The San Jose Sharks just scored a major victory—and it didn't even happen on the ice. The team has won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, securing the No. 2 overall pick in what promises to be a star-studded draft class.
"It's exciting for us," Sharks GM Mike Grier told ESPN, keeping his cards close to his vest. "For the most part, we're going to look at best player."
The night started with high hopes as the Sharks vied for the coveted No. 1 selection. In the first draw, San Jose needed a No. 3 ping pong ball to land the top spot—but it wasn't meant to be. Instead, the Toronto Maple Leafs leapfrogged from fifth place to claim first overall, sending a jolt through the lottery proceedings.
But the Sharks didn't leave empty-handed. In the second draw, their combination came through, locking in the No. 2 pick. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks—the NHL's worst team this season—settled for the third overall selection, a reminder that even the bottom-feeders can't always count on lottery luck.
All eyes now turn to the draft board. Winger Gavin McKenna is the consensus No. 1 prospect, and if the Maple Leafs scoop him up, the Sharks will have their pick of an impressive talent pool. Will they target Ivar Stenberg, the dynamic winger seen as McKenna's biggest challenger for top honors? Or will they shore up their blue line with a top defenseman like Chase Reid?
Either way, this is a win for a Sharks team that showed real grit in the 2025-26 season, battling for a playoff spot right down to the final week. Even with that resurgence, they're still in prime position to add a game-changer to their roster.
Mark your calendars: the 2026 NHL Draft takes place June 26-27 in Buffalo. For Sharks fans, it's a date that just got a whole lot more exciting.