PANIC: What If the San Jose Sharks Miss Out on All Top D in NHL Draft? TRADE or TRUST?

San Jose Sharks face a draft night dilemma: what if all top defensemen are gone at pick No. 9? JD Young explores bold strategies, from trading down with the St. Louis Blues to double-dipping at picks 15 and 16, to the possibility of packaging No. 9 and No. 27 to move up for an elite blueliner like Chase Reid or Carson Carels. With emerging names like Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, and Daxon Rudolph factoring into the equation, is Sharks GM Mike Grier ready to shake up his rebuild with a blockbuster move? Mock draft insights from Craig Button, Scott Wheeler, and others showcase possible targets at No. 27—Tommy Bleyl, Maksim Sokolovskii, and Elton Hemmerson—each bringing unique skillsets and upside. Which path puts San Jose on track for a faster turnaround: landing cornerstone defense, scoring forwards, or gambling on high-upside talent? Don't miss this expert analysis of the Sharks’ options ahead of a pivotal NHL Draft.