NHL EDGE stats 2026-27 season outlook for San Jose Sharks

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, we will identify key NHL EDGE stats for each team to preview the 2026-27 season. Today, we look at three advanced metrics trends surrounding the San Jose Sharks:

1. Celebrini's mid-range prowess, elite shot, skating metrics

Macklin Celebrini was an NHL EDGE stats standout in his second season, leading the League in mid-range goals (25) and mid-range shots on goal (159). The 20-year-old, who was tied for second in the NHL in mid-range shots on goal (119) as a rookie in 2024-25, ranked seventh among forwards in hardest shot (97.89 mph) last season and led his position in 70-80 mph shot attempts (150). He also ranked high among forwards in 80-90 mph shot attempts (81; seventh), 90-100 mph shot attempts (six; 97th percentile) and average shot speed (62.26 mph; 95th percentile).

Celebrini, who led the NHL in wrist shot goals (27) and was tied for 11th among forwards in slap shot goals (five) last season, ranked high at his position in long-range goals (three; tied for 10th), long-range shots on goal (28; 96th percentile), high-danger goals (13; 83rd percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (59; 83rd percentile).

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft ranked eighth in the League and second among forwards last season in skating distance at all strengths (293.72 miles) and was third in the League in total miles skated on the power play (47.80). Celebrini, who was tied for 10th in power-play points (33) last season, also ranked highly at his position in 18-20 mph speed bursts (872; fifth) and 20-plus mph speed bursts (186; 93rd percentile). Celebrini is a strong candidate to win the Hart Trophy and Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy this season.

2. Shots, goals from all locations

The Sharks ranked among the League leaders in both high-danger goals (132; ninth) and mid-range goals (84; tied for 10th) last season and had contributions throughout their lineup. Collin Graf, who set NHL career highs in goals (21) and points (46) in 81 games last season, ranked highly among forwards in high-danger goals (15; 90th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (70; 91st percentile).

Will Smith, who also set NHL career highs in goals (24) and points (59) last season, finished among the leaders at his position in mid-range shots on goal (89; 97th percentile) and mid-range goals (nine; 89th percentile), despite missing 13 games. Like his frequent linemate Celebrini, Smith ranked highly among forwards in total miles skated on the power play (33.09; 91st percentile) and hardest shot (90.26 mph; 84th percentile) last season.

Kiefer Sherwood, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 19, only had six goals in 28 games with San Jose last season (compared to 17 goals in 44 games with Vancouver), but ranked among the Sharks' forward leaders in several shooting metrics, including hardest shot (95.79 mph; 98th percentile), 90-100 mph shot attempts (seven; 98th percentile) and average shot speed (58.94; 88th percentile). Sherwood, who leads the NHL in hits (1,138) over the past four seasons, also finished highly at his position in long-range shots on goal (31; 97th percentile), high-danger goals (15; 90th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (59; 83rd percentile) and mid-range shots on goal (46; 80th percentile).

Veteran forward Tyler Toffoli tied for third at his position in long-range goals (four) last season and finished among the forward leaders in long-range shots on goal (24; 94th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (69; 90th percentile) and mid-range shots on goal (47; 81st percentile). The nine-time 20-goal scorer had 19 goals in 2025-26 and has 49 in two seasons with the Sharks.

3. Trouba, Nurse, Kesselring additions

San Jose revamped its defense this offseason, adding Jacob Trouba, Darnell Nurse and Michael Kesselring. Trouba, who has 358 points (84 goals, 274 assists) in 906 regular-season games and has played 85 Stanley Cup Playoff games, ranked fifth in the League in long-range shots on goal (107) last season. The 32-year-old also ranked highly at his position in long-range goals (four; 90th percentile), high-danger shots on goal (10; 87th percentile) and high-danger goals (two; 83rd percentile). Trouba, who leads the NHL in blocked shots (1,943) and ranks eighth among defensemen in hits (1,846) since his rookie season in 2013-14 with the Winnipeg Jets, also finished highly at his position in 80-90 mph shot attempts (66; 94th percentile), 90-100 mph shot attempts (12; 90th percentile) and hardest shot (96.47 mph; 85th percentile) last season.

Nurse, who the Sharks acquired from the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, has 342 points (88 goals, 236 assists) in 798 regular-season games and has played 100 postseason games. He ranked highly among defensemen in long-range shots on goal (77; 93rd percentile), mid-range shots on goal (29; 88th percentile) and high-danger shots on goal (eight; 81st percentile) last season. The 31-year-old also finished high at his position in max skating speed (23.20 mph; 96th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (101; 95th percentile) and 22-plus mph bursts (six; 96th percentile).

Kesselring was limited to 34 games with the Buffalo Sabres last season due to injury, but it's worth noting he ranked third in the NHL and second among defensemen in hardest shot (103.77 mph) in 2024-25 while playing for Utah. Kesselring played all 82 games that season and ranked highly at his position in 90-100 mph shot attempts (23; 96th percentile), 80-90 mph shot attempts (68; 94th percentile), 70-80 mph shot attempts (98; 90th percentile), mid-range shots on goal (40; 96th percentile) and mid-range goals (four; 90th percentile).

The Sharks ranked 30th in goals allowed per game (3.54) and were tied for 27th in shots allowed per game (29.6) last season. They also ranked 27th in goals by defensemen (29) and 28th in points by defensemen (141). Trouba, Nurse and Kesselring bring plenty of experience to a young team looking to end a seven-year playoff drought.