However, if he fails to find his footing and the clock starts ticking, a trade may become the wisest option for the Blueshirts. If that happens, three teams with young rosters and a major need on the blue line could come knocking on Chris Drury’s door.

“I’ve wondered about defense-needy teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks,” Vincent Mercogliano wrote on The Athletic about a potential trade involving Schneider.

Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks make sense

Should any of the Ducks, Sharks, or Blackhawks call the Rangers to ask about Schneider, it wouldn’t be surprising. The three boast young lineups in which the offense features an elite center and enough talent—albeit to different extents on each team—to send chills down the spine of opposing defenses.

Another thing the three potential landing spots for Schneider have in common is that each has broken the piggy bank to extend its franchise center. Macklin Celebrini’s new contract with the Sharks set a record-breaking average annual value (AAV), while Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard will still earn more than Celebrini next season. Still, there is a glaring void on the blue line for all three clubs, especially when it comes to depth.

Indeed, each team has—or at least hopes it has—its franchise life-changing defenseman: Anaheim has Jackson LaCombe, San Jose drafted Keaton Verhoeff, and Chicago traded for Bowen Byram while hoping Artyom Levshunov develops into an elite blueliner. Going further down the pairings, however, that’s where trouble lies for the Ducks, Sharks, and Blackhawks.

Schneider could still enter his prime

Schneider, who is still only 24 years old, could turn out to be a crucial depth addition, and a long-term one at that. For him, a change of scenery may be all he needs, and for the Rangers, trading him wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world—provided they receive a fitting offer.

The Blueshirts know, even if they can’t figure it out themselves, that Schneider is fixable. Thus, they can’t demand top dollar, but they won’t settle for peanuts in return, either. Finding that sweet spot in between is what it’s all about.

Perhaps it will be Anaheim, Chicago, or San Jose that comes through with the right offer. Or maybe a dark horse takes Schneider off the Blueshirts’ hands. The defenseman being re-signed in the Big Apple remains an option on the table, though it continues to inch closer to the edge with each passing day.

New Rangers in New York

New York revamped its defense during the offseason and, in fact, is in greater need of help in its top-six forward group. With Schneider, patience appears to be running low, and the fact the two sides agreed only to a one-year deal—largely to avoid arbitration—could indicate trouble.

Moreover, Mike Sullivan is trying to establish a new Rangers identity that hinges on Igor Shesterkin’s long-term commitment and a solid defensive corps. If Schneider finally breaks out and establishes himself, great. But if not, the Blueshirts have a backup plan. They made sure to lay the foundation during the offseason. Drafting Alberts Smits was further proof of that.

Unlike what happened with Schneider, New York will hope not to burn out its first-round defenseman this time around. At least, that’s easier said than done while the regular season still feels distant. Once the puck drops and the team needs answers, the original plan may be tossed out the window.

Heading into the 2026-27 NHL campaign, Bedard finally moved off his RFA status and signed a long extension with the Blackhawks. Under his current deal, Bedard will make an average salary of $15 million over the next five years. Bedard’s extension runs through 2031, when he will become an UFA at the age of 25.

During the 2026-27 NHL season, however, Bedard will earn a total salary of $17 million, according to PuckPedia. Celebrini, on the other hand, won’t come close to that figure. The Sharks will pay Celebrini a salary of $975,000 next season because he is still under his entry-level contract.

Celebrini is still on rookie contract

The record-breaking deal Celebrini signed—setting the highest average annual value (AAV) in NHL history—won’t kick in until the 2027-28 season. The wait will be well worth it, though.

In 2027-28, Celebrini is set to earn a $20.8 million salary from the Sharks. As things stand, that would be the highest annual salary in the NHL two seasons from now. During the 2027-28 campaign, the North Vancouver duo’s salaries will combine for a total of $36.8 million.

However, with pending unrestricted free agents such as Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, and Jason Robertson, combined with the league’s rising salary cap, many around the NHL wonder whether another record-breaking contract could be signed in the near future.

Bedard’s deal puts him in great spot

Based on AAV, Bedard ranks fourth among all NHL contracts (third if only active contracts are considered, which would leave Celebrini out of the equation). In terms of total value, however, Bedard’s five-year, $75 million contract falls all the way to 35th in the league.

