Sharks July Roster Projection: Forward Battles Ahead of Training Camp

As July draws to a close, the San Jose Sharks find themselves on the cusp of a pivotal training camp this September, where competition for roster spots will heat up. With the 2026-27 season looming, players are eager to secure their place on the ice as the Sharks gear up for Opening Night.

At this stage of the summer, players can be categorized into three distinct groups: locks, bubble players, and long shots. Over the next few days, we’ll delve into each player’s standing and provide insight into what the Sharks’ forward lineup might look like when the puck drops. Today, we kick off with the forwards.

Among the forwards, nine players are clear locks for the roster on October 1. Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Michael Misa are viewed as the future stars of the franchise and are expected to play significant roles moving forward. Meanwhile, veterans like Mason Marchment, Kiefer Sherwood, Alexander Wennberg, and Zack Ostapchuk are in the first year of lucrative contracts, making their inclusion in the everyday lineup all but certain.

Tyler Toffoli and Barclay Goodrow round out the lock category. Toffoli, a well-respected presence in the locker room, experienced a dip in performance last season, but the Sharks are hopeful for a resurgence. Despite his struggles, his full no-trade clause suggests he’ll remain with the team for at least another season. Goodrow, a favorite of both General Manager Mike Grier and head coach Ryan Warsofsky, played all 82 games last season. While his performance has drawn mixed reviews from fans, it seems unlikely he will be removed from the Opening Night roster.

Moving on to the bubble players, Collin Graf finds himself in a precarious position. If his contract situation were resolved, Graf would likely be a lock given his impressive third-place finish in goals for the Sharks last season. He showed great chemistry with Celebrini and Smith, but with the recent signings of Sherwood, Marchment, and Ivar Stenberg, finding a spot for Graf in the top-six has become challenging.

Stenberg, who excelled in the Swedish Hockey League, is another player whose status is uncertain. While many see him as a potential lock, the Sharks might choose to ease him into the NHL environment, especially since he could report to the AHL if needed. Igor Chernyshov also faces a crowded forward group. Once viewed as a strong candidate for a full-time NHL role, his chances have diminished with the Sharks’ recent acquisitions.

Adam Gaudette and Ty Dellandrea are in a unique situation as well, likely vying for the role of the 13th forward. The competition for this spot will be keen, with both players needing to showcase their skills to avoid being placed on waivers.

Finally, the long shots include Quentin Musty, Filip Bystedt, Ethan Cardwell, and Patrick Giles. Musty possesses the highest potential but is expected to benefit more from top-six minutes in the AHL rather than a limited role in the NHL this season. Bystedt’s chances seem slim, while Cardwell and Giles could step into a depth role if the Sharks decide to move any of their bottom-six forwards. Their performance at training camp will be crucial in determining their future.

As training camp approaches, Sharks management faces some difficult decisions regarding their roster. With multiple players vying for limited spots, the competition promises to be intense.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.