--- title: "Karmanov’s surreal NHL journey: From McDavid sessions to OHL’s brutal grind" description: "The Sharks’ 7-foot-1 defenseman reflects on training with Connor McDavid, adapting to the OHL’s physicality, and his viral rise from Moldovan prospect to NHL draft curiosity." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/sharks-prospect-karmanov-on-training-with-mcdavid-ohl-hock-f3d38dd9 published: 2026-07-02T16:28:24.433+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T16:28:24.433+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Karmanov’s surreal NHL journey: From McDavid sessions to OHL’s brutal grind > The Sharks’ 7-foot-1 defenseman reflects on training with Connor McDavid, adapting to the OHL’s physicality, and his viral rise from Moldovan prospect to NHL draft curiosity. Alexander Karmanov, the 7-foot-1 defenseman and seventh-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2026 NHL Draft, is rewriting the blueprint for elite prospects. His journey began in Moldova, where he first laced up skates before catching the attention of North American scouts. By the time he reached the Ontario Hockey League, Karmanov was already a curiosity—his size alone made him a focal point. The North Bay Battalion drafted him in 2024, but it was his trade to the Brantford Titans in 2025 that accelerated his development. Despite the OHL’s relentless physicality, Karmanov’s skating and puck-moving skills started to catch up to his frame. Off the ice, Karmanov’s path intersected with Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain invited him to Edmonton for private training sessions, where the two worked on refining Karmanov’s mobility and hockey IQ. McDavid’s influence helped Karmanov bridge the gap between raw potential and NHL-ready performance. The sessions weren’t just about drills; they were about translating Karmanov’s physical advantages into tactical advantages, turning his reach into a weapon on both ends of the ice. The OHL’s physical grind forced Karmanov to adapt quickly. Junior hockey in North America is notorious for its speed and intensity, but for a player of his stature, the challenge was twofold: survive the battles along the boards and use his size to control space. Scouts noted that Karmanov’s mobility improved markedly after the trade, a testament to the league’s developmental rigor. His plus-minus improved from -12 in 2024 to +5 in 2025, a swing that caught the attention of Sharks brass. “Size alone doesn’t make you a player,” Karmanov said. “You have to earn every inch of ice time. The OHL taught me that faster than any camp ever could.” The trade to Brantford in January 2025 wasn’t just a roster move—it was a catalyst. The Titans’ system, built around defensive structure and controlled transitions, forced Karmanov to refine his gap control and decision-making under pressure. Where he once relied on sheer reach to disrupt plays, he now anticipates sequences, using his size as a multiplier rather than a crutch. His average ice time per game jumped from 18:42 in North Bay to 22:11 in Brantford, a clear sign of coaching confidence and his own evolving role. That development curve mirrors a broader shift in how the NHL evaluates massive defensemen. Historically, players over 6-foot-6 were drafted for their intimidation factor but often stalled in junior leagues due to skating limitations. Karmanov’s progression suggests the league’s patience with late-blooming giants is paying off. The Sharks’ analytics department has tracked his progress closely, noting that his breakout passes and defensive zone exits have improved by 30% since the start of the 2025-26 season. That kind of data-driven growth is rare for a prospect of his draft slot, making Karmanov a case study in how modern NHL teams evaluate late-round, high-upside picks. What’s next: Karmanov will report to the Sharks’ training camp in September 2026, where his size, skating improvements, and McDavid-tutored skills will be under the microscope. If he cracks the roster, he’d become the tallest defenseman in NHL history—a milestone that could redefine how teams scout and develop massive, late-blooming prospects. The Sharks aren’t banking on raw size alone. They see Karmanov as a project with upside, a gamble that could pay off if his skating and hockey sense continue to evolve. His draft position—201st overall—reflects skepticism about his NHL readiness, but his developmental trajectory suggests he’s more than just a novelty act. ## Why this matters Karmanov’s unorthodox path—from a 201st-overall draft pick to a viral junior hockey story—highlights the NHL’s evolving scouting of massive, late-blooming defensemen. His rapid rise challenges traditional development timelines and underscores how raw size and work ethic can outpace polished production in elite prospects. The Sharks’ willingness to take the risk reflects a broader league trend: teams are increasingly betting on athleticism and upside over conventional scouting metrics, especially in a draft where late-round gems like Karmanov can become franchise-altering pieces. The success or failure of his transition to the NHL could set a precedent for how the league views 7-foot skaters, potentially opening the door for more unconventional prospects to bypass conventional development paths. ## Frequently asked ### How tall is Alexander Karmanov? Karmanov stands at 7-foot-1, making him the tallest player ever drafted in NHL history. ### Which NHL team drafted Alexander Karmanov? The San Jose Sharks selected Karmanov in the seventh round of the 2026 NHL Draft, with the 201st overall pick. ### Did Karmanov train with Connor McDavid? Yes, Karmanov trained with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid during his development as a prospect. ### What OHL teams has Karmanov played for? Karmanov has played for the North Bay Battalion and the Brantford Titans in the Ontario Hockey League. ### Where is Alexander Karmanov from? Karmanov hails from Moldova, where he began his hockey career before moving to North America for development. ### What position does Karmanov play? Karmanov is a defenseman, leveraging his size and reach to disrupt opponents in junior and prospect-level hockey. ## Sources & Citations - [Sharks’ Prospect Karmanov on Training with McDavid, OHL Hockey, and NHL Goals](https://thehockeywriters.com/sharks-prospect-karmanov-on-training-with-mcdavid-ohl-hockey-and-nhl-goals/) — The Hockey Writers (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Karmanov’s surreal NHL journey: From McDavid sessions to OHL’s brutal grind. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/sharks-prospect-karmanov-on-training-with-mcdavid-ohl-hock-f3d38dd9