‘I’m always open to listening:’ Sharks GM Grier weighing options with No. 2 overall pick

The hockey gods smiled upon the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night, as they won the lottery for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft just after the first overall pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After falling out of the No. 1 slot that could have delivered Matthew Schaefer to the Sharks a year ago, San Jose had better luck this time around, moving up seven spots from No. 9 overall to give the organization a chance at another blue-chip prospect.

But with 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini looking like the league’s next big superstar and 2025 No. 2 overall pick Michael Misa in tow, could general manager Mike Grier consider trading the pick for more immediate help at an area of need, specifically on defense?

“I’m always open to listening to what’s out there,” Grier told reporters after the lottery, including Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now.

Assuming the Leafs go the chalky route by taking Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the top pick, the Sharks could be in line to select Ivar Stenberg, the consensus second-best prospect in the pool according to many experts, including Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis.

The floor is absolutely bonkers for Stenberg,” Ellis wrote of the Swede. “There truly isn’t an area he struggles with. He’s incredible with the puck, has a fantastic shot and might have the second-best hockey sense of anyone in the draft behind McKenna.”

The concept of adding Stenberg to an emerging forward group that already includes Celebrini, Misa and Will Smith is an enticing one, but defense is such a glaring need that Grier taking a defenseman, perhaps Chase Reid of the Soo Greyhounds, can’t be ruled out.

Whatever Grier chooses to do, he’ll either be adding another elite prospect to the mix or acquiring a player of roughly equivalent value in a trade.

For a Sharks squad that made a valiant run toward a playoff spot that only fell apart in April, wildly exceeding expectations in the process, that’s a massive win.

“Shocked, really,” Grier said of his reaction. “I was happy and excited. It was a good day for the organization.”