Still, the 21-year-old may not have wanted it any other way. In 2031, Bedard will get the chance to test free agency as a 25-year-old. With his prime years still ahead of him and coming off character-testing seasons with the Blackhawks, Bedard could be in line for a massive payday on the open market.

And even if he wants to stay in Chicago, the possibility of losing him in free agency would likely push the Blackhawks to go above and beyond with a top-of-the-market offer. All things considered, the timing couldn’t be much better for the North Vancouver native. It isn’t luck, though. This is exactly what Bedard’s camp was after and why it had no interest in signing a maximum-term deal.

Now in second place among the highest-paid players by annual salary is Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks, with an $18 million AAV. The top three is completed by Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild, who earns a $17 million AAV.

By signing this contract, Celebrini secured a total deal worth $94 million, ranking 8th in terms of total contract value. The undisputed leader in this ranking is Kaprizov, with a total value of $136 million.

Connor Bedard also has a significant contract

After proving himself as a elite talent in his first three seasons and winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year, Connor Bedard signed a major five-year contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks in July 2026 worth $75 million. Running through the 2030–31 season, the deal carries an average annual cap hit of $15 million, firmly cementing the 21-year-old superstar as the cornerstone and long-term centerpiece of the franchise.

McDavid secured a long-term extension

Connor McDavid signed a two-year contract extension with the Edmonton Oilers in July 2025 worth $25 million. Running through the 2027–28 season with an average annual value of $12.5 million, the landmark deal secures the three-time Hart Trophy winner as the heart and soul of the Oilers franchise for the prime of his career.

Macklin Celebrini ready to push the Sharks forward

Following his contract extension, Macklin Celebrini is fully set on etching his name into San Jose Sharks history by guiding the franchise to its first-ever Stanley Cup. After suffering a heartwrenching defeat to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2016 Finals, the franchise has been hungering for another shot at hockey’s ultimate prize.

Now, anchored long-term as the undisputed center of the Sharks’ rebuild, the young phenom embraces the responsibility of driving a new era for San Jose and bringing the Cup to the Bay Area at last.

At the end of the day, the Rangers are in a rough situation, but life in New York City may make it all worthwhile. Perhaps Fox would be interested in leaving the organization ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season, but not for the Sharks, who, for all the forward talent they possess, are still a ways away from becoming true Stanley Cup contenders. If he is to be traded, Fox might want to join a Cup favorite rather than a team that must first go through its growing pains.

“Fox appears unwilling to waive his NMC for any deal involving San Jose,” Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff reported on his X account.

San Jose needs defensive help

Although Fox hasn’t openly admitted a desire to leave New York, he remains one of the Rangers’ biggest trade chips should the organization decide to hold a garage sale at Madison Square Garden.

The Sharks might be the most defense-needy team among the NHL’s playoff bubble clubs. With the likes of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and many others leading the forward group, San Jose saw its playoff hopes come crashing down due to a lack of balance between offense and defense.

General manager Mike Grier and the rest of the organization are determined to correct that flaw, arguably the only thing missing from an otherwise superb work at rebuilding the roster. However, it appears Fox will not waive his NMC for the Sharks, and that’s a deal-breaker.

Fox’s contract

In the 2026-27 NHL campaign, Fox will enter the fifth season of his seven-year, $66.5 million contract with the Blueshirts. Fox is signed to a full no-movement clause, which will convert into a 16-team no-trade list in 2027-28.

Perhaps the Sharks are willing to wait one more year for Fox, who will turn 29 next February. However, there might be nothing San Jose—or New York—can do if the blueliner includes the Sharks on his no-trade list.

Would New York want to trade Fox?

As for the Rangers, they may have little interest in parting with their best defenseman, but there are also several benefits to a potential trade. First and foremost, Fox could be the key to working out a deal with San Jose that includes the second overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Rangers are reportedly settling for a defenseman with the No. 5 pick, but their draft-night plans could change entirely if they acquire No. 2. If Fox is moved, New York may not even need to part with its own selection and could end up with two picks in the top five.

