For the last 22 years (13 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 23rd annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

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Gone – Henry Thrun, Nikolai Kovalenko, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Walker Duehr, Thomas Bordeleau, Danil Gushchin

Incoming – Philipp Kurashev, Adam Gaudette, Jeff Skinner, John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, Dmitri Orlov, Nick Leddy, Alex Nedeljkovic

Impact of changes

None of the above additions represent a major splash, as the Sharks are sticking with the program when it comes to their long rebuild. In fact, none of these players will even come close to being universally drafted in fantasy leagues this season. These offseason additions simply represent short-term placeholders that, as a combined group, could improve San Jose marginally in 2025-26. Skinner or Kurashev could play in the top 6, Orlov could log top-4 minutes on the blueline, Klingberg could QB the top power play to start the season, and Nedeljkovic should challenge to be the starting goalie. One or more of these players could also be flipped at the deadline as the Sharks attempt to add to their stable of prospects and picks.

Usually first-round picks from the most recent draft aren't included in the incoming list above, so we'll mention Michael Misa here instead. One burning question for the Sharks is whether Misa, the 2025 second overall pick, will crack the Sharks' opening-night roster and stick around beyond the nine-game trial. Out of any 2025-drafted player, Misa might be in the best position to make an immediate impact. Misa should still be prioritized in keeper leagues over single-season leagues, though.

Ready for Full Time

The goalie challenging Nedeljkovic for the starting job will be Yaroslav Askarov, who split time between the NHL and the AHL's San Jose Barracuda in 2024-25. Although his NHL numbers (13 GP, 3.10 GAA, .896 SV%) weren't strong behind a weak Sharks defense, Askarov handled AHL competition very well (22 GP, 2.45 GAA, .923 SV%). Don't expect standout stats this season, but his season-by-season value should increase as the Sharks improve.

An undrafted NCAA free agent signing, Collin Graf also spent time in 2024-25 in both the NHL (33 GP) and AHL (40 GP). Demonstrating strong playmaking skills at the AHL level (27 A to go with 8 G), Graf should receive a longer look in the NHL this season. With the Sharks loading up on top prospects in their rebuild, Graf projects to be a secondary scoring piece.

Jack Thompson's 2024-25 season was also split up the middle between the NHL (31 GP) and the AHL (27 GP). With 14 points in his 27 games with the Barracuda and 32 points in 46 games the season before in the AHL, the 23-year-old Thompson has some offensive chops. He may receive some power-play time at the NHL level, although it is difficult to forecast the power play from a blueline perspective.

Fantasy Outlook

Drafting multiple Sharks won't likely win you your fantasy league this season, but the situation is improving as the team progresses through the rebuild. Macklin Celebrini finished tied for second in rookie scoring with 63 points in 70 games, and he could be in store for an even bigger second season. Celebrini's upside as a potential 100+ point scoring star helps make the Sharks appealing fantasy-wise over the coming years.

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Will Smith and William Eklund should also take another step forward this season, while Tyler Toffoli could provide the Sharks with veteran scoring on both the first line and the top power play. Aside from that, stick with investing in futures from this team. Misa (mentioned above), Sam Dickinson, Quentin Musty, Luca Cagnoni, Igor Chernyshov, and Filip Bystedt are a few names to track. The fantasy grade still isn't high, but it's getting better.

Fantasy Grade: C (Last year: D+)

Check out the rest of the Dobber team previews here.