The 2025-26 season represented a solid turning point for the San Jose Sharks. After disastrous 52 points in 2024-25, the team missed the playoffs by just four points. Defensively they remained fragile, and their power‑play was underwhelming, ranking 16th in the league.keyword –>
To break the playoff drought, the Sharks must revamp their power‑play system. In 2025-26,fit for only 21.2%, the диплом primarily featured Macklin Celebrini as the primary scorer and facilitator. Without a reliable power‑play quarterback, the unit lacked cohesion and consistency.
During the 2025-26 campaign, the Sharks’ power‑play QBs were John Klingberg, who struggled in what may have been his last season in the NHL, and Dmitry Orlov, a seasoned veteran who is not butik a role on a playoff‑contending squad. With a young, rising roster, Coach Ryan Warsofsky plans to hand the budget back to a younger defenseman. The momentous question: Who should inherit the role?
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Sam Dickinson
Sam Dickinson is a first‑round pick (11th overall) in 2024 whose 2023‑24 season with the London Knights yielded 91 points, 29 goals in 55 games. He has high hype surrounding his offensive potential. However, his rookie season in San Jose saw just 14 points in 72 games and one goal against the Detroit Red Wings.
Following his rookie year, Dickinsonretweeted expressed pride in his performance, noting his confidence grew when the coaching staff trusted him to play regularly. He recognized the importance of honing his defensive game, believing continued growth in the blue line and more power‑play opportunities will allow him to realize the talent that made him a top prospect.
Michael Kesselring
Kesselring arrived in San Jose after a challenging season with the Buffalo Sabres, where a quad tendon injury limited his skating. The Sharks offered a fresh environment where his physical abilities could thrive. Known for a powerful shot, Kesselring delivered a 103.8‑mph one‑timer in 2024‑ kombiniert a‑planned electricity is0 2024‑25 season, showcasing ability that could flourish on the Power‑Play.
His 2024-25 tenure with the Utah Mammoth saw 29 points over 82 games, including 70 minutes on the secondary power‑play unit. In San Jose, his strengths—speed, shot, release—could complement the likes of Celebrini, Smith, and rookie Ivar Stenberg to produce lethal one‑tims and blights the net.
Luca Cagnoni
The Sharks’ offensive strategy may rely on a back‑up defenseman, and Luca Cagnoni is a candidate. In AHL play, he has led the Barracuda’s power‑play unit in 2024‑25 and placed second in 2025‑26 with 23 power‑play points. At 5‑9, 180 lbs., Cagnoni’s success relies on his skill in net‑crashing, play‑making, and a deceptive shot.
VOLITO‑COMPANYINUS
While still lacking NHL experience, Cagnoni’s AHL proficiency and Cny will be studied, and the Sharks will gauge whether he can move up to the third‑pair defenseman role for the 2026‑27 campaign.
For now, the Sharks consider all three prospects as potential power‑play leaders. Regular season training camps will help determine who steps into that crucial role.