Overview
- The San Jose Sharks selected Alexander Karmanov late in the 2026 NHL Draft and NHL Central Scouting lists him at 7-foot-1 and 280 pounds.
- Video and reports from the Sharks' development camp show Karmanov skating and towering over teammates, giving teams a first on-ice look at his mobility baseline.
- Karmanov produced mixed results in junior hockey, showing promise with the Brantford Titans in the GOJHL but being more frequently outmatched in the OHL with North Bay.
- He is committed to play at Penn State in 2027 and will use college and minor-league development to work on skating, balance, and positional play before any NHL consideration.
- If he reaches the NHL he would likely be the tallest player in league history and a potential first Moldovan skater, but scouts stress there is no guarantee his size will translate to a pro career.