San Jose Sharks Prospect Ranking 2025

2025-02-10

It’s been about a year since we ranked the prospects in the Sharks system and it’s about time to take a fresh look at where they stand currently. Only one player has graduated from the prospect list from last season, Alex Vlasic has been a regular in the Sharks lineup this season and looks like he’s here to stay. The stats mentioned are current as of Feb 10, 2025. Let’s get to it and see what’s on the horizon:

 

  1. Matvei Michkov RW 5’10” 176 lbs – Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

NHL Stats: 55 GP / 16 G / 20 A / 36 P / 38 PIM / -15

Acquired: 4th overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 1

No change at the top of the list from last year, Michkov is still the top prospect in the system. Unlike last year though, there is more certainty on the EHE arrival. Michkov got out of his KHL deal in the off-season, signed his ELC, and has been one of the top rookies in the NHL this year. The offensive smarts have been on full display, he’s been terrific with his work along the boards and around the net, finding open teammates, and just anticipating the play well. Unfortunately, he isn’t surrounded by high end talent and a lot of his passes to open teammates end up whiffed on or miss the net. On the other side of the puck, it’s been a mixed bag. After a benching for lack of effort on the backcheck, he was a plus player over the next few games and looked to have taken the benching in stride. He doesn’t appear to be catching up to Hutson or Celebrini in the Calder race but is putting together a nice season regardless.

EHE Future Outlook: He will debut for the Sharks next season and is very likely to make the team.

 

 

  1. Cayden Lindstrom C/LW 6’4” 214 lbs – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

WHL Stats: N/A

Acquired: 3rd overall 2024 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: NR

There’s still a ton of uncertainty with Lindstrom due to the severity of his injury and the long road to recovery. NHL GMs were quoted saying they didn’t feel the injury was a big deal on NHL draft day and Lindstrom was still selected 4th overall. Fast forward to today, Lindstrom was only getting to about 90% health and could not get the extra 10% to be completely pain free that the Jackets are looking for before returning him to junior. So, he’s had another minor surgery to help him get back to full health. If I could re-do my selection on draft day I would probably still take the shot on Lindstrom, the combination of size and skill is just too much to overlook.

EHE Future Outlook: If he can get back to playing this season, it would be a nice reassurance. But as it stands now, he could end up back in the WHL next season putting his EHE debut much further out.

 

 

  1. Jiri Kulich C/W 6’1” 185 lbs – Buffalo Sabres (NHL)

NHL Stats: 40 GP / 11 G / 5 A / 16 P / 12 PIM / +1

Acquired: 16th overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 2

Kulich spent his draft year on the wing in the Czech league playing against men, when he arrived in Rochester with the Americans in the AHL he was tested at the center position to mixed results. This season he was fairly invisible in a bottom 6 role with the Sabres to start the year but looked far too good for the AHL. When he was called back up after only 4 games he was tested again at center, but this time has been showing promising results. Clutch scoring and tight defense have gotten praise from coach Lindy Ruff so far.

EHE Future Outlook: He’s in year two on the Barracuda and will get a good look on the pro team next season.

 

 

  1. Trey Augustine G 6’1” 194 lbs – Michigan State University (NCAA)

NCAA Stats: 23 GP / 2.07 GAA / .926 SV% / 15W-5L-3T

Acquired: 34th overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 3

Augustine has been lights out in the NCAA to this point showing off his calm, relaxed style in net. He moves fluidly in net and has great awareness of where he is in the crease at all times, he’s great at closing off the posts and preventing jam plays including stopping a few Michigan goal attempts. His bad games are few and far between, but when he does have an off game it’s his rebound control and puck tracking that appears off the mark. He’s a winner everywhere he goes with a U18 gold & silver medal, U20 he has two golds and a bronze. That winning pedigree is the reason he’s so highly touted.

EHE Future Outlook: It’s tough to guess on when he’ll turn pro. I would assume Detroit is in no rush to get him in the AHL as he’s currently behind Cossa in the depth chart. For the sake of having an arrival time, I’ll guess he’ll debut in the EHE farm in 2026-27 season.

