An undrafted college free agent turned promising NHL contributor, Collin Graf bursts onto the scene as a creative, high-IQ forward carving out a roster spot with the Sharks. He’s a relentlessly skilled playmaker who transformed his game at Quinnipiac University before earning a three-year entry-level deal with San Jose in April 2024. Graf appeared in our rankings last year at number 16 … and he is so back!
Position: Right Wing / Center
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 194 pounds
Age: 22
Date of Birth: Sept. 21, 2002
Draft Year: Undrafted
Shoots: Right
2025–26 Team: San Jose Sharks/San Jose Barracuda
What we like
Graf’s vision and puck skills make him a standout. His playmaking is polished, and he’s got the kind of hockey sense that helps him make space for teammates. Dobber Prospects highlights his tenacity in his puck battles and ability to thread passes in tight spaces, while The Athletic’s Corey Pronman praised his puck-handling, quick reads and pro-level shot. He already looks like a player capable of helping drive a middle-six line and contributing on the power play.
What really separates Graf is his whole game. Sharks General Manager Mike Grier emphasized his two-way awareness when the team signed him, and it’s easy to see why. His defensive instincts carried over from college and showed up in his limited NHL minutes, especially when he got looks on the penalty kill. He’s more versatile than some of San Jose’s other young forwards, giving him an edge in the competition for roster spots.
Graf’s development arc is also pretty encouraging. Once a 5-foot-8, 145-pound teenager who looked like a long shot, he grew into a sturdy 6-foot-1 frame and thrived at Quinnipiac. He led the Bobcats in scoring in 2023-24 with 49 points and 22 goals, earning ECAC Player of the Year, back-to-back First Team honors, and two top-10 Hobey Baker finalist nods. He followed that with 11 points in 33 NHL games after signing, showing flashes of what’s to come.
Last season, Graf split time between the Sharks and the Barracuda. In addition to his 11 points at the NHL level, he was also a leader on the Barracuda, where he had 35 points (8 G, 27 A) in 40 games and then added another five points in six games in the Calder Cup playoffs. Graf’s leadership transitioned into this season when he was handed a letter during the most recent Rookie Faceoff Tournament this past weekend in Southern California.
Areas for improvement
Graf’s biggest knock right now is that he’s not shoot-first enough. He averaged just over one shot per game in the NHL, which makes him easier to defend when teams expect him to pass. If he’s going to maximize his offensive impact, he’ll need to get pucks on net more often and trust his shot and trust himself a bit more.
There are also questions about his physical game. While he battles hard and doesn’t shy away from contact, he can play too much on the perimeter. At the NHL level, being willing to cut inside and take hits to make plays will be crucial if he wants to stay long-term, especially on the third or fourth line where he is projected to play. He has the frame to handle it, but consistency in that area is still developing.
Finally, like any rookie adjusting to the NHL, Graf needs to fully adapt to the speed and physicality of the pro game. His skill set translates, but the grind of an 82-game season is a different challenge than college hockey. Finding ways to make an impact every night, even when the offense isn’t flowing, is the next big step.
What’s next for Graf?
Graf heads into the 2025–26 season with momentum and plenty of eyes on him. He spent much of last year with the Sharks and is expected to get a good look out of training camp. It would not be out of the question for him to earn a fulltime spot with the Sharks. With San Jose leaning heavily on its youth movement, there’s a real chance he carves out a middle-six role right away.
If he adjusts quickly and starts producing, Graf could solidify himself as one of the team’s more reliable young forwards. If not, the organization may give him a short AHL moment with the Barracuda, but that seems like a fallback option more than a plan. Either way, he’s firmly in the mix for the Sharks’ rebuild and could become an important piece moving forward.
Long term, Graf projects as a smart, two-way winger who can play in a variety of situations. Whether it’s on the power play, penalty kill, or five-on-five, his versatility gives the coaching staff options. If he continues to grow his offensive assertiveness, there’s top-six potential here, too.
Highlight
This is a compilation of all Graf’s goals in the NHL. He is quick, makes smart plays, and can, in fact, find the back of the net.
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16. Cam Lund
17. Ethan Cardwell
18. Haoxi Wang
19. Leo Sahlin Wallenius
20. Jack Thompson
21. Cole McKinney
22. Zack Ostapchuk
23. Mattias Havelid
24. Egor Afanasyev
25. Carson Wetsch
Honorable Mentions: Joey Muldowney, Jake Furlong, Brandon Svoboda, Nate Misskey, Gabriel Carriere
