On paper, the San Jose Sharks don’t look like a team that improved much in the last year. Since bottoming out in 2023-24, they added just one win and five points to those numbers in 2025, resulting in another last-place finish in the Pacific.

But that doesn’t mean things aren’t looking up for San Jose. Specifically, Macklin Celebrini is a legit superstar.

Celebrini was everything and more for the Sharks last season, leading the team with 63 points and setting the franchise record for most points by a rookie. If not for missing 12 games due to injuries, he might’ve beaten out Montreal’s Lane Hutson for the Calder Trophy. The Sharks may not have the richest history of major draft picks – no disrespect to Pat Falloon here – but it’s clear that Celebrini is a cut above the rest.

As far as the rest of the roster goes, Sharks GM Mike Grier is slowly assembling the nucleus of a good roster. William Eklund and Will Smith are leading the youth movement behind Celebrini, and soon they’ll be joined by recent second overall pick Michael Misa. In free agency, the Sharks brought in a barrage of veteran depth talent to fill out the bench; Jeff Skinner and John Klingberg signed one-year deals after reaching the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton, while Dmitry Orlov and former Canuck Adam Gaudette each accepted two-year deals to build off of.

The Canucks and Sharks met four times last season, and while Vancouver swept the season series 4-0, the scores were a lot closer than they’d probably care to admit. All four matchups were one-goal games, including two that the Canucks required OT to finish off. Those scores might be more indicative of how much the Canucks underperformed last season, but the Sharks are only going to be a stronger opponent in 2025-26.

The Canucks should still have the edge in nearly all categories, with the Sharks still years off from being in the playoff mix. But the one place San Jose can give the Canucks fits is with their youth and speed. Celebrini and Co. can play at a higher octane pace than Vancouver’s forward corps, and if their skill takes another step forward, that could make a difference in the playoff stretch.

November 28 @ SAP Center

December 27 @ Rogers Arena

January 27, 2026 @ Rogers Arena

April 11, 2026 @ SAP Center