San Jose faces a critical choice between blue-line stability and elite offensive depth, as analysts predict a surprising shift toward the high-scoring forward at number two.
The 2026 NHL Draft is just days away, and aside from the first overall pick, it seems like everything else is up in the air.
After the Toronto Maple Leafs select first, it moves to the San Jose Sharks, who on paper need to take a defenseman. However, in a recent mock draft from NHL.com after all the recent trades in the NHL, have the Sharks taking forward Ivar Stenberg.
And while this does make sense, he may be the best player available. Sharks' GM Mike Grier has hinted that he may very well take a right-handed defensemen.
But scouts and draft analysts still have a feeling that it could be Stenberg, which would make the Sharks very, very deep down the middle.
Here's what Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale of NHL.com had to say about Stenberg being picked at No. 2.
The Sharks opened a significant spot in their top-six forward group by trading Eklund, and Stenberg (5-11, 190) could be the ideal candidate to fill it. The 18-year-old had 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games in the Swedish Hockey League and really stood out playing for Sweden at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he played on the top line, had eight points (four goals, four assists) in eight games, and was voted one of the team's three best players. Stenberg projects to be a dynamic play-driving force who could step right into an NHL lineup and make an impact next season."
"It feels like Stenberg is the choice after the Eklund trade. Stenberg is just too good to pass up, and he could be NHL-ready after tearing up the Swedish Hockey League; he had the most points by a player 18 and under in the SHL since Daniel Sedin (42 points) and Henrik Sedin (34 points) in 1998-99. He certainly addresses any need for a high-end complementary wing with a maturity beyond his years, capable of matching Macklin Celebrini's pace and high-end skill. Stenberg has excelled at every level, proving he belongs among the elite prospects in this class."
Could it be as easy as Morreale laid it out? Stenberg could replace Eklund within the Sharks' top six, and that would leave them with drafting a defensemen with the No. 9 pick.
As I mentioned off the top, everything seems to be up in the air as we head into the 2026 NHL Draft. If Stenberg is taken, the Sharks may be assembling one of the best home-grown teams and will be lethal upfront.
Only time will tell, but one thing is true: there is going to be no shortage of drama over the next 48 hours.
