Sharks' preseason schedule, and new CBA, adds wrinkle to training camp
SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks will play two games against both the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights in a condensed, week-long preseason schedule announced by the team on Monday.
The Sharks will play in Anaheim on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m., followed by 7 p.m. home games against the Golden Knights on Sept. 22 and the Ducks on Sept. 24. The Sharks conclude the preseason with a game in Vegas on Sept. 26.
Per a new element of the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the Players' Association, teams are playing a maximum of four preseason games, while the regular-season schedule increases from 82 to 84 games.
Also, under the new CBA, players with at least 100 career NHL games can dress for a maximum of two preseason games. Players who competed in at least 50 games in the previous season will participate in a maximum of 13 days of training camp.
The NHL regular season is expected to begin in late September. Even with a shorter camp, the Sharks will likely need to get off to a faster start than they have in recent years to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Last year, the Sharks began the season with a 0-4-2 record and missed the playoffs by four points.
The Sharks have played six preseason games in recent years, and the new schedule perhaps leaves less time for younger players who spent most of last season in college or with the Barracuda to make an impression and crack the team's opening-night roster.
While the Sharks will be in the market to add more defensemen in the coming week to 10 days, they already have 11 forwards under contract for next season, plus pending restricted free agents Collin Graf and Zack Ostapchuk, who are expected to be given new contracts.
All Sharks preseason games will be broadcast live on the team's app and audio network. It was not immediately clear if any games would be shown on television or on the team's website.
The Sharks' schedule for the 2026-27 regular season will be announced at a later date, along with information surrounding individual game tickets.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 11:07 AM.