Megan: Macklin Celebrini is officially the highest-paid player in the NHL, but does that contract actually fix a roster stuck in fifth place? We are breaking down the Sharks' power rankings right now.
Steve: It’s a bold move by the front office, but the Pacific Division is unforgiving. Let’s see if the money translates to points.
Megan: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Megan Knight!
Steve: And I’m Steve Rattner. Today we are ranking the San Jose Sharks heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Megan: We have three things for you: First, where the Sharks sit in the brutal Pacific Division standings. Second, we’re grading the strengths and the glaring question marks on this roster. And third, we’re revisiting our playoff predictions from earlier this week and giving you a realistic win projection.
Steve: We’ve been tracking this team all week. From the rookie roundtable answers to the roster battles, it’s time to put it all together.
Megan: Let’s get into Segment One: The Division Picture. Where do the Sharks rank in the Pacific?
Steve: Well, Megan, the data is pretty stark right now. The Sharks are sitting in fifth place in the Pacific Division.
Megan: Fifth place. That sounds like a dangerous spot for a team with so much young talent.
Steve: It is. In the current landscape, being fifth means you are on the bubble. You aren't safely in the playoffs, but you aren't far enough out to be rebuilding comfortably. It’s that limbo state.
Megan: And looking at the divisional context, who are they chasing or trying to hold off?
Steve: The Pacific is tight. Every point matters because the gap between fourth and sixth can be just a few games. For San Jose, that fifth-place standing reflects a roster that has flashes of brilliance but lacks consistent structure.
Megan: So, when we look at the upcoming schedule, does that fifth-place tag make their next game against Florida feel more critical?
Steve: Absolutely. Their next game is October 2nd, hosting the Florida Panthers. If you want to climb out of fifth, you need to steal points from teams like Florida early. You can’t afford to start slow in this division.
Megan: Right. So, the pressure is immediate. But let’s talk about what’s driving that ranking. Is it the offense or the defense?
Steve: This brings us to Segment Two: Strengths and Question Marks. The biggest strength is obvious: Macklin Celebrini.
Megan: He’s twenty years old, he’s on the cover of NHL 27, and he just signed that massive extension.
Steve: Exactly. The five-year, ninety-four million dollar deal makes him the highest-paid player in the league. That isn’t just about his skill; it’s about stability. He anchors the center ice.
Megan: But having one elite player doesn’t win a series. Who else is carrying the load?
Steve: You have Collin Graf back. He re-signed on a three-year, twelve-point-seven-five million dollar deal after posting twenty-one goals and twenty-five assists last season. He provides secondary scoring.
Megan: Okay, so Graf and Celebrini are solid. What about the rest of the forward group? I see some familiar names.
Steve: It’s crowded. You have Tyler Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow, Alexander Wennberg, and Phil Kurashev. It’s a mix of veterans and younger guys like Will Smith and Alex Barre-Boulet.
Megan: That sounds like a logjam. Is that a strength or a weakness?
Steve: It’s a double-edged sword. Depth is good, but if everyone wants the top line, you lose cohesion. We talked about this in the mailbag yesterday—Will Smith was predicted as the breakout player. Can he separate himself from Wennberg and Goodrow?
Megan: That’s the big question. Now, let’s pivot to the defensive corps. This looks like an interesting group.
Steve: It is huge. You have Darnell Nurse, John Klingberg, Jacob Trouba, Nick Leddy, and Dmitry Orlov. That is a lot of veteran presence.
Megan: Wait, that’s five high-profile veterans already. Plus Sam Dickinson and Nolan Allan?
Steve: Right. So your biggest question mark is... chemistry. With that many veterans, how do they mesh with the young core? And remember, we predicted back on August 27th that a veteran defenseman would be traded before the deadline.
Megan: We did! So maybe that trade clears up the logjam. But until then, that’s a tactical puzzle for the coaching staff.
Steve: Precisely. If they don’t streamline that blue line, the neutral-zone play will suffer. You can’t have too many puck-carriers clogging the middle.
Megan: Alright, let’s get to Segment Three: The Outlook. We need to talk about those playoff predictions.
Steve: I know, Megan. This is the tough part. We’ve said it multiple times. On August 27th, 28th, and even yesterday, we predicted the Sharks would make the playoffs with 98 points.
Megan: 98 points. That is a very high number for a team currently sitting fifth in the Pacific.
Steve: It is aggressive. But here is the logic: Macklin Celebrini is going to carry the offensive load. His presence alone boosts every line he’s on. And with Graf’s consistency, the scoring should be there.
Megan: But what about goaltending? You have Yaroslav Askarov, Eric Comrie, Kyle Keyser, and Alex Nedeljkovic.
Steve: That’s four goalies. It’s a competition. If Askarov emerges as a true starter, that changes everything. But if the netminding is inconsistent, 98 points becomes impossible.
Megan: So, are we sticking with the over? We said we were taking the over on 98 points.
Steve: I am. Here is why: The Sharks have the talent to win close games. Celebrini wins those close games. And with the depth of forwards like Toffoli and Goodrow, they can grind out results even when the special teams aren’t perfect.
Megan: But Steve, if they stay fifth, they might not even get home-ice advantage in a first-round series. Does that hurt the 98-point projection?
Steve: Not necessarily. Points are points. Whether you are fourth or eighth, you need 98 to guarantee a strong position. The Sharks have the firepower to hit that number, provided the defense doesn’t collapse under the weight of its own personnel decisions.
Megan: So, final verdict: 98 points. Playoff bound. But it’s going to be a grind.
Steve: It will be. But with Celebrini leading the charge, the Sharks are no longer just a 'future' team. They are a present-day contender.
Megan: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts.
Steve: Share this episode with a fellow Shark fan. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Megan: Go Sharks! We’ll see you on the other side of the pre-season.