Top prospects for San Jose Sharks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the top five prospects for the San Jose Sharks, according to NHL.com.

1. Ivar Stenberg, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 2 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Frolunda HC (Sweden) 43 GP, 11-22-33

There was some debate whether Stenberg should be the top pick of the 2026 draft based on his play in the Swedish Hockey League and the Sweden national team at both the World Junior and World Championship.

The 18-year-old had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games at the 2026 WJC and eight points (four goals, four assists) in eight games at the 2026 World Championship. Stenberg (5-foot-11, 183 pounds) signed a three-year, entry-level contract with San Jose on July 3, and will play in North America this season.

"I think the one advantage that he has over other kids that have been taken high in the draft is that he has played a full season against men," Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse said. "He's certainly at an advantage, he played in the men's World Championship. He's always played up and so I think we feel that's going to give him an advantage coming into camp that maybe other 18-year-olds wouldn't have."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Keaton Verhoeff, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 9 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: University of North Dakota (NCAA) 36 GP, 6-14-20

Verhoeff (6-4, 208) played his freshman year at North Dakota as a 17-year-old and will be returning to the NCAA this season. He had 45 points (21 goals, 24 assists) in 63 games with Victoria of the Western Hockey League as a 16-year-old in 2024-25.

He played for Canada at the 2026 WJC and had four assists in five games and is expected to develop into a top-pair defenseman, and the Sharks are willing to be patient with him.

"There's no rush for him to get in, we're going to let him develop at North Dakota for another season," Morehouse said. "He made that brave decision to leave a really comfortable situation in Victoria to go to North Dakota. The familiarity of going back to a place where he's been before is only going to allow him to be more stable and set in his life, which is going to allow his hockey to continue to develop."

Projected NHL arrival: Next season

3. Ryan Lin, D

How acquired: Selected with No. 21 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Vancouver (WHL) 53 GP, 14-43-57 

Lin (5-11, 178 pounds) had two outstanding seasons with Vancouver in the WHL and will be attending the University of Denver this season.

The 18-year-old is a mobile, puck-moving defenseman who can skate out of trouble when required. Lin can also be effective in his own end winning puck battles in the corner and in front of his own net.

"He's so smart; he's such a smart, driven, intelligent kid," Morehouse said. "He's not a big kid, but he's also not small in the way he defends and his strength, and that not-going-to-be-denied attitude. He's just a really, really smart hockey player and to get someone like that and watching (general manager) Mike (Grier) move up and trade assets to be able to get him, it's just such a huge credit to him because we feel like we have a really special player and we're really lucky."

Projected NHL arrival: 2028-29

4. Igor Chernyshov, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 33 pick in 2024 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: San Jose (NHL) 28 GP, 9-10-19; San Jose (AHL), 41 GP, 13-20-33

The 20-year-old made his NHL debut against the Calgary Flames on Dec. 16 and was playing well with the Sharks until he sustained a concussion in a collision with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson on March 14. Chernyshov (6-2, 195) was injured 28 seconds into his first shift in the 4-2 win.

He returned 10 days later and played the final 12 games of the season. Chernyshov is a highly skilled forward, who had 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 23 games with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League in 2024-25.

"He's a special talent," Morehouse said. "When he got hurt, he was on a point-per-game pace in the NHL and he showed ability -- with his size, strength, skating and also with his touch with the puck -- that he was able to play with really good players. Anytime you get a profile like that, that you hope can potentially be in a top-six, top-nine environment, you're excited."

Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Joshua Ravensbergen, G

How acquired: Selected with No. 30 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

2025-26 season: Prince George (WHL), 46 GP; 32-13-0, 2.51 GAA, .919 save percentage

Ravensbergen (6-5, 195) was the first goalie in franchise history to be selected by San Jose in the first round of the NHL Draft. The 19-year-old will attend Michigan State University after playing the past three seasons with Prince George of the WHL.

He took over the starting job in Prince George as a 17-year-old and played two games for Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship.

"This kid is as athletic as they come," Morehouse said. "He's a dynamic athlete with incredible lateral moment. He's huge. I know (former NHL goalie) Ryan Miller (San Jose goalie scout and goaltending development) absolutely loves the kid and can't wait to get his hands on him. Going to Michigan State is going to be awesome for him where he can develop and grow into his frame."

Projected NHL arrival: 2028-29