The San Jose Sharks are a team in transition, but the future is bright in Silicon Valley. With a roster brimming with young talent, the Sharks are poised to make some noise in the Pacific Division. However, before they can contend for a playoff spot, they have some big questions to answer.
A New Era in San Jose: What to Expect from the Sharks This Season
The Sharks’ success this season will hinge on the performance of two key players: Michael Misa and Yaroslav Askarov. Misa, the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, is a dynamic offensive talent with the potential to be a franchise-altering player. The question is, will he start the season in the NHL or be sent back to the OHL for another year of development?
If Misa makes the opening night roster, he will join a talented young core that includes William Eklund, Will Smith, and Macklin Celebrini. This would give the Sharks one of the most exciting young forward groups in the league. However, the organization may choose to be patient with Misa and let him dominate at the junior level for another season.
The other big question facing the Sharks is in the crease. Can Yaroslav Askarov handle the workload of a full-time starting goalie? The 23-year-old showed flashes of brilliance last season, but he will need to be more consistent if he wants to be the long-term solution in San Jose.
Askarov will be pushed by veteran Alex Nedeljkovic, which should create healthy competition for the starting job. If Askarov can live up to his potential, the Sharks will have a formidable tandem in net.
San Jose Sharks 2025-26 Pre-Season Schedule
Here is the full pre-season schedule for the San Jose Sharks:
- Sunday, Sept. 21 vs. Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center – 5:00 PM
- Friday, Sept. 26 vs. Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center – 7:00 PM
- Monday, Sept. 29 vs. Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, Oct. 1 vs. Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center – 7:00 PM
- Friday, Oct. 3 vs. Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena – 7:00 PM
- Saturday, Oct. 4 vs. Utah at Delta Center – 5:00 PM
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The post San Jose Sharks News: 2 Big Questions Facing the Sharks This Season appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
