Max Miller
The San Jose Sharks’ 26-27 season is inching closer, and as projected lineups come out, so do the fantasy sports players.
While Macklin Celebrini is a top-five pick in fantasy hockey this season, the Sharks will have many more relevant players available. Here are some players SHD ranked into tier levels for the best options.
Tier 1 – The next best options
Will Smith – Yahoo Rank No. 59 – Average Draft Position (ADP) 63 – LW-RW Eligibility
The obvious next best player for the San Jose Sharks is Will Smith. He’ll likely finish as the team’s second-leading scorer, and he’ll be on Celebrini’s line. Although the winger missed time with a shoulder injury in 24-25, Smith still scored 24 goals in 69 games.
Smith’s goalscoring prowess might be going under the radar, but it shouldn’t from fantasy realms. A full, healthy season could mean 80-90 points and a chance at 35 goals. The 2023 NHL Draft 4th overall pick put 166 shots on net last season and accrued 17 power-play points. Expect those numbers to rise in year three of his career. Not to mention, Smith has extra motivation if he goes into the season without an extension.
Ivar Stenberg – Yahoo Rank No. 139 – ADP 140.5 – LW
Putting Ivar Stenberg, the San Jose Sharks No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, in the top tier is a risk, but could pay off for fantasy owners.
Stenberg could start on the top line with Smith and Celebrini, but he could start further down the lineup. Where he starts might not matter, because he should finish the season as one of the top options for head coach Ryan Warsofsky.
Expect a bit of a slow start from the winger, but around the All-Star break in February could be a big turning point for the rookie. By then, Stenberg should be fully adjusted to the NHL and what it takes to be successful. Depending on his season and the power play’s success, Stenberg should see PP1 time and be a top producer in the playoff push.
Tier 2 – Solid base, with potential to be a league-winning move
Mason Marchment – Yahoo Rank No. 158 – ADP 141.7 – LW
Similar to Stenberg, Mason Marchment could find himself in a spot next to Celebrini and Smith right away. SHD expects Marchment to be a utility player for coach Warsofsky. The big winger could be the skillful sparkplug that completes any line at any moment.
Marchment got off to an awful start after being traded to the Seattle Kraken before the 25-26 season. He was eventually traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his scoring quickly heated up. After just 13 points in 29 games with SEA, Marchment had 32 points in 39 games with CBJ. Expect the Sharks to play Marchment on the power play and get late-game scenarios regularly.
Health has always been an issue for Marchment. The 31-year-old has reached 70+ games once in his career. In 23-24, the new Sharks forward played 81 games for the Dallas Stars.
Marchment is a big body and will give fantasy players some help in the hits category, but might leave you wanting a little more. With his frame and Warsofsky’s style of play, Marchment could surpass his 25-26 hit total of 84.
Igor Chernyshov – Yahoo Rank No. 193 – ADP NA – LW-RW
San Jose Sharks fans know about the potential of Igor Chernyshov, but the rest of the fantasy hockey world might be late to the party. Chernyshov had 19 points in 29 games last season and is another option to start with the top line.
Chernyshov’s upside is arguably the highest, but drafting him carries risk. His limited NHL experience could lead to an extended cold spell at some point. While the Sharks expect the winger to be a solid producer, he might not be the most consistent offensive threat to lock in as a lineup staple right away. He has the tools to be a true steal in any fantasy draft. But even if he doesn’t score 70 points, he should be a solid depth player on any team.
Warsofsky has many new toys to play with offensively, and Chernyshov will get a lot of chances to prove his hot start wasn’t a fluke. SHD doesn’t expect Chernyshov to get PP1 minutes right away or even be the first option to be put on the top unit if it starts slow.
Chernyshov averaged 15:03 TOI per game last season, and should be around a similar number in 26-27.
Tier 3 – Low Floor But High Ceiling
Michael Misa – Yahoo Rank No. 175 – ADP 139.1 – C
Fantasy hockey players are high on Michael Misa in his second season. A late-season spark and the fact that he was the second overall pick in 2025 have pushed his ADP higher than his rank. While both are valid reasons, there are some underlying concerns from a fantasy standpoint.
Misa had points in each of the Sharks’ last four games and could start the season as the 2C in the lineup. Warsofsky remains high on the player, but the trusty steed of Alexander Wennberg could dig into Misa’s minutes. That could also hurt his chances of being on PP1, as well as Stenberg.
Misa’s speed, skill, and calm confidence will translate to offense at some point in his NHL career; the question is when. Misa’s breakout could be right away, or it could happen when Stenberg does as his winger. A year under his belt will do wonders for a player who needed some extra seasoning.
Training camp line combinations will be a big tell to what kind of 5-on-5 role Misa plays next season.
Collin Graf – Yahoo Rank No. 233 – ADP NA – LW-RW
Collin Graf will be last in this tier. Like Marchment, Graf will be a utility player for coach Warsofsky. Graf has the highest chance of leading the team in shorthanded points. Graf will be the top penalty killer for the San Jose Sharks this season.
Graf has shown great chemistry with Celebrini and Smith, and although SHD believes he could get the first crack with them this season, he is unlikely to stick there for most of the season.
After a stellar 21-goal, 46-point season, the Sharks re-signed the winger to a three-year contract. Graf will be a solid player in the NHL for a long time, but he might not be the best fantasy option. He has the tools to be a 30-goal scorer and put up 60+ points, but the opportunity to do so may not come easily for him.
Tier 4 and beyond – Boom or Bust / Hot Streak FA/Waiver Adds
Kiefer Sherwood – Yahoo Rank No. 222 – ADP 143.4 – LW-RW: Could be a great hits and goals option, but depends on league scoring rules to be a lineup lock.
Alexander Wennberg – Yahoo Rank No. 530 – C – Has his moments, and can be a solid waiver pickup depending on fantasy lineup injuries.
Tyler Toffoli – Yahoo Rank No. 257 – LW-RW – Was last season a fluke or the start of the decline?
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