Pulling off such a move could cost Chris Drury some goodwill—which is already in short supply—with fans in Manhattan. But it could all be forgiven if the Blueshirts land their franchise-saving duo. Given how recent top draft picks have panned out in New York City, however, that might be wishful thinking.

Fox pushed to arrive in New York

Born in Jericho, New York, it was always Fox’s dream to play for the New York Rangers. He made that crystal clear when he urged the Carolina Hurricanes to trade him to the Broadway Blueshirts before he even made his NHL debut. Fox always wanted to stay home. In the league, that place is Madison Square Garden.

Whether the recent disastrous seasons in Manhattan have changed his thoughts on the Rangers remains unclear. Yet, if Fox is considering a fresh start, it seems clear he won’t leave just anywhere.

Unless it makes sense for him and his family, he’d rather stay in the City That Never Sleeps. As reports indicate, San Jose is not among the options for which Fox would give up his childhood dream.

If the Broadway Blueshirts want to move up the board, they’d better pick up the phone and start making calls. Unfortunately, the San Jose Sharks may not be too eager to answer if they see the call is coming from the Big Apple. According to a report making the rounds in NHL circles, the Sharks have drawn the line on how far they’re willing to move down in the draft.

“San Jose, I’m told doesn’t want to drop below the fourth [overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft],” insider Darren Dreger stated on the Barn Burner podcast.

San Jose is New York’s best chance to move up

If the Sharks are indeed declaring the Rangers’ fifth overall pick a no-go zone in the 2026 NHL Draft, then all hope might actually be lost in New York. San Jose is stacked with exciting forwards, and its GM, Mike Grier, has close ties to Chris Drury.

If trading down made sense for any team in the league, it’d be the organization in the capital of Silicon Valley. However, chance has dealt New York another rough hand. The Blueshirts dropped two spots in the NHL Draft Lottery, and fortune still isn’t giving them a break.

It appears the Sharks will either make their pick at No. 2 or, even worse for New York, move down a couple of spots while remaining ahead of the Rangers. New York tried its luck in shark-infested waters, and it may have learned its lesson.

The NY Rangers may have no other alternative

The Toronto Maple Leafs were handed the ultimate lifeline by winning the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. Considering all the distress the organization has endured—and could continue to endure—there’s a better chance hell freezes over than the Buds parting with the No. 1 selection and the opportunity to draft Gavin McKenna—or Ivar Stenberg, if they’re bold enough to take that route.

The Vancouver Canucks finished with the worst record in the league and still couldn’t secure the first overall pick. Vancouver has never moved up in the draft lottery since the system was introduced and has never picked first overall. That distinction will follow the Canucks into this year’s NHL Draft, and there’s little chance they’ll entertain a deal to move down from third overall.

The same logic applies to the Chicago Blackhawks, who will select fourth overall—reportedly the lowest San Jose is willing to drop in a trade-down scenario.

Little chance Chicago helps New York

There would be a sliver of hope for New York and Chicago to strike a deal were it not for the fact that the Hawks remain stubbornly confident Stenberg could fall to them at No. 4. And even if he doesn’t, the Blackhawks seem content to come away with whichever top player remains available, possibly Caleb Malhotra, Chase Reid, or Carson Carels.

Moving down one spot in a trade with New York, knowing the Rangers could then use that pick to entice San Jose, simply makes little sense for Chicago. Maybe the Blackhawks will engage in negotiations of their own with the Sharks.

All in all, Chicago may finally get its revenge on the Big Apple. The NHL franchise in the Second City may actually be second after all, while the Broadway Blueshirts seem stuck at No. 5.

Just because the Blueshirts recently got their hearts broken doesn’t mean they have lost all hope. When it comes to a potential trade up with the San Jose Sharks (No. 2 selection), the Rangers are holding on to a sliver of faith. However, league history indicates they may only be setting themselves up for disappointment.

As reported by Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, the last time a top-two pick was traded in the NHL was nearly 23 years ago. Back then, the Florida Panthers (No. 1) swapped places with the Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 3). Pittsburgh selected Marc-Andre Fleury first overall, while Florida took Nathan Horton third. Needless to say, the team that moved up clearly won that trade.

