NEXT HUTSON?: Should the Sharks TARGET Xavier Villeneuve to BOOST Their Offensive Defense Corps?

San Jose Sharks eye high-upside NHL Draft talent with Xavier Villeneuve and Maddox Dagenais as possible game-changers with their Edmonton first-round pick. Could San Jose land a franchise-defining offensive defenseman or a relentless power forward to fuel their rebuild? JD Young and Elite Prospects’ Hadi Kalakeche dissect Villeneuve’s elite puck-moving, Lane Hutson-style creativity, and defensive anticipation, despite questions about his size and recovery from injury. The conversation shifts to Dagenais’ transformation into a 6’4” wrecking ball with an NHL-ready shot and motor—raising questions about consistency and future fit as a center or winger. Expert insights cover development routes, player comps, best-case scenarios, and realistic draft ranges for the 2026 NHL Draft. Can the Sharks maximize their first-round haul with these bold prospects?