The Case For Carson Carels

With the San Jose Sharks jumping from 9 to 2 in the NHL Draft lottery, they are now in a prime position to add basically anyone they want to their pipeline. With the Sharks expected to start competing for a playoff spot and soon deep playoff runs, this is expected to be their last top-5 pick for a while.

Carson Carels

Defense
6'2" 198 pounds
Birthday: June 2008 (17)
Left-handed

Source: Carson Carels @ Elite Prospects

Carson Carels doesn't have many weaknesses in his game. He can drive offense, is physical, plays well in his own zone, and transitions the puck. Carels is one of the best all-around defensemen in the draft class and has a real chance to become the best two-way defenseman from the 2026 draft class.

When saying Carels played a ton, that is an understatement, as he played over 27 minutes a night with the Prince George Cougars and was a massive reason (as well as Sharks prospect Joshua Ravensbergen) that the Cougars were able to put together such a successful season. What makes Carels such an interesting prospect is that he can do just about everything. You see it in the clip above: he can play solid defense in key situations, springs the offense, and then lays a massive hit in the neutral zone to get the puck back. There are few weaknesses to his game.

While his offensive ceiling might not be as high as Chase Reid's, it's still good enough to be a potential number one defenseman. Carels' shot and creativity allow him to generate offense from the blueline, but he isn't reckless or cheating for offense. His transition game is one of the best in the draft class, as he can create time and space for himself and his teammates and has the makings of a breakout monster.

What separates Carels from some of his peers is his defensive game. He is extremely physical, but not dangerous. Some players will take themselves out of a play while trying to finish a check. Carels loves to finish his checks, but rarely takes himself out of the play. While positioning and matching opponents' skating is very important, occasionally you need a player to be a bulldozer and erase a forward. Carels can do that. This isn't to say that Carels is just a dog chasing a car in the defensive zone; he's extremely intelligent and has a motor for days to pester opposing players, but when he needs to, he can lay down the law.

The Case For Keaton Verhoeff

With the San Jose Sharks jumping from 9 to 2 in the NHL Draft lottery, they are now in a prime position to add basically anyone they want to their pipeline. With the Sharks expected to start competing for a playoff spot and soon deep playoff runs, this is expected

The ReefJD Young

Carson Carels is committed to joining the University of North Dakota, where he should play opposite Keaton Verhoeff. Having an opportunity to play against older competition in the more structured environment of the NCAA should allow Carels to continue to polish out his game. If the San Jose Sharks do draft Carels, don't be surprised if he's in teal by mid-April as the Sharks look to add a defensive piece to a playoff run. Carels could probably get by playing a bottom-pairing role right now, much like what we saw from Sam Dickinson at the beginning of last season, but a year in the NCAA should have him ready to make an impact in the NHL in the 2027-28 season.