Sharks' Missed Lottery Pick Could Have Created Superstar Duo

NHL analysts explore how drafting Matthew Schaefer could have transformed San Jose's future

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:18pm

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The San Jose Sharks finished the 2024-25 NHL season as the league's worst team, giving them the best odds in the 2025 draft lottery. However, luck did not follow, and the New York Islanders jumped up to secure the first overall pick and drafted Matthew Schaefer. NHL analysts Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski discussed how adding Schaefer to San Jose's young core of Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund could have created a dynamic duo reminiscent of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon, potentially transforming the Sharks' franchise.

Why it matters

The Sharks' missed opportunity to draft Schaefer highlights how a single lottery result can significantly impact the trajectory of an NHL franchise. While San Jose has found success building around Celebrini, the hypothetical pairing of Schaefer and Celebrini could have created one of the league's most exciting young duos, potentially accelerating the Sharks' rebuild and return to contention.

The details

Analysts Marek and Wyshynski argued that if the Sharks had won the 2025 draft lottery and selected Schaefer, the combination of the young defenseman with Celebrini, Smith, and Eklund could have formed a dynamic core for the next decade. Wyshynski even compared the potential duo of Schaefer and Celebrini to a modern version of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.

  • The San Jose Sharks finished the 2024-25 NHL season as the league's worst team.
  • The New York Islanders jumped up to secure the first overall pick in the 2025 draft lottery.
  • During a recent episode of 'The Sheet with Jeff Marek,' analysts Jeff Marek and Greg Wyshynski discussed the hypothetical scenario of the Sharks drafting Matthew Schaefer.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

A young defenseman drafted first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft, who has delivered a historic rookie season with 22 goals and 54 points in 73 games.

Macklin Celebrini

A franchise pillar for the San Jose Sharks, who has produced 96 points in 69 games during the 2025–26 season, placing him among the league leaders.

Will Smith

A young playmaker for the San Jose Sharks, who has added 47 points and grown into a strong contributor on the team's top power-play unit.

William Eklund

Part of the San Jose Sharks' rising young core, alongside Celebrini and Smith.

Jeff Marek

An NHL analyst who discussed the hypothetical scenario of the Sharks drafting Matthew Schaefer.

Greg Wyshynski

An NHL analyst who discussed the hypothetical scenario of the Sharks drafting Matthew Schaefer and compared the potential duo of Schaefer and Celebrini to a modern version of Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.

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What they’re saying

“I will say this, they [Sharks] don't deserve him because they have Macklin Celebrini, hold on, because they have Macklin Celebrini, and that is enough to resuscitate the franchise and point the Sharks forward for at least the next decade. Could you imagine Matthew Schaefer with Celebrini and Smith and Eklund and that team, my God.”

— Greg Wyshynski, NHL Analyst

“Could you find a better pick of youthful exuberance than Matthew Schaefer threading passes to Macklin Celebrini, the new Makar and MacKinnon for a new century.”

— Greg Wyshynski, NHL Analyst

“Yeah, that would be amazing. That would be fantastic.”

— Jeff Marek, NHL Analyst

What’s next

The Sharks will look to continue building around Macklin Celebrini and their young core, while the Islanders will aim to capitalize on Matthew Schaefer's historic rookie season and strengthen their blue line for the future.

The takeaway

This hypothetical scenario highlights the significant impact a single draft lottery result can have on an NHL franchise's trajectory. While the Sharks have found success building around Celebrini, the potential pairing of Schaefer and Celebrini could have created one of the league's most exciting young duos, potentially accelerating the Sharks' rebuild and return to contention.