Sharks' Playoff Miss Not a Disappointment in Rebuilding Year

San Jose's young core provides hope for the future despite likely missing the 2025-26 NHL playoffs.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:13pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with sharp planes of teal, orange, and navy blue representing the San Jose Sharks' young core and their journey towards long-term success.The Sharks' rebuilding process, though painful in the short term, lays the foundation for a promising future.San Jose Today

The San Jose Sharks are in danger of missing the NHL playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but with a focus on building through the draft and developing elite young talent, this season's potential playoff miss should not be considered a disappointment for the organization. General manager Mike Grier has been transparent about the team's rebuilding process, which has included securing high draft picks and assembling a promising core of players like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Sam Dickinson.

Why it matters

The Sharks' current struggles are part of a necessary rebuilding process to position the team for long-term success. While missing the playoffs would be disappointing for fans in the short term, the organization's commitment to building through the draft and developing young stars provides a clear path to becoming a perennial contender in the years ahead.

The details

The Sharks have lost seven of their last 10 games and now sit four points behind the eighth-place Nashville Predators in the Western Conference standings, though San Jose has three games in hand. This recent skid has put the team's playoff hopes in jeopardy, but Grier and the organization have maintained a long-term view, prioritizing the development of their young core over immediate postseason success.

  • The Sharks' recent six-game losing streak ended on March 28, 2026.
  • San Jose currently sits in 12th place in the Western Conference standings as of March 30, 2026.

The players

Mike Grier

The general manager of the San Jose Sharks, who has been transparent about the team's rebuilding process and focus on developing young talent.

Macklin Celebrini

A superstar center and the Sharks' generational talent, acquired through the draft as part of the team's rebuilding efforts.

Will Smith

A budding star forward drafted fourth overall by the Sharks in 2023 as part of the team's rebuild.

Michael Misa

A dynamic young asset added by the Sharks with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Sam Dickinson

A 19-year-old defenseman who is part of the Sharks' promising young core.

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What they’re saying

“The hardest suffering is really now all behind the Sharks.”

— Adam Proteau, Writer

“Soon enough, all this misery they've gone through will be seen as necessary for a new generation of San Jose stars – and maybe, just maybe, for the franchise's first Cup.”

— Adam Proteau, Writer

What’s next

The Sharks will look to add another top draft pick this summer to further bolster their promising young core as they continue their rebuilding process.

The takeaway

While missing the playoffs would be disappointing in the short term, the Sharks' commitment to rebuilding through the draft and developing elite young talent provides a clear path to long-term success. This season's potential playoff miss should be seen as a necessary step in the team's journey to becoming a perennial contender.