The 10 best players from each NHL team: San Jose Sharks

Yaroslav Askarov arrived in San Jose with massive expectations on his shoulders. Long considered one of the best goaltending prospects in the world, he now finds himself in a position where he must prove it at the NHL level — and quickly. The Sharks are in a full rebuild, which means he’ll be thrown into difficult situations, facing a heavy workload behind a young and often overmatched team.

For Askarov, this is both an opportunity and a challenge. If he can show flashes of the talent that made him such a highly touted prospect, he’ll solidify his reputation as the future in net for San Jose.

But if he struggles early, the questions about whether he can truly become a franchise goalie will only grow louder. This season will go a long way in determining how quickly he can rise from “promising prospect” to cornerstone player.

Vincent Desharnais is looking for stability at this stage of his career, and San Jose might just be the perfect place for him to find it. At 6’7, he brings a rare physical presence on the blue line, something the Sharks have been missing in recent years. He doesn’t need to be flashy to make an impact — his size, reach, and willingness to play a simple, reliable game can go a long way for a rebuilding team.

If he can settle into a consistent role, Desharnais has the tools to be a steady defensive presence and a mentor figure for the younger defensemen coming through the system.

The Sharks see him as someone who could help solidify their back end in the short term while potentially becoming an important piece of their long-term foundation.

Mario Ferraro has steadily grown into one of the most important pieces of the San Jose Sharks, both because of what he brings on the ice and the leadership he shows off it. Wearing a letter on his jersey is no coincidence — it’s a reflection of the respect he commands in the locker room and the consistency he delivers every single night. Ferraro plays with relentless energy, a fearless attitude, and a team-first mentality that has made him one of the emotional leaders of this group.

Defensively, he might not be the flashiest player in the league, but his compete level and willingness to do the little things right make him incredibly valuable. He blocks shots, wins battles, and takes pride in shutting down the opposition.

Beyond the numbers, though, his voice and presence mean just as much for a team that is still trying to find its way through a rebuild. The Sharks need leaders who can guide the younger players while setting the right example, and Ferraro has already embraced that role at a relatively young age.

Dmitry Orlov represents a fantastic acquisition for the San Jose Sharks, giving the team exactly the kind of proven, steady presence they’ve been missing on the blue line. With years of experience as a reliable top-four defenseman in the NHL, Orlov brings a mix of physicality, strong defensive instincts, and the ability to chip in offensively when needed. He’s been through deep playoff runs and knows what it takes to win, which makes him an ideal mentor for the younger players on the roster.

For a Sharks team in the middle of a rebuild, adding a player like Orlov is about more than just shoring up the defense — it’s about injecting credibility and stability into the lineup.

He can log heavy minutes against tough opponents, help steady special teams, and set an example with his professionalism and compete level. His presence also takes pressure off some of the younger defensemen, allowing them to grow at their own pace.

William Eklund is one of the brightest young talents in San Jose, and the Sharks are counting on him to take another big step forward in his development. He’s a highly skilled forward with excellent vision, smooth skating, and the ability to create offense both for himself and his teammates.

His hockey IQ is great — he processes the game at a high level, making smart decisions with the puck and finding seams that others might not see.

While he’s still learning to adapt to the physical grind of the NHL, the potential is obvious, and the Sharks see him as a key piece of their future core. If he can translate his skill and creativity into consistent production, Eklund could soon become one of the most exciting players on the team.

Will Smith is quickly proving that he belongs among the best young players in the NHL. Ever since stepping into the league, he’s showcased elite offensive instincts, slick hands, and the kind of vision that can change a game in an instant.

His creativity with the puck and ability to execute plays at top speed make him a constant threat in the offensive zone. Even though he’s still very young, Smith carries himself with the confidence of a seasoned pro, and the Sharks already view him as a future cornerstone of the franchise.

If he continues to develop at this pace, San Jose may have found the centerpiece of their rebuild for years to come.