After another season wrapped up and officially out of playoff contention, the San Jose Sharks report card is in. While the Sharks finished shy of a 40-win season at 39-35-8, they closed out the season with significant improvements. Within the reality of a deep rebuild, this report card takes into account Team Teal’s rebuild trajectory and organizational direction.
All season long the Sharks have demonstrated they don’t need shot volume to win. As noted previously, about 65 percent of San Jose’s wins come while being outshot. This is also reflected in their 46.88% Corsi and 46.34% Fenwick at even strength. Many of the team’s wins are driven by capitalizing on chances rather than generating them in bulk. While the team is still struggling to play with consistent territorial offense, an opportunistic one is meaningful progress.
In each of the last three seasons, the Sharks have steadily climbed. The team endured a brutal 2023-24 season, which featured a 41.19% expected-goals share and a 34.92% high-danger goals share where the team just couldn’t generate or finish chances.
Last season, those numbers started to change. With the arrival of Macklin Celebrini in 2024-25, his presence helped lift the Sharks to a 43.96% expected-goals share. His second season built on the strong debut, raising the expected-goals share to 46.70% and rewriting the franchise’s record book.
On Thursday, in the final Sharks’ game of the season, Celebrini surpassed Joe Thornton’s single‑season points mark. With 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists), Celebrini is helping redefine what the Sharks’ attack can look like in elite form.
A team effort, San Jose’s future is bright as the rest of the young core rises with Celebrini. 19-year-old Michael Misa finished the season on a four-game point streak. Igor Chernyshov closed strong too, playing on the top line alongside Celebrini and Will Smith. 23-year-old Collin Graf played 81 of 82 games, finishing with 46 points. In his fifth season with the Sharks, William Eklund logged 38 assists (13 on the power play) and 15 goals.
Smith established himself as a dynamic duo with Celebrini, earning 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists). Celebrini and Smith give the Sharks an entertaining, effective one-two punch at center, with an even higher ceiling still ahead.
The statistical surge and historic milestone tell the same story: Team Teal’s offense is no longer surviving but leading. As the young forwards keep developing, the Sharks should finally have the secondary depth needed to support the top line.
Grade: C+
Defensively, the Sharks took a huge step forward, finishing with a -41 goal differential. Compared to two seasons ago, they closed with a staggering -150 goal differential with nightly breakdowns and a roster nowhere near NHL-caliber.
However, the Sharks allowed 3.55 goals against per game, among the three worst in the league (Leafs and Canucks). The numbers speak to a core with more competitiveness but a blue line that remains a work in progress.
Mario Ferraro, 27, is the longest-tenured Shark, and a big part of that needed consistency. Ferraro played all 82 games this season, serving as both an emotional and physical anchor on the blueline. Ferraro finished the season with a career-high seven goals and 16 assists.
Looking ahead, the Sharks could benefit from retaining Vincent Desharnais. Desharnais quietly posted a +7, the only defenseman to finish positively. The 29-year-old’s size, reach, and trusted TOI (18:10 average) make him an ideal stabilizer for a young defensive core. Dmitry Orlov, at 34, brings far more offensive upside, also making a strong case for an “older” d-man. But his defensive numbers were the second lowest among San Jose players at -28.
Sam Dickinson, Luca Cagnoni, and Shakir Mukhamadullin all demonstrated flashes of the assertive d-style the Sharks want to build around. While the group is still young and mistake‑prone, the foundation is clearly stronger than it was even a year ago.
While the defense is better, it’s still not good.
Grade: C-
Playing in front of the crease shaped goaltending, and whoever minded the net often faced an uphill battle this season. Opponents generated a steady stream of high-danger chances, forcing workloads that would challenge even established starters. Still, Yaroslav Askarov was named this season’s Rookie of the Year, closing the season 21-20-4 and .884%. The 23-year-old’s ability to battle through chaotic sequences gave an optimistic glimpse of what the team’s long-term future could hold.
Alex Nedeljkovic played only seven fewer games than Askarov, finishing 18-14-4 and .896%. The 30-year-old’s impact was delivered, not just in timely, head-spinning saves, but with the emotional fire that rallies a team. Ned’s epic fight against Sergei Bobrovsky reflected the bigger picture of a team that battles hard through adverse environments.
With Askarov’s ceiling, Nedeljkovic’s fire, and an opportunistic training camp ahead, the Sharks have a path towards stability.
Grade: B+
Overall, the special teams weren’t a strength, but they weren’t a liability either. Ranked 17th in the league on the power play at 20.9%, their power play is trending upwards. With real talent driving it, Team Teal improved from 2024-25’s 18.6%. The penalty kill remains bottom-tier at 75.8%, 28th in the NHL and aligning with their negative goal differential. As the netfront coverage improves, there is hope that the penalty kill holds the personnel to improve too.
Grade: C+
This season was the clearest sign yet that the Sharks are moving in their mantra of “the future is teal” directive. As attention turns to the draft lottery, the Sharks hold a 5% chance at first OA, 5.2% at second OA, and 0.2% at third OA. While the odds are modest, even a small jump could add another player to a roster that’s taking shape. Next season shifts from 82 games to 84, so the Sharks must be ready earlier for a longer grind ahead. If the organization continues its additions, next year won’t just be progress but a legitimate step forward in the standings.
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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
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