The San Jose Sharks made history at the 2026 NHL Draft on Saturday, selecting Alexander Karmanov with the 201st overall pick in the seventh round. At 7-foot-1, Karmanov is the tallest prospect ever taken in the draft, marking a remarkable milestone for both the player and the franchise.
The Moldovan defenseman weighs 280 pounds and shoots left-handed, bringing an unprecedented physical presence to the Sharks organization. If he makes it to the NHL, he'll surpass Zdeno Chara and Curtis Douglas as the tallest player in NHL history.
Historic Selection for Alexander Karmanov
The 201st overall selection represents more than just a late-round flier for San Jose. Karmanov is also the first Moldovan selected in the NHL Draft, breaking barriers for his home country in the process. Born in Chisinau, Moldova, the towering defenseman has taken an unconventional path to professional hockey.
The Sharks used their final pick of the draft to take a chance on the unique prospect, who has been turning heads throughout the hockey world due to his extraordinary size. His selection caps off what was already a busy draft weekend for San Jose, who made several moves to bolster their prospect pool.
Karmanov's Development Path
Last season, Karmanov split his time between the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League and the Brantford Titans of the Greater Ontario Hockey League. In Brantford, he scored three goals and tallied seven points in 15 games, while with North Bay, he recorded two assists in 20 games with a +6 rating and 29 penalty minutes.
The young defenseman's hockey journey has taken him across multiple leagues and continents as he continues to develop his game. Despite his size advantage, Karmanov is still working to refine the technical aspects of his play at the junior level.
Future Plans and Development Timeline
Karmanov is committed to Penn State University for the 2027-28 season, but he'll spend the 2026-27 season with North Bay once again. This development path will give him another year of junior hockey to continue improving before making the jump to NCAA Division I competition.
The collegiate commitment provides a clear roadmap for Karmanov's development, allowing him to mature physically and refine his skills against high-level competition. Penn State's program will offer him the opportunity to develop in a structured environment while pursuing his education.
Long-Shot Prospect with Unique Upside
While making it to the NHL is seen as a long shot at this point, the Sharks are banking on Karmanov's unprecedented size and continued development. Seventh-round picks are typically high-risk, high-reward selections, and the organization clearly believes his physical tools are worth the gamble.
If Karmanov can continue to develop his skating, positioning, and hockey IQ, his size could become a significant advantage at higher levels of competition. The modern NHL has seen success from larger defensemen who can use their reach and physicality effectively, though players of Karmanov's extreme height remain exceedingly rare in hockey.
Sharks' Draft Strategy
The selection of Alexander Karmanov represents the type of calculated risk that teams often take in the later rounds of the NHL Draft. With little to lose on a seventh-round pick, San Jose opted for a player with truly unique physical attributes rather than a more conventional prospect.
The Sharks entered Day 2 of the draft with multiple selections after trading picks earlier in the draft. Along with Karmanov, the Sharks selected goaltender Brady Knowling with their No. 127 pick, adding depth to their organizational pipeline.
As the tallest player ever drafted in NHL history, Alexander Karmanov's journey will be one to watch in the coming years. Whether he ultimately reaches the NHL or not, his selection by the San Jose Sharks has already secured his place in hockey history books.
Sources & Original Reporting
