San Jose Sharks Win No. 2 Pick in NHL Draft for Third Straight Year

Key facts

• San Jose Sharks won the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft lottery on Tuesday night.
• The Sharks had the ninth-best odds entering the lottery, the first team in NHL history to move up from that position.
• Toronto Maple Leafs won the first overall pick and are expected to select Gavin McKenna.
• Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg is projected to go second overall to the Sharks.
• The Sharks improved from 52 to 86 points this season, led by Macklin Celebrini's 45 goals and 115 points.
• San Jose also holds Edmonton's first-round pick in the 2026 draft.
• The draft will be held on June 26 in Buffalo, New York.

Lottery Leap: From Ninth to Second

The San Jose Sharks will pick second overall in the NHL Draft for the third consecutive year after a dramatic lottery draw on Tuesday night. The Sharks entered the evening with the ninth-best odds, but their combination of numbers 11, 4, 3, and 7 secured the second pick, marking the first time in NHL history that a team with the ninth-best odds moved up in the draft. The Toronto Maple Leafs won the first overall pick with numbers 7, 2, 11, and 12, and are expected to select Penn State winger Gavin McKenna. The Sharks were one number away from the top spot, needing a 3 in the final position to claim first overall.

A Historic Third Straight Top-Two Selection

San Jose's lottery win ensures the franchise will make a top-two pick for the third year running, after selecting Macklin Celebrini first overall in 2024 and Michael Misa second overall in 2025. The Sharks have now picked second overall four times in franchise history, including Pat Falloon (1991), Andrei Zyuzin (1996), and Patrick Marleau (1997). The team's improvement this season from 52 to 86 points was fueled by Celebrini's breakout campaign, in which he recorded 45 goals and 115 points, finishing fourth in NHL scoring. The Sharks now aim to add another elite talent to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

The Prospect in Focus: Ivar Stenberg

Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg has been widely projected as the second overall pick in recent mock drafts. Stenberg tallied 11 goals and 22 assists in 43 games for Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League this season, and he helped Sweden win gold at the world junior championship with four goals and six assists in seven games. Stenberg has been in a season-long battle with Gavin McKenna for the top prospect spot, but McKenna's expected selection by Toronto leaves Stenberg as the likely Sharks target. General Manager Mike Grier will have an abundance of options, however, as the draft order solidifies.

Draft Order and Additional Assets

The full first-round order after the lottery is: 1. Toronto Maple Leafs, 2. San Jose Sharks, 3. Vancouver Canucks, 4. Chicago Blackhawks, 5. New York Rangers, 6. Calgary Flames, 7. Seattle Kraken, 8. Winnipeg Jets, 9. Florida Panthers, 10. Nashville Predators, 11. St. Louis Blues, 12. New Jersey Devils, 13. New York Islanders, 14. Columbus Blue Jackets, 15. St. Louis Blues (via Detroit Red Wings), 16. Washington Capitals. In addition to their own pick, the Sharks hold Edmonton's first-round selection, giving them two picks in the opening round. This asset base provides Grier flexibility to either select a top prospect or explore trade opportunities.

Fan Engagement and Community Expansion

San Jose Hockey Now, a dedicated Sharks news outlet, launched a YouTube channel membership and Discord channel on the day of the lottery. The platform hosted a live draft lottery party on YouTube, followed by a private AMA on Discord for members. The membership program offers exclusive content, including live game chats, prospect breakdown videos, and first access to articles. This expansion reflects growing fan interest as the Sharks rebuild around their young core.

What Lies Ahead for the Sharks

With the second overall pick secured, the Sharks will make their selection on June 26 in Buffalo. The franchise's recent draft success — Celebrini and Misa — has accelerated the rebuild, and adding another high-end prospect could shorten the path back to contention. General Manager Mike Grier now faces a decision: draft the best available player, likely Stenberg, or potentially trade the pick for immediate help. The Sharks' seven-year playoff drought looms large, but the lottery win provides a tangible step toward ending it.

The bottom line

• San Jose Sharks won the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, moving up from ninth odds in a historic lottery result.
• The Sharks will pick second overall for the third straight year, joining Celebrini (2024) and Misa (2025) as recent top-two selections.
• Ivar Stenberg is the projected pick at No. 2, following a strong season in the SHL and a gold medal at the world juniors.
• Toronto Maple Leafs won the first overall pick and are expected to select Gavin McKenna.
• The Sharks also hold Edmonton's first-round pick, giving them two selections in the first round.
• The draft will take place on June 26 in Buffalo, New York.