When the San Jose Sharks take the ice for training camp next month, there will be likely two jobs up for grabs on the blue line. The bottom-pairing role will likely go to a young player like Luca Cagnoni, Nolan Allen, or Eric Pohlkamp. While theoretically one of the two who miss out on that job could be used as the Sharks’ seventh defenseman, it would make much more sense to let them get more playing time under their belt at the American Hockey League level.
In order to allow a younger defenseman to get sent down, the Sharks would then need to find a player who can step in and out of the lineup as needed. On paper, there’s no better fit for that role remaining than former Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg.
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Despite being undersized at 5-foot-9, Blankenburg has proven himself with multiple different teams as an effective depth player. While he’s not the type of player who should likely be playing for a contending team on a day-to-day basis, the 28-year-old has the ability to play both sides of the blue line and does so effectively when his number is called. There’s a reason that the Colorado Avalanche went out of their way to add him to their roster at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline.
Blankenburg is often more regarded for his offensive capabilities from the blue line, although he’s not a one-dimensional player. He’s effective on both ends of the ice, considering he’s still a free agent, he’d likely be a cost-effective option, and he’s a right-shot which is often a plus for depth defensemen.
With that being said, Blankenburg isn’t the type of player who the Sharks would likely want to slot in on special teams. He’s not an overly effective penalty killer, nor is he a game-changer on the power play. He could fill the role if needed, but it would be less than ideal.
As an undrafted player, Blankenburg’s play is often defined by his work ethic. He’s had to overcome the odds due to his size and he’s had to overcome being passed on in the NHL Draft on multiple occasions. As a result, his personality could be massively beneficial to some of the Sharks’ young defensemen as well.
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Given his rapid improvement through his late 20’s, it’s somewhat surprising that Blankenburg has yet to find a home for the 2026-27 season. Although it’s likely not an ideal outcome for him, as he’d hope to someday become an everyday player in the NHL, he could certainly bring a lot to the table for the San Jose Sharks.
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