Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Ty Dellandrea

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Ty Dellandrea
6'2" 190lbs
25 years old
2018 1st round pick

Last Season

68 games, 1 goal, 7 assists, 11:48 TOI

After being acquired in an offseason trade from the Dallas Stars for a 2025 4th round pick, Dellandrea settled into a bottom-six role, mainly playing center. Dellandrea also played the sixth-most penalty kill minutes among Sharks forwards last season.

Dellandrea was brought in to help solidify the bottom six and played tough minutes. His defense was solid at even strength, but after scoring 28 points for the Stars in the 2023-24 season, Dellandrea's offense dried up with only one goal for the Sharks, and that was in game three of the season.

Burning Question

Can Dellandrea add secondary scoring?

Dellandrea's center/wing flexibility should make him a roster lock despite the additions General Manager Mike Grier made this offseason. That being said, Dellandrea needs to rediscover his scoring touch from the 2023-24 season. Dellandrea has taken on other roles with San Jose, including enforcer, but adding secondary scoring would be massive for the Sharks as they look to improve from their league-worst 208 goals for.

Ty Dellandrea was put in a difficult situation last season with his linemates. He spent most of his time playing with Carl Grundström and Barclay Goodrow. With Adam Gaudette and Philipp Kurashev joining the Sharks, and Collin Graf now a full-timer, Dellandrea has a chance to play with some more talent around him. If Dellandrea can play more offense, he could help to add more production that the Sharks desperately need.

Expectations

Ty Dellandrea should be the Sharks' fourth-line center and play hefty penalty kill minutes this season. If Smith is unable to claim the 2C job and Wennberg has to jump up a line, Dellandrea could be an option as the 3C, with a guy like Zack Ostapchuk also in the mix. While this option would be beneficial for Dellandrea, it would be disappointing for the Sharks, who are counting on Smith to make the transition back to center this year.

Expect Dellandrea to score more than he did last season, but reaching anywhere near his 28 points from two years ago feels like a pipedream, especially given the current state of the Sharks' offense. Dellandrea is also entering the last year of his contract at $1.3m and is an RFA (with arbitration rights) this offseason. A team looking to upgrade their bottom-six with someone who can play wing or center and adds some grit might look Dellandrea's way.