Is Sharks' Revamped Defense Better Than Before For The 2026-27 Nhl Season?

Is Sharks' revamped defense better than before for the 2026-27 NHL season? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

The Sharks have remade their defense. But how much better than before is it?

San Jose Hockey Now spoke with four NHL scouts, none with the Sharks, for their assessment.

Do they think the Sharks have a playoff-caliber blueline now?

So far this summer, the Sharks have signed Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million pact. They also traded for Darnell Nurse, sending out defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect Zack Sharp, and Michael Kesselring (and 2026 draft’s No. 27 pick), sending out the No. 20.

They’re adding this trio to incumbents Dmitry Orlov and Sam Dickinson.

Prospects Luca Cagnoni, Eric Pohlkamp, and Nolan Allan are also waiting in the wings.

Realistically, the Sharks could also add another veteran depth defenseman to this mix.

So how much better is this blueline, considered around the league, for years, to be one of the worst in the NHL?

“It’s a big improvement compared to last year,” Scout No. 1 said. “Closer to average.”

“Significantly improved,” Scout No. 2 said.

Good enough for the playoffs? The Sharks have missed the post-season for seven straight years.

“100 percent in the playoffs discussion,” Scout No. 2 said.

“Borderline playoff corps,” Scout No. 3 said.

There are obvious question marks surrounding Nurse and Trouba, because they’re 30-something’s signed for four more years.

But league-wide, they’re still considered legitimate top-four defensemen, and generally thought to be upgrades over Orlov and the departing Mario Ferraro. Between Nurse and Trouba and Orlov, the Sharks have three consensus top-four defenders for the first time in a long time. Nurse and Trouba should also take on the penalty-killing minutes that Ferraro and Vincent Desharnais vacate.

“Trouba is a defensive defenseman,” Scout No. 1 said. “Puck game is limited but can still shoot the puck. And obviously a big, heavy, and physical defender. Plays to his identity.”

“Nurse isn’t as physical as he should be and is prone to mental errors with the puck,” Scout No. 1 said. “But can rush the puck and add some offense though.”

“Both men are solid citizens and leaders,” Scout No. 2 said. “High-end level of toughness and respect [around] the league.”

Scout No. 1 added, “Orlov played higher in the line-up than he should and was exposed.”

Nurse and Trouba will help with that.

“Hopefully, Dickinson can take a step too,” Scout No. 4 said about the 2024 No. 11 pick.

So while the four-year commitments to 31-year-old Nurse and 32-year-old Trouba aren’t ideal, which top-four blueliners were the Sharks going to add this off-season with shorter contracts? And at a reasonable acquisition cost, in a seller’s market for defensemen?

Kesselring also didn’t cost the Sharks much, and while he’s not proven like Nurse and Trouba, is 6-foot-5 and mobile and just 26.

“Has top-four potential,” Scout No. 4 opined.

“Have guys who can do a much better job getting the puck to the forwards or skate it themselves,” Scout No. 1 said of Nurse, Trouba, and Kesselring.

How about the Sharks’ blueline prospects, Allan, Cagnoni, or Pohlkamp — who’s the most NHL-ready?

“They need a top power-play guy,” Scout No. 1 said. “None of [Nurse or Trouba or Kesselring] are close to top PP guys. Gives Cagnoni an edge.”

“Cagnoni can run a power play,” Scout No. 2 said. “I would think he would get a look in that role.”

Of this trio of prospects, 5-foot-9 Cagnoni is the most offensively gifted, Pohlkamp projects to the most well-rounded long-term, and 6-foot-2 Allan is more defensive.

It is worth noting that Cagnoni and Allan have a lot more pro experience than the recently signed Pohlkamp. Speaking of Allan, the 23-year-old is not waiver-exempt, while the younger Cagnoni and Pohlkamp still are.

In the end, the Sharks aren’t likely to be carried into the playoffs by this defense. Macklin Celebrini is already a superstar, but can another young forward or two become a star too?

“Will all depend on how quickly their top-end young guys mature,” Scout No. 2 said. “Not Celebrini, but Smith, Chernyshov, Misa, et cetera.”

If Celebrini gets some help up front, and the Sharks’ defense is at least average, that could be enough to get them into the post-season dance.

“[The defense is] a bit of a mixed bag,” Scout No. 4 said. “Older and some questions. But if everything works, could be decent for next season.”

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