The 2026 NHL draft is fast approaching, and the San Jose Sharks have already positioned themselves as a focal point of speculation, holding two coveted spots in the opening round.
San Jose Hockey Now, the fan‑centric site that has become a hub for draft analysis, assembled a panel of sixteen writers and a guest general manager to simulate the first twenty selections.
The exercise, while purely imaginative, reflects the growing collaboration between traditional analysts, digital platforms and community voices in shaping how prospects are evaluated.
The First Pick
At the summit of the mock board, the Toronto Maple Leafs reached for winger Gavin McKenna, a player whose combination of speed, skill and offensive instincts has made him a favorite among scouting reports.
Mark Masters of TSN, Thomas Drance of The Athletic, and a roster of contributors — including Ben Pope, Vince Mercogliano, Ryan Pike, Keegan McNally, Ken Wiebe, George Richards, Nick Kieser, Jeremy Rutherford, James Nichols, Stefen Rosner, Brian Hedger, Sammi Silber, John Hoven, Cole Bagley, John Chayka and Sheng Peng — each supplied their own rankings, bringing distinct perspectives from their respective outlets.
Sharks' Decision Makers
What sets this mock draft apart is that the final choices for the Sharks’ two picks will be authored by the San Jose Hockey Now team itself, turning a fan‑driven exercise into a real decision point for the franchise.
The participation of partners such as NBC Sports Bay Area, alongside the extensive list of analysts, illustrates how the draft conversation now spans multiple media ecosystems, reaching audiences in Canada, the United States, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Utah and even Germany.
As the draft day looms, the selections made by this collaborative effort will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike, eager to see how the projected talent will translate into on‑ice impact for the Sharks and the league at large.