Zack Ostapchuk is one of the newest additions to the San Joe Sharks’ organization, coming at the 2025 trade deadline in the deal that sent Fabian Zetterlund to Ottawa. Originally, he was drafted 39th overall by the Senators in 2021. Ostapchuk is a big, physical forward who’s been working to establish himself as a full-time NHLer. Last season, he split time between Ottawa, the AHL, and the Sharks. While his offensive numbers weren’t particularly eye-catching, he stood out for his energy, forechecking, and physical presence, especially during the Barracuda’s playoff run last season.
Stats
Position: Center (can also play LW)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 212 lbs
Age: 22
Date of Birth: May 29, 2003
Draft Year: 2021, 39th overall by Ottawa Senators
Shoots: Left
2025–26 Team: Competing for a fourth-line spot with the Sharks, but could also see time with the Barracuda
What We Like
At 6’4” and over 200 pounds, Ostapchuk definitely has that “power forward” look about him, and it shows in the way he plays. He pressures defenders and brings that physical edge that every coach loves to have in their bottom six. This means he’s not just a bruiser. he’s someone who can handle tougher minutes, kill penalties, and maybe grow into a middle-six role down the road.
What really stands out is how much he thrives when the games get heavier. In the Barracuda’s playoff push, he became a wrecking ball in all the right ways. Winning puck battles, keeping a good forecheck, and being the guy who makes his presence known every shift. That’s the kind of player you want in the lineup when things get intense. He doesn’t shy away from those moments; he leans into them.
And on top of all that, his skating is really impressive for a player his size. A lot of big guys struggle with mobility, but Ostapchuk’s stride is smooth and powerful. He uses that to his advantage when closing gaps and forcing turnovers. Combine that with his physical style, and he already looks like the kind of player coaches love to plug into tough matchups.
Something specific that stands out to me is the pure grit. He isn’t afraid to not only defend the puck, but his teammates, too. Last year, he may have made a few different rosters, but no matter what, he’s there for his team on and off the ice.
Areas of Improvement
The biggest thing that holds him back right now is his lack of offense. In the NHL, his scoring has been minimal, and while his energy and effort go a long way, they won’t get him into the lineup every night if the production never comes. He needs to find ways to turn those hard-fought shifts into goals and assists, even if it’s just in a supporting role.
Another area is consistency. There are games where he looks totally locked in and you can’t miss him, and then there are nights where he kind of fades into the background. Part of that comes with being young and not having a set role just yet, but part of it is just learning how to impact the game every shift. If his brand is going to be “high-energy grinder” (which it’s looking like), he’s got to bring that spark 100% of the time.
Last but not least, his offensive creativity is still a work in progress. He has the tools. His size, smooth skating, and puck protection, but his playmaking instincts aren’t really there yet. If he adds some good reaction time and is on top of plays, that roster spot on the Sharks will look a lot more promising.
What’s Next for Ostapchuk?
Heading into the 2025–26 season, Ostapchuk is going to be in the mix for a fourth-line center spot with the Sharks and/or ‘Cuda. His size, speed, and physicality give him a pretty good chance to crack the Sharks roster, but it’s also possible that he’ll spend time with the Barracuda to get more minutes and reps. Either way, he’s going to be an important part of San Jose’s plans moving forward.
Long term, Ostapchuk looks like he could become a reliable third-line guy who you can trust in tough minutes and the penalty kill. He may not or never be a huge scorer, but his skating and physical edge make him a really valuable player if he develops properly. If he does manage to add a little scoring touch along the way, then the Sharks may have snagged a sneaky-good piece in that trade.
He said it himself in a recent interview on Fear The Fin:
“I think they’ve got a bright future here. I think there’s a lot of winning coming up in the next couple of years here, once everybody gets a little older and develops, and I just want to be a piece in that, I want to add to a winning culture here,” said Ostapchuk.
And hopefully, he spoke it into existence.
Highlights
As mentioned before, defending his teammates is no issue. Ostapchuk’s physical presence is not limited to creating turnovers and shutting guys out; it’s about fighting for what’s right.
In his debut with the Sharks, the renowned fighter Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals wanted the smoke.
In the same past interview, he told us, “I like to mix it up a little bit. I think it brings some energy to the team. I think at that point of the game, it’s just something I was trying to do is maybe provide a little spark being down three, nothing. Tom Wilson’s pretty tough. Probably not the guy I would have loved to fight. But that’s who I got,”
Pure love of the game.
