San Jose Sharks

Sharks surge with new talent and young star breakouts.

San Jose's dramatic improvement this season is primarily due to significant roster turnover bringing in fresh talent and providing greater opportunity for their young core. Macklin Celebrini has exploded with 96 points in 68 games (1.41 pt/gm) compared to 0.90 pt/gm last year, while Will Smith has also seen a breakout, posting 45 points in 55 games (0.82 pt/gm) vs 0.61 pt/gm previously. The addition of players like Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg on defense, and Kiefer Sherwood up front, along with improved goaltending from Yaroslav Askarov (.886 SV% vs .875 last year for Georgiev), has transformed the team's competitiveness.

Macklin CelebriniBreakout

proj. 116 pts this season vs 63 last season

Will SmithBreakout

proj. 56 pts this season vs 45 last season

Yaroslav AskarovBreakout

.886 SV% this season vs .875 for last season's starter

Mikael GranlundDeparted

0 GP this year vs 52 last year