Even though their surprising run at the playoffs fell short, the San Jose Sharks continued to generate excitement and raise expectations for the 2026-27 season.The Sharks improved by 34 points over the 2024-25 season, when they finished last in the NHL. No team had a greater improvement year over year. Any disappointment that lingered over the failure to end a playoff drought that now has stretched to seven seasons was instantly mollified by a huge jump in the draft lottery on May 5, when San Jose jumped to the No. 2 pick. Now they can add another potential impact player.Assuming the Sharks don’t trade the pick, it will be their fourth straight selection within the draft’s first five picks. A new core is being put together with Will Smith (No. 4 in 2023), Macklin Celebrini (No. 1 in 2024) and Michael Misa (No. 2 in 2025). Top-10 selections William Eklund and Sam Dickinson are also part of their foundation. Now it’s about putting the right pieces around that group to construct a winner that brings playoff hockey back to San Jose.That is Mike Grier’s job. Next season will be Grier’s fifth as the Sharks’ general manager and it could be pivotal. There will be changes, as in every offseason. Before moves are made that will reshape the roster, let’s look at who might return and who is likely to move on.The untouchablesMacklin CelebriniAt this point, there is nothing left to say. Celebrini, who turns 20 on June 13, is the franchise, the player the Sharks orbit around. Should he just be referred to as Macklin? Mack? MC71? The only pertinent question: Sure, he’s still one year out, but how much will they sign him for?Will SmithNow that it’s established that Celebrini is the Sharks’ superstar for a new age, it’s time to see where the ceiling is for the 21-year-old Smith, a gifted offensive talent. There is no doubt that he improved on his rookie season. Smith played at a 70-point pace, considering he missed 13 games. But it feels like he has a lot more in store for Year 3.Not going anywhereYaroslav AskarovAskarov’s fabulous November — an 8-2-0 record with a .944 save percentage — felt like a launching point for the 23-year-old goalie. Instead, it was the high point in an erratic, frustrating year. A leaky defense did him no favors. Alex Nedeljkovic also dealt with that, but he outplayed Askarov, San Jose’s anticipated No. 1 in net. Askarov needs to take a real step forward.Ty DellandreaA two-year extension signed in March landed Dellandrea here. Grier lauded Dellandrea’s locker-room presence and said he is part of the culture he wants to create in San Jose. The 25-year-old plays to his role as a physical player who can line up in the middle and win faceoffs if needed. A knee injury disrupted the makings of an effective season.Sam DickinsonDickinson got a bit overlooked when other Sharks youngsters took off, but he progressed on the Sharks’ blue line. He often was sheltered when it came to matchups but he steadily gained more responsibility. With a defense corps that figures to be reworked this offseason, will the Sharks put the 19-year-old in more offensive situations in 2026-27?Michael MisaWith their high draft picks in recent years, the Sharks have taken the strategy of having them develop at the NHL level instead of having an apprenticeship in the minors first. Misa was the latest example, and he finished his rookie season with a four-game point streak. Some ups and downs were to be expected from a 19-year-old, but his 21 points in 45 games is a nice start to build upon.Alex NedeljkovicThe Sharks need better goaltending in 2026-27 but they’re primed to run it back with Askarov and Nedeljkovic, whom they signed in March to a two-year, $3 million AAV extension. The new deal makes sense. Nedeljkovic, 30, was slightly below average in terms of expected saves but he won 18 games, which is what a team wants from an often-used backup.