 

 

  1. Brad Lambert C/RW 6’0” 183 lbs – Manitoba Moose (AHL)

AHL Stats: 32 GP / 3 G / 16 A / 19 P / 10 PIM / -12

Acquired: 34th overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 4

What a perplexing player Lambert is. He was playing in Liiga at the age of 16, albeit only 4 games at that age, but also had a strong 17 year old season. He really struggled to find his game in his draft season and a move to a new team in Liiga saw no change to his disappointing production. Post NHL draft he moved to the WHL and looked heads and shoulders above his age group, propelling him up prospect rankings. Now this season is seeing his production slip again although this one might be chalked up to the entire Moose team looking underwhelming. This up and down play makes it hard to project what he’ll be as a pro. Is there top 6 upside? Can he find a niche as a bottom 6er? I guess we’ll wait and see.

EHE Future Outlook: Most likely will be back on the farm team for a 3rd EHE season next year.

 

 

  1. Scott Morrow RHD 6’2” 194 lbs – Chicago Wolves (AHL)

AHL Stats: 41 GP / 10 G / 19 A / 29 P / 35 PIM / +2

Acquired: 41st overall 2021 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 5

Morrow brings a unique blend of size and skill as a defender. He’s constantly activating from the back end and loves playing with the puck on his stick. This sometimes leads to plays that make you question his defensive ability but that comes with players who are always thinking offense. He has been slowly improving in this area though and is a big reason why Carolina decided to give him some AHL time prior to making his pro debut.

EHE Future Outlook: Debuted on the farm team in the EHE this season and is likely to spend next season there as well before getting a look in the pros.

 

 

  1. Liam Ohgren W 6’1” 187 lbs – Iowa Wild (AHL)

AHL Stats: 25 GP / 12 G / 11 A / 23 P / 6 PIM / -2

Acquired: 17th overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 6

There’s a lot to like with Ohgren’s game. He has a hard, accurate wrist shot with a bit of a deceptive release. He plays a complete 200 foot game. He uses his frame to shield pucks and to knock other players off the puck. His game looks tailor made for the pros. The Wild have been fairly cautious with him so far, making sure they don’t just dump him into a checking role and not giving him good opportunities. The knock on Ohgren has always been his foot speed and lack of explosiveness in his game, but you can really tell the Wild have had him working with a skating coach as his skating does look like it’s been improving.

EHE Future Outlook: Making his EHE debut on the farm team this year and will compete for a pro spot in camp next season.

 

 

  1. Ilya Nabokov G 6’1” 179 lbs – Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)

KHL Stats: 38 GP / 2.24 GAA / .924 SV% / 18W-14L-0OTL

Acquired: 33rd overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: NR

Nabokov does not possess the ideal size for goalies and was passed over in his first year of eligibility. He had such a strong season last year that he was viewed as one of the top options for goalies and ended up the top goaltender selected in our EHE draft. He’s quick and aggressive in the net, cutting down angles and making athletic saves. He’s elite moving from post to post and tracks pucks well. There are some inconsistencies in his game which can show in the lull of a season, but he’s been building a track record for being a big game goalie.

EHE Future Outlook: All indications he’ll be heading to Colorado when the KHL season is finished. This will make his EHE debut likely in two seasons.

 

 

  1. Brodie Ziemer RW 5’11” 196 lbs – University of Minnesota (NCAA)

NCAA Stats: 28 GP / 11 G / 8 A / 19 P / 21 PIM / +11

Acquired: 65th overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: NR

I enjoy watching the U18 tournaments for scouting ahead of the EHE drafts, and Ziemer was someone who stood out to me from my viewing. He was the one driving play on his line on a stacked US team. He had a bit of a slower start this year as a freshman at Minnesota but has really stepped up his game since the WJC this year. He’s a guy that can play up and down a lineup whether it’s playing in a top 6 role on a scoring line or grinding in a bottom 6 checking role.

EHE Future Outlook: I don’t have any inkling on when Ziemer will turn pro. I wouldn’t be in a rush to get to Buffalo.

