The San Jose Sharks missed the 2026 playoffs, but just barely. And for a team that was supposed to be in full rebuild mode, that close call says something. It says Macklin Celebrini is already the real deal. It says the defense held up longer than expected. And it says the front office is serious about accelerating the timeline.
On Wednesday, the Sharks made their first notable offseason move: they traded for defenseman Michael Kesselring and the 27th overall pick in next week’s NHL Draft. The price? Moving down seven spots, sending the 20th overall pick (originally from Edmonton in the Jake Walman deal) to Buffalo.
Why This Deal Works for San Jose
Kesselring played only 34 games last season with the Sabres due to injury, putting up two assists and zero goals. That stat line doesn’t pop off the page. But the Sharks aren’t buying the stat line — they’re buying the potential.
Two years ago, Kesselring posted 29 points with the Utah Mammoth (then still the Arizona Coyotes). He followed that with another 20-plus-point season before the move to Buffalo. He moves the puck. He skates well. At 26, he’s still young enough to be part of the next good Sharks team.
Here’s the thing: before this trade, San Jose had only three NHL-caliber defensemen under contract for next season. One of them, Dmitry Orlov, hits free agency next summer. The depth chart was thin. Kesselring doesn’t fix everything, but he fills a hole — and at a manageable cost.
“We like Michael’s game. He brings mobility, he brings size, and we think there’s another level there,” one league source told reporters. “The injury stuff is a concern, but the upside is real.”
Draft Implications Add Another Layer
The swap also gives San Jose flexibility at the draft table. The Sharks hold the No. 2 overall pick from the lottery. Now they also hold No. 27. They could package those picks to move up. They could stand pat and load up on prospects. No one outside the war room knows yet — but the options are wide open.
Buffalo, meanwhile, moves up seven spots. The Sabres are chasing immediate gains. The Sharks are building something patient. That difference in philosophy shows in this trade.
Timeline Lines Up
San Jose doesn’t have to compete in 2027. The pressure is low. But the foundation needs to be laid now. Kesselring fits that window: he can develop alongside younger blueliners like Shakir Mukhamadullin and Luca Cagnoni, and if he stays healthy, he could be a top-four fixture by the time this team is ready to contend.
This isn’t the splashy move that sells jerseys. It’s the kind of move that fills cracks. And for a team that almost crashed the playoff party a year early, that might be exactly what the offseason needs.
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