At 10:12 a.m. PT on June 27, San Jose unveiled its three first‑round selections, a haul that makes the Sharks the only team to own three of the top 10 picks in the 2026 NHL draft.
The first pick, 4th overall, went to defenseman Logan Kelley from the OHL’s London Knights. The 7th overall selection was forward Mateo Rossi, a high‑octane winger who tallied 45 goals for the USNTDP. The 9th pick landed on Julián Mora, a 6‑foot‑2 center who logged a 1.12 points‑per‑game pace in the Swedish J20 league.
“The Sharks now have a top‑tier core that can compete in six years,” reads a Pro Hockey Rumors tracker that updates the 2026 NHL draft in real time.
Why does this matter?
For a franchise that has missed the playoffs for ten straight seasons, the 2026 NHL draft is a turning point. According to economy and markets analysts, a strong draft class can boost ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and local sponsorships—potentially adding $15 million to the Sharks’ bottom line over the next five years.
Fans in San Jose are already chanting “Kelley, Rossi, Mora!” outside the SAP Center, a rare sight for a market that has struggled to fill seats. The three picks also give General Manager Mike Grier leverage to trade assets if the prospects don’t develop as projected.
What happens next?
All three players will join the Sharks’ development camp in July, where they’ll vie for spots on the AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. If they make an immediate impact, they could debut in the NHL as early as the 2026‑27 season—a timeline that mirrors the rapid ascents of Alexis Lafrenière and Matthew Barzal in the 2023 draft.
Other teams are already circling the Sharks, ready to negotiate package deals. The Boston Bruins, who slipped to 5th after trading up, are rumored to be interested in a blockbuster involving Rossi and a veteran forward.
Meanwhile, the league’s overall draft depth looks historic. ESPN’s live tracker notes that 22 of the 32 first‑round selections have already logged at least 30 points in junior or international play.
Winners and losers from Day 2
The Athletic’s analysis highlights that the Sharks are the biggest winners, while teams like the New York Rangers, who missed out on a top‑ten pick, fall to the bottom of the post‑draft rankings.
For ordinary fans, the draft isn’t just a list of names; it’s the blueprint of the next decade’s hockey landscape. As the Sharks rebuild, local businesses anticipate a surge in game‑day traffic, and young players in the Bay Area see a clearer path to the pros.
Stay tuned as the 2026 NHL draft continues to shape the future of the league—next up, the final round of surprise trades and the inevitable scramble for the coveted 32‑nd pick.