Trade with Sharks is complicated

Such a precedent not only underlines how improbable a trade between the Rangers and Sharks may be, but also adds another layer of hesitation for San Jose when looking at how things turned out for the last team to move down from a top-two selection.

As a result, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury will have to come up with a very appealing offer for his close friend Mike Grier (Sharks GM) in the Capital of Silicon Valley. It’s either that or praying for Gavin McKenna to slide down from No. 1 and somehow land in New York. The odds of that aren’t looking very promising.

All things considered, the Blueshirts may have no choice but to stay put at No. 5 and take the best player available. According to a report, the Rangers view defenseman Carson Carels as their lone option in the 2026 NHL Draft.

NY Rangers’ picks in 2026 Draft

As things stand, the Blueshirts own 11 picks in the upcoming NHL Draft. Anything can happen, as New York has been transparent about its desire to move up, and such a move would almost certainly require parting ways with additional selections, as well as a roster player or prospect.

Regardless, New York currently owns the second-most picks in this year’s draft of any team, though there is a three-way tie at the top. The Calgary Flames, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues each hold 12 selections. As for the Blueshirts, they own two first-round picks. Here’s the complete list of their selections:

• No. 5 overall
• First-round pick (via Dallas)
• Second-round pick (via Carolina)
• Third-round pick
• Third-round pick (via New York)
• Third-round pick (via Los Angeles)
• Third-round pick (via Buffalo)
• Fifth-round pick
• Sixth-round pick
• Sixth-round pick (via Chicago)
• Seventh-round pick (via Vancouver)

As reported by Joe Fortunato on Blueshirt Banter, the Rangers may have a real shot at trading up in the 2026 NHL Draft. Not with the Maple Leafs, who won’t move an inch from their spot on the board, but with the San Jose Sharks—arguably the biggest winners of the Draft Lottery. New York could send its fifth overall pick, as well as a roster player—perhaps right-handed defenseman Braden Schneider, who fits the bill perfectly for San Jose’s needs—or more.

By moving up to No. 2, the Rangers would be knocking on the door of McKenna. Even though he is widely considered the best prospect in the 2026 class, Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg has been making noise of his own. Being taken off the board first overall is expected for McKenna, but it’s not a lock. A lot can happen before Toronto announces its pick at KeyBank Center on June 26.

For the Rangers, trading up is virtually a must. After dropping two spots and being set to pick at No. 5, the Rangers have multiple potential options, but none as exciting (on paper) as McKenna or Stenberg. If they move up to second overall, New York is guaranteed to come away with one of them. Climbing their way to No. 2 sets up a win-win scenario for the Blueshirts.

Why Sharks could accept such a trade

Indeed, the Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery—the sun is shining and birds are singing in Toronto. However, the Sharks may be even bigger winners than the Buds. Once again, chance has been on their side. San Jose jumped up nine spots to secure the No. 2 pick—its fourth straight top-five selection.

Having drafted Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Michael Misa with their first picks in the past three years, it’s no secret the Sharks boast one of the best forward groups in the league for years to come. However, San Jose lacks talent on the blue line. It could always add another elite forward prospect, but it might become a headache down the line, especially when the time comes to accommodate Celebrini, Smith, Misa, and a potential addition like McKenna or Stenberg to top-of-the-market deals.

Instead, the safest option seems to be drafting a defenseman, which this class doesn’t lack. By moving down, the Sharks could come away with the best of both worlds by acquiring a current roster player and an exciting defenseman prospect.

Rangers-Sharks trade faces challenge

San Jose’s real concern centers around New York picking fifth. The consensus around the league suggests RHD Chase Reid will be the first blueliner off the board, and the odds of him being available at No. 5 seem low. Keaton Verhoeff may be available, but his size and concerning skating could make for a risky cocktail organizations might opt to steer clear of.

Perhaps San Jose is better off either “reaching” for a defenseman with the second overall pick or trading down with the Vancouver Canucks or Chicago Blackhawks (No. 3 and No. 4, respectively). If the Nucks and Hawks are interested in moving up, it might leave Chris Drury and the Rangers with no choice but to pull out the personal relationship card.

