The San Jose Sharks should be looking to take the best player available with both their picks in the first round. Pick 20 brings them a lot of options and opportunities to grab great value. The 20th pick should be looked at as a player who the team can project as a bottom-six forward or bottom-pair defenceman. Ilia Morozov would fit as a future third-line center who can play a shutdown type game, as well as skill things up from time to time. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROSPECT INFO Name: Ilia Morozov 2025-26 Team: University of Miami (Ohio) Date of Birth: Aug. 03, 2008 Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 201 Position: Center (Left-Handed) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STATISTICS Games Played - 36 Goals - 8 Assists - 12 Points - 20 Shots - 69 Shooting Percentage - 11.6% Plus/Minus - +2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RANKINGS: NHL Central Scouting (North America): 10th The Hockey News - Tony Ferrari: 28th The Hockey News - Ryan Kennedy: 26th Elite Prospects: 20th Sportsnet - Sam Cosentino: 18th Sportsnet - Jason Bukula: 21st Smaht Scouting: 30th DobberProspects: 22nd -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT EXPERTS ARE SAYING: “Morozov's production slowed down in the second half of the season, but Miami heavily relied on him in all situations. He excelled in the role as a freshman. Morozov isn't going to knock your socks off. He'll chain together small events that lead to positive results. He's a depth center at the next level with some really solid versatility and reliability.” - Tony Ferrari [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-ferraris-top-75-before-the-world-u-18s-keeps-stenberg-over-mckenna] "At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, he’s a big center who commands respect. He put up solid numbers on a team that didn’t have a ton of big-time firepower to work with. I also like his confidence and the way he’s always looking to make a pass, even through traffic." - Steven Ellis [https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-rankings-april-steven-ellis-gavin-mckenna-ivar-stenberg-u-18-world-championship] "He's a natural catch-and-release shooter off the rush as well and plays in and out of space well. Morozov's stride is a little upright, but he moves well enough for his size, is a willing forechecker, and sees the ice well both offensively and to anticipate defensively." - Scott Wheeler [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7105520/2026/03/17/2026-nhl-draft-ranking-gavin-mckenna-ivar-stenberg-prospects/?source=emp_shared_article] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sharks shouldn’t be looking to wow anyone with this pick. In this scenario, they get a high-character bottom-six forward who can kill penalties. What else can you ask for?
