Sharks' games against Oilers, Ducks could highlight one big area of need

San Jose Sharks look to find or develop a defenseman who can provide consistent offense from the back end

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:40pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game or match, with sharp planes of teal, orange, and navy blue overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition that captures the energy and movement of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the Sharks' search for offensive-minded defensemen to bolster their blue line.San Jose Today

The San Jose Sharks have some promising young forwards, but their defense corps is an area of concern as they try to become perennial playoff contenders. Going into their games against the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks, the Sharks ranked 21st in the NHL in points from their defensemen. Veteran Dmitry Orlov leads the team's blueliners, but several other key defensemen are pending free agents. The Sharks are hoping rookie Sam Dickinson and others can step up and provide more offense from the back end, which has proven crucial for playoff-bound teams.

Why it matters

The Sharks' ability to find or develop offensive-minded defensemen could be a key factor in their push to return to the playoffs. Teams that get consistent scoring from the back end tend to have more success, and the Sharks will be closely evaluated in that area against high-powered offenses like the Oilers and Ducks.

The details

The Sharks have 131 points from their defensemen this season, ranking 21st in the NHL. Veteran Dmitry Orlov leads the team with 34 points, but several other key blueliners like John Klingberg, Mario Ferraro, Nick Leddy, and Vincent Desharnais are all pending unrestricted free agents. The Sharks are hoping rookie Sam Dickinson, who had 122 points in major junior last season, can help provide more offense from the back end. Barracuda defenseman Luca Cagnoni and draft picks Leo Sahlin-Wallenius and Eric Pohlkamp also have offensive upside, but it's unclear if they'll be NHL-ready next season.

  • The Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The Sharks travel to face the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A young forward for the San Jose Sharks.

Will Smith

A young forward for the San Jose Sharks.

William Eklund

A young forward for the San Jose Sharks.

Dmitry Orlov

A veteran defenseman for the San Jose Sharks who leads the team in points from the blue line.

Sam Dickinson

A rookie defenseman for the San Jose Sharks who had impressive offensive numbers in junior hockey and is hoping to provide a boost on the back end.

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What they’re saying

“It's no secret. You need top defensemen, and they're hard to find. You hope to develop them, whether that's through the draft or through the minors, whether that's a free agent or a trade. We'll figure that out at some point.”

— Ryan Warsofsky, Sharks coach

“Being confident in the fact that I can make a lot of things happen on the ice and be a really good player. That's been big for me.”

— Sam Dickinson, Sharks rookie defenseman

What’s next

The Sharks will continue to evaluate their defensive corps and look for ways to add more offense from the back end, either through development of young players like Dickinson or potential free agent or trade acquisitions in the offseason.

The takeaway

The Sharks' ability to find or develop a defenseman or two who can consistently contribute offensively will be a key factor in their quest to return to the playoffs. Teams that get scoring from their blue line tend to have more success, and the Sharks will be closely watched in that area against high-powered offenses like the Oilers and Ducks.