Sharks' Rebuild Ignites in 10-0 Preseason Demolition of Ducks

Ivar Stenberg drifted into the right circle, found a seam in the defense, and snapped a power-play goal past the goaltender to complete his hat trick. The 18-year-old Swedish winger didn't just introduce himself to the SAP Center crowd on Thursday night; he helped orchestrate a massacre. The San Jose Sharks obliterated the Anaheim Ducks 10-0, delivering a violent preseason warning shot that their agonizing seven-year rebuild might finally be bearing fruit.[1][2]

Preseason hockey is traditionally an exercise in cautious evaluation, a time for veterans to stretch their legs and rookies to nervously fight for bottom-six minutes. But for a San Jose fanbase that has endured years of lottery-bound misery, Thursday's onslaught felt like an arrival. The Sharks' highly touted prospect pool, painstakingly assembled by general manager Mike Grier, took over the ice and refused to let go.[2]

Stenberg, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, looked entirely unbothered by the transition to North American ice. Fresh off a breakout campaign with Frölunda HC in the Swedish Hockey League—where he racked up 33 points in 43 games—Stenberg tallied three goals and an assist against Anaheim.[1][6]

"It's just going to be super fun to play a game," Stenberg had remarked earlier in training camp, downplaying the pressure of his draft pedigree. "Just have to work hard and have a good game." He delivered exactly that, driving the net with the elite hockey IQ that made him a consensus top selection in June.[6]

But Stenberg wasn't the only teenager dismantling the Ducks. Michael Misa, the No. 2 pick from the 2025 NHL Draft, matched his new teammate with a four-point night of his own. The 19-year-old center recorded one goal, three assists, and a plus-3 rating, looking significantly more explosive than he did during his 21-point rookie campaign last season.[1][3]

Misa's leap is no accident. The young forward spent his summer in Vancouver training alongside franchise cornerstone Macklin Celebrini, adding roughly nine pounds of muscle to his frame. "Just trying to improve my game in every aspect," Misa told reporters. "Trying to get faster, stronger. Working on my shot a lot."[4][5]

That extra strength was evident on Thursday, as Misa consistently won puck battles and dictated the pace of play. "I gained just under 10, like nine pounds," Misa confirmed. "I feel good; I won't play at the weight I'm at right now. Probably drop a couple pounds, but yeah, feel good."[5]

The supporting cast ensured the blowout reached historic preseason proportions. Igor Chernyshov added two goals and an assist, while offseason free-agent acquisition Mason Marchment—signed to a five-year, $33.75 million contract—scored twice. Filip Bystedt and Brett Leason also found the back of the net, overwhelming an Anaheim squad that had beaten San Jose just four days earlier.[1][2]

In the crease, Alex Nedeljkovic quietly turned aside all 21 shots he faced to secure the shutout. He benefited from a revamped Sharks blue line that now features veterans Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba, insulating the young forwards with heavy, experienced defensive play.[1]

The Pacific Division is officially on notice. With Celebrini coming off a 115-point sophomore campaign and Will Smith continuing his upward trajectory, the addition of a dynamic Stenberg and a bulked-up Misa gives San Jose a terrifyingly deep top six. As the Sharks prepare for their October 1 regular-season opener against the Florida Panthers, Thursday's 10-0 victory serves as concrete evidence: the Sharks are done swimming at the bottom of the standings.[1][3]