NHL EDGE stats: Stenberg’s early impact with Sharks

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we look at three advanced stats storylines surrounding Ivar Stenberg’s early impact with the San Jose Sharks.

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Ivar Stenberg, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft by the San Jose Sharks, has had an excellent start to his rookie season with nine points (three goals, six assists) in his first 12 games backed by some impressive advanced stats.

Stenberg, who has seven points and six power-play points in his past seven games, is tied for second on the Sharks in points behind Macklin Celebrini (15 in 10 games) and is tied for the rookie lead in both points and assists (six). Two of the biggest moments of Stenberg's season so far are when he scored his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 13 and also when he assisted on Celebrini's power-play goal in overtime to help the Sharks to a comeback win at the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 20.

San Jose, which has a promising young forward core with recent top picks in Celebrini (No. 1 pick in 2024 NHL Draft), Stenberg, Will Smith (No. 4 pick in 2023 NHL Draft) and Michael Misa (No. 2 pick in 2025 NHL Draft), is off to a 6-5-1 start and looks to contend for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the Pacific Division. Stenberg, who has been playing on the first power play, is expected to play on the first line with Celebrini and Smith when the Sharks host the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, SN360).

Here are three EDGE stats storylines behind Stenberg’s productive start to his NHL career:

1. Power-play offensive zone time

Stenberg ranks in the 84th percentile among NHL forwards in power-play offensive zone time percentage (62.2), and it has translated to some of the best power-play production in the entire League. Stenberg leads NHL rookies in power-play points (seven; tied for 10th in entire League) and is tied for first in power-play goals (two) and is seeing plenty of time with the man-advantage (3:10 per game), mostly on the first unit with Celebrini and Smith.

NHL EDGE IQ insights: Of Stenberg's 26 inferenced shot attempts this season, 16 have come on offensive zone plays (at least five seconds after puck crosses offensive blue line), including six of his eight scoring chances (shot attempts of at least 5.0 percent Projected Goal Rate).

The addition of Stenberg has helped San Jose rank sixth in power-play percentage (26.2) through 12 games, an improvement compared to last season (21.2; 16th). Stenberg has also showcased his playmaking ability early on in the season; he leads NHL rookies in primary assists (six; accounting for all of his assists).

2. Shot versatility

Two of Stenberg’s three goals this season have come from high-danger zones (86th percentile among forwards) on the power play. Ten of Stenberg’s 18 shots on goal have been from mid-range zones (89th percentile) and his most recent goal was a mid-range goal. All three of his goals this season have been wrist shot goals and 11 of his shots on goal have been wrist shots (tied for fifth among Sharks forwards), showing the 19-year-old could have some range and add to San Jose’s strong perimeter offense.

The Sharks are third in the NHL in average shot speed (62.21 mph) this season, rank tied for third in mid-range shots on goal (112) and are tied for fifth in long-range shots on goal (76). Last season, Celebrini led the entire NHL in both mid-range goals (25) and mid-range shots on goal (159). Stenberg has played mostly in the middle six as a rookie, with his most-frequent linemates being Misa and power forward Kiefer Sherwood, before his recent promotion to the first line with Celebrini and Smith.

3. Skating speed

The Sharks, as a team, are tied for sixth in 22-plus mph speed bursts (16) this season, and Stenberg is showcasing more of his speed in recent games as his comfort level grows at the NHL level.

Each of Stenberg’s five fastest speed bursts this season have come over his past eight games (since Oct. 10), including his fastest max skating speed (21.65 mph; just below the NHL average among forwards). Stenberg is above the NHL average among forwards in 18-20 mph speed bursts (69). Misa, Stenberg’s frequent linemate, has strong marks in skating speed categories like 22-plus mph bursts (three; 92nd percentile), max skating speed (22.55 mph; 83rd percentile) and 18-20 mph bursts (115; 95th percentile).