Predictions- San Jose Sharks

Team: 2022-23 San Jose Sharks

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 1, 2022

Published: Sep. 1, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I would say everyone else in the Pacific Division has a shot at the playoffs. However, the Sharks are the only team that don’t have a shot at the playoffs. With the direction that Grier is going towards, I think the Sharks will miss out on the playoffs. Trading for Kunin does add some depth for the long run, and I think the rebuild will be centered around Eklund. The Sharks could count on either Merkley or Vlasic to replace Burns, and a full season of Eklund and Bordeleau will be interesting to watch. Goaltending they just traded Hill, and are rolling with Kahkonen and Reimer. I don’t see Reimer being part of the future, I think sooner rather than later we will see Makiniemi develop into the future starter that the Sharks project him to be. If anything in this year’s draft the Sharks should draft a goalie, there are some goalies that have potential to be drafted inside the top 15. Overall, I think this is the start of a rebuild for the Sharks. They won’t be the worst team in the NHL by any means, with Eklund, Meier, Karlsson, and Hertl, I see them getting around the 60-70 point mark.

For the young prospects, the Sharks should play Eklund and Bordeleau for a full season. Merkley should be given a full-time role in San Jose's top 4 with Burns gone. I don't watch the Sharks often, so I don't know about any other young prospects. If there are some please let me know.