Sharks Excited for Pohlkamp, Discuss 2026 Draft Prospects

Draft expert Chris Peters breaks down the Sharks' 2026 draft strategy and Eric Pohlkamp's potential impact this season.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 2:57am

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In a recent podcast, draft expert Chris Peters discussed his excitement around San Jose Sharks prospect Eric Pohlkamp and the team's strategy heading into the 2026 NHL Draft. Peters analyzed top draft prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer, and shared his thoughts on which defensemen the Sharks should target. The conversation also touched on the Sharks' current playoff push and whether Celebrini could be the MVP even if the team misses the postseason.

Why it matters

The Sharks are in a playoff position, but their long-term success will depend on their ability to draft and develop top talent. Peters' insights provide valuable perspective on the team's draft strategy and the potential impact of prospects like Pohlkamp.

The details

Peters highlighted his excitement around Pohlkamp, a Sharks prospect, and the possibility of the team packaging their two first-round picks to move up in the 2026 Draft. He also discussed top prospects like Celebrini and Schaefer, and shared his rankings of the top defensemen in the draft class. The conversation also touched on the Sharks' current playoff push, with Peters weighing in on whether Celebrini could be the MVP even if the team misses the postseason.

  • The podcast was recorded on April 4, 2026.

The players

Chris Peters

A respected NHL draft expert who provides analysis and insights on the Sharks and the upcoming draft.

Eric Pohlkamp

A Sharks prospect who Peters is excited about and believes could make an impact this season.

Macklin Celebrini

A top draft prospect who has emerged as a potential MVP candidate, even if the Sharks don't make the playoffs.

Matthew Schaefer

Another highly-touted draft prospect that Peters discussed in the context of the Sharks' draft strategy.

Connor Bedard

A highly-regarded draft prospect that Peters mentioned in the conversation.

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What they’re saying

“Can Pohlkamp help the Sharks this season? Why is Peters excited about his ceiling?”

— Chris Peters, Draft expert

“Is Celebrini the MVP, even if the Sharks don't make the playoffs?”

— Chris Peters, Draft expert

What’s next

The Sharks will continue to monitor the development of prospects like Pohlkamp and evaluate their options heading into the 2026 NHL Draft, where they will look to add top talent to bolster their roster for the future.

The takeaway

The Sharks' long-term success will depend on their ability to draft and develop top talent, and Peters' insights provide valuable perspective on the team's draft strategy and the potential impact of prospects like Pohlkamp. The team's current playoff push has also raised questions about the MVP-caliber performance of Celebrini, which could have significant implications for the team's future.