Stenberg Off to Fast Start as Sharks Preseason Wraps Up
The short version
- Ivar Stenberg, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has five points, three goals and a plus-3 in two preseason games.
- Stenberg scored a hat trick in a 10-0 preseason win over Anaheim on Sept. 24.
- San Jose scored 249 goals in 2025-26, up 41 from the prior season, but missed the playoffs by four points.
- Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov also had multi-point games in the win over the Ducks.
- The Sharks open the regular season at home against Florida on Oct. 1.
Ivar Stenberg has five points in two preseason games, headlining a young San Jose core heading into the regular season.
Ivar Stenberg, taken second overall by San Jose at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, has made an immediate impression through two exhibition appearances. The rookie forward has produced five points, including three goals, while posting a plus-3 rating.
Stenberg scored three times in Thursday's 10-0 preseason victory over the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center on Sept. 24. While exhibition results carry no official weight and lineups are not always at full NHL strength, the start has raised expectations around a franchise viewed as one of the league's most promising young teams. A continued level of production once the regular season begins would put him in the Calder Trophy conversation.
The 19-year-old arrived in San Jose following a stint with Frolunda HC in Sweden, where he registered 33 points and 11 goals over 43 regular-season games, then added four assists in six playoff appearances. His showing this fall improves his chances of earning significant ice time as his NHL career begins.
Stenberg joins a young foundation that features captain Macklin Celebrini along with Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Sam Dickinson. The roster also carries an established veteran group that includes Alex Wennberg, Mason Marchment, Tyler Toffoli, Darnell Nurse, and Jacob Trouba.
San Jose is coming off a 2025-26 campaign in which it scored 249 goals, an improvement of 41 over the previous season, but fell four points short of a playoff berth. The offense has been trending toward dangerous territory with the puck, and Stenberg adds another weapon to that group.
Thursday's rout also featured strong nights from other young Sharks. Misa finished with four points and a goal, building on a 2025-26 rookie showing of 21 points and nine goals in 45 games while averaging 12:49 of ice time. Igor Chernyshov contributed two goals and three points after posting 19 points and nine goals in 28 games at 15:03 of average ice time last season.
Together, Stenberg, Misa, and Chernyshov are forming a deep supporting cast around Celebrini. Whether the group can stay healthy and consistent across an 84-game schedule will help determine whether the Sharks build on last season.
San Jose closes its preseason Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, with coverage beginning at 10:00 PM EDT on Scripps Sports and NHL Net. The regular season opens at home against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 1.
Games to watch
