent San Jose is assembling would be a new chapter for him - and a potentially franchise-altering move for the Sharks. It’s not something that’s imminent, but it’s the kind of idea that could pick up steam if the Predators’ season doesn’t go according to plan.
For now, San Jose’s focus remains on development. But don’t be surprised if, somewhere down the line, they decide it’s time to take a big swing.
And if Roman Josi is on the board? That swing could be a home run.