BREAKING: Sharks Trade Up To 21, Draft Ryan Lin

BUFFALO — The San Jose Sharks made a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers for the 21st overall pick and selected defenseman Ryan Lin.

The Sharks traded the 27th, 62nd, and 120th overall picks in the 2026 NHL Draft to move up six spots.

Lin spent the 25-26 season in the WHL with the Vancouver Giants. He was the alternate captain and averaged more than a point a game. In 53 games, Lin scored 14 goals and 43 assists. The defenseman is expected to play for the University of Denver in the NCAA.

“Defensively, Lin already looks like an NHL defender. Combining high-end mobility, stick work, and physicality, he makes the tricky stops look routine. He defends the middle with intent, using every defensive skill possible to push opponents to the perimeter, where he then darts into a physical breakup,” Elite Prospects 2026 draft report says.

San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier was aggressive in his picks for the first round. After lucking out in the draft lottery, Grier didn’t hesitate to get more top-flight picks. If the Sharks don’t make any more trades in the first round, they walk away as one of the winners of the night.

Ivar Stenberg – 2nd overall
Keaton Verhoeff – 9th overall
Lin – 21st overall

Lin will meet with reporters shortly.