What Happened to San Jose Sharks?
The San Jose Sharks, an NHL franchise, have been undergoing a significant rebuilding phase marked by several challenging seasons and a focus on acquiring and developing young talent. Despite recent struggles and consecutive playoff misses, the team is showing signs of promise with the emergence of top prospects like Macklin Celebrini, who has quickly become a cornerstone of the franchise. The organization is committed to a long-term strategy, including substantial arena renovations and strategic player development, aiming to return to contention.
Quick Answer
The San Jose Sharks are currently in a deep rebuilding phase, having missed the NHL playoffs for several consecutive seasons. They finished at or near the bottom of the league in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, securing high draft picks. Under General Manager Mike Grier and Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky, the team is focused on developing a promising young core, highlighted by the exceptional rookie season of Macklin Celebrini in 2025-26, who has already surpassed 100 points. As of April 2, 2026, the Sharks are making a surprising push for a wild card playoff spot, indicating potential progress in their rebuild.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Mike Grier Hired as General Manager
Mike Grier was appointed as the General Manager of the San Jose Sharks, becoming the first Black GM in NHL history, signaling a new direction for the franchise.
Will Smith Drafted 4th Overall
The Sharks drafted highly-touted forward Will Smith with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, adding a key piece to their rebuilding efforts.
Eliminated from 2023-24 Playoff Contention
The Sharks were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth consecutive season, finishing the 2023-24 season with a franchise-low 47 points in an 82-game season.
Ryan Warsofsky Named Head Coach
Ryan Warsofsky was promoted from assistant coach to head coach, becoming the youngest head coach in the NHL, tasked with leading the team's young core.
Mackenzie Blackwood Traded
The Sharks traded goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche as part of a package, acquiring draft picks and other assets, continuing their roster retooling.
Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci Traded
Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci were traded to the Dallas Stars for a 2025 1st round pick and a conditional 2025 4th round pick, further shedding veteran contracts for future assets.
End of 2024-25 Season, Another Last Place Finish
The Sharks concluded the 2024-25 season in last place, securing another high draft pick, but showing some progression in play despite the results.
Michael Misa Drafted 2nd Overall
The San Jose Sharks selected center Michael Misa with the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, adding another elite prospect to their burgeoning young core.
Joe Thornton Joins Coaching Staff
Franchise legend Joe Thornton returned to the Sharks organization, joining the coaching staff as a Player Development Coach & Hockey Operations Advisor.
SAP Center Renovation Deal Approved
San Jose leaders approved a deal to keep the Sharks at SAP Center through 2051, including a $351 million city subsidy for arena upgrades and plans for a new arena by September 2027.
No Captain Named, Celebrini Among Alternate Captains
The Sharks announced they would not have a captain for the 2025-26 season, but named a leadership group including Macklin Celebrini as an alternate captain in his second NHL season.
Kiefer Sherwood Acquired and Extended
The Sharks acquired forward Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks and subsequently signed him to a five-year, $28.75 million contract on March 4, 2026.
Timothy Liljegren Traded
The Sharks traded defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the Washington Capitals for a 2026 fourth-round selection, continuing their asset management at the trade deadline.
Macklin Celebrini Surpasses 100 Points
Rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini recorded his 100th point of the season against the St. Louis Blues, highlighting his exceptional impact on the team's performance.
Playoff Push Continues
As of April 1, 2026, the San Jose Sharks are unexpectedly pushing for a wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference with 10 games remaining, two points behind the Nashville Predators.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The San Jose Sharks have experienced a challenging period in recent years, transitioning from a perennial playoff contender to a team committed to a comprehensive rebuild. The 2023-24 season was particularly difficult, with the Sharks finishing with just 47 points, their lowest total in an 82-game season, and missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. This struggle continued into the 2024-25 season, where they again finished in last place, albeit with a slight improvement in points, still giving up the most goals in the league.
This downturn prompted a strategic shift under General Manager Mike Grier, appointed on July 5, 2022, making him the first Black general manager in NHL history. Grier's vision has centered on accumulating high draft picks and developing a new core of young players. Key turning points include the drafting of Will Smith fourth overall in 2023 and, most significantly, the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, which brought generational talent Macklin Celebrini to San Jose. The 2025 NHL Draft further bolstered their prospect pool with Michael Misa selected second overall.
Coaching changes have also been part of the rebuild, with Ryan Warsofsky, previously an assistant, being promoted to head coach on August 27, 2024. Warsofsky, the youngest coach in the NHL at 36, is tasked with integrating the new core. The 2025-26 season has seen the Sharks, against many expectations, make a surprising push for a playoff spot, largely fueled by Macklin Celebrini's outstanding rookie performance, where he surpassed 100 points by March 30, 2026. Other young players like Will Smith and William Eklund are also showing significant development.
Off-ice developments include a major agreement approved on August 26, 2025, to keep the Sharks in San Jose through 2051, involving a $351 million city subsidy for SAP Center renovations and plans for a new arena by September 2027. Franchise icon Joe Thornton also returned to the organization in July 2025 as a Player Development Coach & Hockey Operations Advisor, bringing valuable experience to the developing roster. While the team's 2025-26 record of 34-31-7 (75 points) still places them 5th in the Pacific Division as of April 2, 2026, their unexpected playoff contention and the rapid growth of their young stars signify a potential turning point for the franchise, moving towards a more competitive future.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if San Jose Sharks made different choices?