Do Sharks Believe No. 2 Overall Draft Pick Ivar Stenberg Is Nhl-ready?

Do Sharks believe No. 2 overall draft pick Ivar Stenberg is NHL-ready? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Sharks saw a glimpse of a promising future last season as Macklin Celebrini and company contended for a Stanley Cup playoff spot before ultimately being eliminated the final week.

However, their luck took a turn when they jumped from the projected ninth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to No. 2 via the lottery drawing.

That pick turned into forward Ivar Stenberg – someone many critics believe can have an instant impact for the Sharks.

However, Todd Marchant, Sharks director of player development and senior advisor, says the team is not going to get ahead of themselves when it comes to making a decision on whether or not the rookie is NHL-ready.

“His play will dictate where he’s ready, but he’s a very talented player,” Marchant told NBC Sports California’s Ted Ramey. “We’re just super happy to have him as part of our arsenal of good young players and joining players like Mack, Will Smith and Michael Misa.”

Marchant explained that every player’s journey is “a little bit different,” but also mentioned that the Sharks liked what they saw of Stenberg’s performance at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland.

“Absolutely,” Marchant told Ramey when asked if he was impressed by Stenberg. “These players nowadays, they are so much more advanced at 18 and 19 years old than ever were before so we’re really excited that he can be a San Jose Shark and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up.”

The 18-year-old was second for Sweden with eight points (four goals, four assists) in eight games.

While the Sharks are uncertain whether Stenberg will begin the 2026-27 season with the NHL club or somewhere else, the promise that the No. 2 overall pick has shown on the ice is something for the team to be excited about.

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