Baby Sharks: Three Prospects Who Could Make NHL Debuts This Upcoming Season

The Sharks still have one of the NHL’s best prospect pools.

The night is always darkest just before dawn. Well, folks, dawn is almost here for the new season. Training camp is on the horizon.

Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have been spotted in the Bay Area. The San Jose Sharks are almost back.

With the new season, new opportunities will arise for some of the Sharks’ top prospects.

So who can fans look forward to seeing this season?

Quentin Musty

Quentin Musty will really have to earn any ice time this season. The Sharks forward group is crowded to capacity. San Jose already traded William Eklund to make room for Ivar Stenberg. Then in free agency, they added Mason Marchment. There are just not enough spots in the lineup for everyone.

With all that said, though, Musty has been a top prospect for a few years now. He made a strong case for himself last training camp, but the Sharks ultimately decided to keep him with the Barracuda all of last season. Musty will need to prove himself again this year to have a chance at the opening night roster.

However, Musty should make his debut at some point in 2026-27. Injuries unfortunately happen. If Musty has another fantastic training camp, GM Mike Grier will have no choice but to give the kid a chance.

Eric Pohlkamp

If the Sharks had made the playoffs last season, Eric Pohlkamp would probably have made his debut already. There is no question the Sharks’ defense was dreadful. They needed something to spark them. Pohlkamp would have been that spark.

Instead, Pohlkamp’s season was finished after winning the NCAA national championship for the University of Denver. Injuries prevented his debut with the Barracuda.

Pohlkamp will likely be the top defenseman for the Barracuda. He will keep developing without the pressure of being the top guy in the NHL. However, if the Sharks get into a slump and need some pop from the defense, watch for Pohlkamp to come in for a few games to see what he can do.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius

If Pohlkamp can be an offensive spark, Leo Sahlin Wallenius will be the defensive spark. The young Swede will make his North American debut this season. The first year is usually difficult for players coming from overseas—complete culture shock.

Sahlin Wallenius will most likely spend his season with the Barracuda. Again, letting him grow and develop with minimal pressure. The Sharks do have Swedes in the system: Stenberg and Alexander Wennberg. With Wennberg being a leader in the Sharks’ locker room, that could also carry over to Sahlin Wallenius.

Again, injuries happen. If the Sharks are in a situation where they need help on the blueline, Sahlin Wallenius could see NHL minutes for a couple of games.

The Sharks prospect pool doesn’t end with those three, but I think they will have the best chances to make their debuts next season. It shows what a phenomenal job Grier has done rebuilding the franchise. Executive of the year loading?

Sharks fans will get to see the prospects in the NHL Rookie Faceoff tournament in a couple of weeks. The mini tournament will take place September 12-15.

After that, we get right into training camp. See you soon, Sharks fans!