Projecting Sharks 2026-27 Opening Night Lineup

Is the 2026-27 season the year the San Jose Sharks finally get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs? With this lineup, they’ve got a good chance.

A strong 2026 NHL Draft and a very active first day of free agency kept Sharks GM Mike Grier busy. The man in charge of the rebuild believes this season will be the year his team takes a large leap forward.

In what is becoming an annual tradition at SHD, I will create what I believe are three options for the opening night lineup.

Lineup 1: Add in the new guys, but stick with some good chemistry

Collin Graf — Macklin Celebrini — Will Smith
Igor Chernyshov — Michael Misa — Mason Marchment
Ivar Stenberg — Alexander Wennberg — Kiefer Sherwood
Tyler Toffoli — Zack Ostapchuk — Ty Dellandrea

Sam Dickinson — Jacob Trouba
Darnell Nurse — Dmitry Orlov
Luca Cagnoni — Michael Kesselring

Yaroslav Askarov
Alex Nedeljkovic

The biggest part of this lineup is Collin Graf’s spot with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. I believe either Igor Chernyshov or Ivar Stenberg will eventually occupy the Sharks’ LW1 spot during the season. But Gtaf’s chemistry with the top stars is undeniable.

Per NaturalStatTrick, the analytical numbers don’t jump off the page for the trio of Graf, Celebrini, and Smith. Average just below 50% of xGF (expected goals for), the line didn’t blow anyone out of the water. All the line did was score and stop high-danger chances.

Although the San Jose Sharks had 54 HD chances for and 55 HD chances against, the line outscored their opponents 6-1 in high-danger chances. The only other situation in which at least two of these three outscored their opponents in high-danger areas was when Celebrini and Graf were on the ice without Smith. That duo outscored their opponents 6-2 from great danger areas and significantly created more high-danger chances than against (36 to 25).

For the rest of the lineup, Chernyshov and Michael Misa can try to recreate their chemistry at the NHL level. Misa showed a ton of promise at the end of the season. Mason Marchment is a veteran who knows how to make things happen, making him a perfect option with that line.

Stenberg and Alexander Wennberg on the same line makes sense. Wennberg is projected to be a mentor for the No. 2 overall pick, and a third-line matchup to start his NHL career will allow him to succeed earlier. Kiefer Sherwood will forecheck as his life depends on it, making him a nice option.

The fourth line might be tough. Tyler Toffoli isn’t really a 4th-liner, but he might have to be. Ty Dellandrea could be swapped out for Barclay Goodrow or Adam Gaudette. There will be a major competition for one spot on the fourth line. Zack Ostapchuk has established himself as the 4C, especially following his extension.

One thing that will be consistent is the defense across most of these lineups. Although whoever fills the San Jose Sharks’ No. 6 spot isn’t assured of anything, Luca Cagnoni’s ability to run a power play gives him a leg up. The other options include Eric Pohlkamp or Nolan Allan, who was solid upon arrival.

Lineup 2: Let the Sharks kids run wild & push for goals

Igor Chernyshov — Macklin Celebrini — Will Smith
Ivar Stenberg — Michael Misa — Collin Graf
Mason Marchment — Alexander Wennberg — Kiefer Sherwood
Tyler Toffoli — Zack Ostapchuk — Adam Gaudette

Push for offense. This configuration projects to be the San Jose Sharks’ most lethal lineup. Celebrini, Smith, and Chernyshov could find their early chemistry again and overwhelm opposing teams. Celebrini will set the tone for every line, and if this line is slowed, then a dynamic second line comes right over the boards.

Stenberg played against men in Sweden, so he might not have as much of an adjustment period. Michael Misa’s speed will create openings for Stenberg to carry the puck into space, while Graf remains a lethal shooting option, combined with a defensive mindset.

The third line becomes a responsible, heavy, and reasonably quick-checking line. Marchment slows that line down with his foot speed, but he’ll keep the puck moving. Sherwood will hit everything while Wennberg creates chaos in the crease.

The fourth line of Toffoli, Ostapchuk, and Gaudette is the most offensive-minded 4th line the Sharks could have, maybe ever. Ostapchuk can fly, play good defense, and feed two guys who know how to put the puck in the net.

I won’t list the defense for this one because I don’t think there will be many combinations beyond the No. 6 spot mentioned above.

Lineup 3: Balance & Defense first

Collin Graf — Macklin Celebrini — Mason Marchment
Igor Chernyshov — Michael Misa — Will Smith
Ivar Stenberg — Alexander Wennberg — Tyler Toffoli
Barclay Goodrow — Zack Ostapchuk — Kiefer Sherwood

This lineup won’t appear very likely, but it is entirely possible. Although splitting Smith and Celebrini hasn’t really worked in the past, the balanced lineup shows the San Jose Sharks’ depth. Toffoli had a tough 25-26 season, but a lesser role this year could help him find his jump.

Sherwood, with Goodrow and Ostapchuk, brings a bite to a responsible 4th-line that can contribute every once in a while. Misa on the second line with Smith could work, given Misa’s shoot-first mentality during odd-man rushes. Chernyshov and Graf could swap places, but given the numbers from Lineup 1, why not see what Graf and Celebrini can do?

There is one constant throughout all three lineups. The Sharks have center depth. Misa needs to take a step and play like a 2C, but if not, Wennberg can do it.

Yaroslav Askarov will be the Sharks’ 1A, and Alex Nedeljkovic the 1B.

The 26-27 season can’t come soon enough, as on paper, this Sharks team is dangerous and a lot of fun.