 

 

  1. Ryan Chesley RHD 6’0” 194 lbs – University of Minnesota (NCAA)

NCAA Stats: 30 GP / 7 G / 10 A / 17 P / 29 PIM / +19

Acquired: 27th overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 9

Ziemer’s teammate with the Gophers, Chesley was approached by the Capitals to sign his ELC last off-season but chose to return for a third season in Minnesota and was rewarded with the captaincy. This season he’s seen a dramatic improvement in his offensive game, being relied on heavier to produce and he has done just that, almost surpassing his offensive totals from his first two seasons combined while still being a strong defensive player.

EHE Future Outlook: Every indication would point to Chesley turning pro at the end of the NCAA season. A safe bet would have him arriving with the Barracuda in the 2026-27 season.

 

 

  1. Cameron Lund C/LW 6’2” 192 lbs – Northeastern University (NCAA)

NCAA Stats: 25 GP / 11 G / 15 A / 26 P / 8 PIM / -1

Acquired: 47th overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 10

Lund is having his best season in the NCAA so far, matching his goal total from last year in ten less games. He’s shown improvement all around too with his play without the puck and winning more faceoffs. I’m still not sure if he’ll be a center in the pros but his game does seem tailor made for the wing with his heavy and accurate shot.

EHE Future Outlook: I do expect him to sign with the Sharks when his season is over. He may get a look in the NHL but will likely be in the AHL next season.

 

 

  1. Cam Allen RHD 6’0” 196 lbs – London Knights (OHL)

OHL Stats: 45 GP / 11 G / 31 A / 42 P / 57 PIM / +16

Acquired: 99th overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 12

Allen was having himself quite the bounce back year in Guelph and was looking great since being traded to London. Unfortunately, a drunk driving incident may hang over him for the rest of the year and he’s likely to get suspended in the OHL for his actions.

EHE Future Outlook: He’s already inked to an ELC so he’ll be in the AHL next season. EHE debut will be in two years.

 

 

  1. A.J. Spellacy RW 6’3” 205 lbs – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

OHL Stats: 47 GP / 13 G / 15 A / 28 P / 50 PIM / +4

Acquired: 91st overall 2024 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: NR

AJ’s game stands out from the pack with his speed and large frame. He’s hard to miss out there and the Black Hawks took notice, giving him an extended look in training camp and signing him to an ELC. Biggest question mark is how will his offence develop and will it translate at the next level? He might have a limited ceiling but the floor is high.

EHE Future Outlook: It’s OHL or NHL for Spellacy next year. Betting favourite would be the OHL to polish his offensive game.

 

 

  1. Filip Mesar RW 5’10” 172 lbs – Laval Rockets (AHL)

AHL Stats: 23 GP / 2 G / 7 A / 9 P / 14 PIM / +5

Acquired: 21st overall 2022 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 7

I really like Mesar’s game but there are questions on his offensive ceiling and those are fair concerns. He needs offensive minded linemates in order to utilize his elite zone entries and needs to get into better scoring areas when setup in the zone. He skates well, has a good shot, and is okay defensively.

EHE Future Outlook: Will be with the Barracuda in the EHE next season.

 

 

  1. Martin Misiak C/W 6’1” 201 lbs – Erie Otters (OHL)

OHL Stats: 41 GP / 16 G / 23 A / 39 P / 12 PIM / -14

Acquired: 67th overall 2023 EHE draft / Last Season Rank: 13

Misiak is an interesting prospect, scouts and draft pundits don’t seem too high on him with question marks surrounding his defensive play. The Hawks seem to believe in him as they already signed him to his ELC and will join Rockford when his OHL season is done.

EHE Future Outlook: Probably won’t get the required games in to be on next seasons AHL roster. So another season away.

 

Honourable Mentions:

Nate Misskey RHD, Colton Roberts RHD, Ondrej Becher C/W, Massimo Rizzo C, Ethan Hay C




Stephen Gough

Nice write up

San Jose Sharks Prospect Ranking 2025
Top 15 players in the Sharks system

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