Jack Thompson joined the San Jose Sharks at the 2024 trade deadline. He went from Tampa Bay to San Jose in the swap that sent Anthony Duclair the other way. Last season, he split time between the Sharks and the Barracuda, scoring 10 points in 31 NHL games and showing flashes of his offensive upside. He’s dropped down our list since the last time we ranked the Sharks prospects, after failing to have the breakout season on the right-side many were hoping for. Thompson went from 17th on the Top 25 Under 25 list to 20th this season, but that’s okay because the Sharks’ prospect pool has only gotten deeper and Thompson is holding his own.
Position: Defenseman
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 191 pounds
Age: 23
Date of Birth: March 9, 2002
Draft Year: 2020 (93rd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Shoots: Right
2025–26 Team: Expected to compete for a roster spot with the San Jose Sharks, but could also see time with the Barracuda if needed to be pushed down.
What we like
Thompson’s biggest strength is his mobility on the back end. For a 6’1” defenseman, he skates really well, which allows him to close gaps quickly in his own zone and jump into the play offensively. Watching him with the Barracuda last season, you could see how smooth his stride is. He doesn’t waste his motion, and he’s confident carrying the puck up ice. That kind of skating makes him a very modern-style defender, someone who can transition the game instead of just sitting back in his position.
Another standout part of Thompson’s game is his offensive instincts. He isn’t just a stay-at-home guy; he’s got a shot that can actually make a difference from the blueline. Last year with San Jose, a couple of his goals came from simply getting pucks through traffic, and that’s a skill coaches love. He’s also not afraid to take chances in the offensive zone, whether it’s sneaking down into the slot or threading a pass. That creativity adds another layer to his game, making him more than just a depth defender.
On top of that, his development over the last couple of seasons has really shown his ability to adjust to higher levels of play. Coming out of junior, he was known as more of a “project,” but in the AHL, he grew into a reliable two-way defenseman. By the time he got NHL games with the Sharks, he didn’t really look out of place. That stable growth is what stands out. It feels like he’s just starting to tap into what he can be at the NHL level, which is exciting for a team that desperately needs young blueliners to step up and produce plays.
Areas of improvement
While Thompson has shown promise, one of the biggest areas he needs to clean up is his defensive consistency. He has the skating to keep up with NHL forwards, but sometimes he gets caught chasing the play or being too aggressive when stepping up. At the NHL level, those small mistakes can turn into big scoring chances against, so tightening up his reads and positioning will be key if he wants to be trusted with lengthy minutes.
Offensively, he has the instincts, but his decision-making with the puck can sometimes be a bit rushed. There were moments where he forced plays at the blueline or tried to make risky passes that ended up going the other way. That’s not unusual for a young defenseman, obviously, it’s part of learning when to take risks and when to keep it simple. Finding that balance between using his offensive tools and managing the puck smartly will help him become more trusted in all situations.
Lastly, his overall consistency is still a work in progress. Thompson has games where he looks like a legit NHL defenseman. He’s poised, confident, and effective at both ends, but then he’ll have games where he fades into the background or makes minor mistakes that turn into costly errors. For him, it’s all about consistency and proving he can bring that same level every game.
What’s next for Thompson?
Heading into this season, Thompson will be fighting for a roster spot with the Sharks. Given the state of San Jose’s blue line, he’s in a good position to earn regular NHL minutes, but there’s also a good chance he starts the year with the Barracuda if the coaching staff feels he needs more time to round out his game. Either way, he’s expected to play important minutes in one of those lineups, and the Sharks will definitely keep an eye on his development.
If he can prove himself as a stable and reliable defenseman this season, Thompson has the chance to secure a long-term part in San Jose’s rebuild. The team desperately needs young players who can grow into top roles, and Thompson’s skating and offensive instincts give him a shot at becoming one of those guys. A strong season could cement him as part of the Sharks’ future core, while another year of inconsistency might push him into more of a depth role between the NHL and AHL. This feels like a big year for him to show what direction his career is heading.
Highlight
Here we see it. Good decision-making with the puck can lead to vital opportunities. He has the vision, and this year, execution will be the most important.
Previous Top 25 Under 25 Posts
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