Drury is close friends with Sharks GM Mike Grier, as they were roommates back in college at Boston University. Moreover, the two have a history of working together in the NHL. With Drury’s seat getting hot in the Big Apple, his good ol’ friend in the Capital of Silicon Valley could come to his rescue.

Rangers will try everything

All in all, a lot can happen in the coming weeks leading up to the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Obviously, for the Blueshirts to draft McKenna, they’d need the Maple Leafs to pass on him. It’s improbable, but not impossible. If that happens, the Rangers must give themselves a shot by being in the right place at the right time.

Fortunately for New York, it has friends in high places. What luck hasn’t given the Rangers, they could make up for by working some magic.

According to a report from Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic, the Rangers are after a scoring forward in return for Schneider. The Sharks have a surplus of young forwards in their system but are quite thin on the blue line. It’s a match made in heaven, if such a thing even exists in the NHL.

If New York indeed gives up on its former first-round selection (19th overall) in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, San Jose could be among the first to knock on the Blueshirts’ door—or vice versa—and it might not take long before the two sides work something out.

Trade between NY Rangers and Sharks makes sense

Whether the Rangers go after the Sharks as they shop Schneider or the Sharks call the Blueshirts as they search for a blue-liner matters little. What’s clear is that there is a very real business opportunity for both organizations as they come off postseason absences.

The Rangers are well aware of that, and both organizations could reach an agreement at some point of the offseason. After all, it seems the two sides have an interesting trade chip the other may covet. Trades in the NHL are rarely that simple, but it looks like New York and San Jose could help each other out.

Can NHL teams make trades?

Following the NHL’s trade deadline in March, players, draft picks, or future considerations can still be moved in the league. However, any player traded after the deadline cannot participate in the ongoing Stanley Cup Playoffs. That means the Rangers and Sharks—neither of which made the postseason—could work out a trade involving Schneider at any given moment.

However, with the rising salary cap in the 2026–27 NHL season, both teams may wait for the new league year (July 1) before making such an impactful exchange. Moreover, both organizations may wait to test out free agency before engaging in a trade. Schneider’s contract situation adds even more layers to this situation.

Schneider set to be an RFA

Playing on a contract year, Schneider is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) in the summer. Before making a move for him, the Sharks would likely hope to learn where things stand between Schneider and the Rangers. Perhaps they ask New York to pull off a sign-and-trade with the 24-year-old defenseman. Schneider is eligible for arbitration, which grants him leverage in case his camp and the Blueshirts can’t reach an agreement.

Acquiring Schneider without a trade seems an unlikely alternative for San Jose. In order to do so, it must extend an offer sheet to Schneider, which New York can match and retain its former first-round pick. If the Rangers pass on that chance, they receive a compensatory draft selection. Based on the fact that the Rangers are hoping to receive an NHL-level forward in return for Schneider, it’s virtually impossible they are content to receive a compensation pick instead.

In more ways than one, all roads lead to a trade if Schneider is to leave the Big Apple. The Rangers are shopping him, and they are tossing their bait into shark-infested waters. Whatever happens next can’t catch them by surprise.

“I do believe that there is a market for [Braden Schneider]. I’ve heard of some teams that poked around on him. San Jose is one, certainly, that I would have my eye on going into the summer,” Vince Mercogliano stated on The Flying V podcast.

After taking a massive step forward in the 2025-26 NHL season, the San Jose Sharks could be on the market for more help at the blueline. Going after a young talent like Schneider may be a bet that pays dividends for the Sharks. Still, it’s one that must wait as San Jose is fully focused on punching their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs right now.

Sharks make sense for Schneider

Such a wager could be worth the risk for the Sharks. As things stand, San Jose has five defensemen on expiring contracts: Nick Leddy (34 years old), John Klingberg (33), Mario Ferraro (27), Vincent Desharnais (29), and Shakir Mukhamadullin (24, pending RFA).

Schneider could bring just the perfect mix of youth and experience for one of the youngest rosters in the NHL. According to Elite Prospects, the Sharks have the seventh-youngest lineup by average age.

As for Schneider, a move to San Jose could be just what the doctor ordered. Leaving behind the ever-present drama in The Big Apple for a much more relaxed, yet still passionate Sharks fanbase can help any struggling player to find his footing. Moreover, no organization in the NHL may trend for a brighter future than the Macklin Celebrini-led Sharks.

