The San Jose Sharks have positioned themselves to select Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg with the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after a multi-asset trade with the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The deal, which included parting with 23-year-old winger William Eklund, gives the Sharks two first-round selections — No. 2 and No. 9 — allowing them to address both forward and defensive needs.
Sharks' Draft Strategy
Sharks general manager Mike Grier acknowledged the value of Stenberg but also highlighted the depth of defencemen available. "It's all speculation," Grier told reporters Wednesday. "Six-three, right shot, D, who can skate and create offence, don't grow on trees either." Stenberg, a highly touted winger, could pair with Macklin Celebrini to form a dynamic duo for San Jose. The Sharks also recently acquired towering defenceman Michael Kesselring, 26, from the Buffalo Sabres on June 17 to bolster their young blueline core.
With the ninth pick, the Sharks can select from a rich crop of defencemen, potentially filling the void left by trading Eklund. However, Grier noted that draft logic and gut-feel play equal parts, leaving room for surprises.
Canucks' Dilemma at No. 3
The Vancouver Canucks, holding the third overall selection, face a critical decision: choose a top-pairing defenceman or a two-way centre. Standout OHL defenceman Chase Reid of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds is a strong candidate. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound right-shot blueliner posted 48 points (18-30) in 45 games this season, plus six points (3-3) in 10 playoff games. Long-serving NHL prospects scout Shane Malloy compared Reid to Drew Doughty, stating: "He's the only defenceman I have with a high probability of being a No. 1. He can do everything."
Alternatively, the Canucks could select centre Caleb Malhotra, son of Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra. Malhotra had 84 points (29-55) in 67 OHL games with the Brantford Bulldogs and exploded for 26 playoff points (13-13) in 15 games. However, Malloy cautioned: "It's easier to find centres... What happens if they (Canucks) play well and get out of the top-10 picks next year? Are you going to find a top-10 defenceman?"
Other Prospects in Play
If the Canucks opt for a defenceman, WHL blueliner Carson Carels of the Prince George Cougars is another option. The 6-foot-2, 198-pound left-shot defenceman had 73 points (20-53) in 58 games. Malloy praised his mobility, work ethic, and hockey sense, calling a Charlie McAvoy comparable "fair."
At centre, the Canucks could target Maddox Dagenais of the Quebec Remparts, who recorded 62 points (30-32) in 62 games, including 25 power-play points. The 6-foot-4, 196-pound pivot projects as a second-line centre. Another possibility is Ilia Morozov, the youngest NCAA Division 1 player at age 17, who had 20 points (8-12) in 36 games with Miami University of Ohio. Malloy noted Morozov has a bigger upside but needs to get faster.
The Canucks also hold the No. 24 pick, where they could address centre depth with several pivots rated in the bottom half of the first round. "When you're ready in five years to push forward, your defencemen are not ready for that, if you hold off," Malloy added, emphasizing the importance of drafting defence early.
