Photo by Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons

How Sharks top pick Ivar Stenberg showed he's NHL-ready in impressive preseason

Top prospect Ivar Stenberg put together a strong 2026 preseason campaign with the San Jose Sharks, accumulating five points to tie for second across the league. Beyond his offensive output, which featured a hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks on September 24, his intelligent defensive play and strong positioning drew praise from teammates and coaches alike.

Linemate Collin Graf, head coach Ryan Warsofsky, forward Macklin Celebrini, and consultant Jack Han all highlighted his high hockey IQ, efficient routing, and disruptive forechecking ability against both AHL-level and NHL-caliber opponents.

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