Schneider’s deal

Because Schneider is under 27 and hasn’t played seven seasons in the NHL, he will become a restricted free agent (RFA) when his two-year, $4.4 million contract expires after the 2025-26 campaign.

Schneider’s production has been far from what the Rangers expected out of a former first-rounder. So far in his career, Schneider has appeared in 348 games, recording 82 points (20 goals and 62 assists).

Rangers face decision on Schneider

All signs indicate the Rangers may be close to waving the white flag, giving up on Schneider’s development, and allowing the 24-year-old blueliner to continue his NHL career elsewhere. That seems to be common sentiment around the Blueshirts.

However, a lot can happen until the offseason. A strong finish to the 2025-26 season may change it all, and convince the Rangers that they’ve found their defenseman of the future in Schneider, who has a lot of games on his back but it is still very young.

The Islanders needed overtime to defeat the red-hot San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in the “Capital of Silicon Valley”. It was a heated matchup between up-and-coming, cross-conference opponents. However, nothing is truly free in the NHL, and even Horvat, who scored the game-winner, must now pay a price.

“NY Islanders’ Bo Horvat has been fined $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct for an incident involving San Jose’s bench,” as confirmed by @NHLPlayerSafety on X.

What did Horvat do?

Though the NHL didn’t provide the exact details of the incident that led to Horvat’s $2,500 fine, fans can get a good idea of what event the league is now addressing. During a scrum near the Sharks’ bench, Horvat exchanged some words with Sharks’ William Eklund, who was off the ice.

In that encounter, the veteran forward delivered a light, upswinging tap at Eklund’s visor, causing his helmet to almost come off. It wasn’t overly aggressive nor ill-intentioned; still, the NHL bars players on the ice from engaging in any physical dispute with those on the bench.

Whether there’s more to the story (perhaps something Horvat said to Eklund or another player) has yet to be reported. Thus, all signs indicate it was the contact with Eklund that led to the fine, which is about half of what the maximum allowable fine would be under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Because of his age, there are countless things Celebrini is not yet allowed to do. However, becoming a national icon in Canada is not one of them. Joining a roster featuring the likes of Crosby, McDavid, MacKinnon, and many more, Celebrini stole the spotlight.

Still, the fact him and Canada only—which for the Great White North is little consolation—have just a silver medal to show for does not sit right. As the 2025–26 NHL season resumes, the face of the San Jose Sharks franchise wasted no time sending a bold message.

“We didn’t win, so it’s bitter,” Celebrini admitted, according to NHL.com. “It’s sour that we didn’t win and we came that close, especially everything that we fought through. But I mean, [we] can’t change it now.”

Celebrini and Sharks push for a playoff spot

While the loss with Canada in the gold medal game remains an open wound for Celebrini, he will have opportunities to find closure. Namely in the 2030 Winter Olympics. Still that is a long way down the road. In the more immediate future, Celebrini vies to further establish his place among the new faces of the NHL.

On that note, nothing may be better than for the 2024-25 Calder Memorial Trophy nominee (the NHL’s Rookie of the Year) to lead the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. San Jose has proven to be well ahead of schedule in its rebuild. A postseason berth in Celebrini’s sophomore season would only confirm that the rest of the league is now swimming in shark-infested waters.

Coming off the break, the Sharks sit five points behind the second wild-card team, the Seattle Kraken (63 points), with two games in hand. Becoming a playoff team just one year after finishing dead last in the league may not have happened in Celebrini’s wildest dreams, but it is now quite plausible.

Celebrini and San Jose’s future looks bright

San Jose is currently mired in a six-year playoff drought, and many fans were ready to throw in the towel. However, since Celebrini was drafted first overall in 2024, the fan base in the Capital of Silicon Valley has seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and the future looks bright.

The Sharks now boast one of the most appealing outlooks in the league, and Celebrini’s showcase alongside McDavid and Crosby in Milan only helped fuel growing NHL interest in the city. It may not take long before top free agents begin to view San Jose as a preferred destination—largely thanks to the new teenage sensation in town, Macklin Celebrini.