I know that these aren't the lines and pairings that the Sharks have been so far in practice nor do I expect this at all, but this is what I personally would want
Sharks have been running a top line of Hoffman-Hertl-Zadina for 4 straight days now in practice, which doesn't really make sense to me. You have a lot of great playmakers in the lineup like Eklund, Barabanov, Bordeleau, and Granlund, so why would you have a line of all shooters? Doesn't make sense. Keep Zadina on the top line w/ Hertl so you have the Czechs together and can hopefully unlock Zadina, but switch Hoffman for Eklund so you have a playmaker with those two shooters.
2nd line for me is the same as SJ has been running in practice. Give Bordeleau a legit shot with legit linemates, and hopefully Bordeleau/Barabanov can set up Duclair a lot.
3rd line you have two shooters in Hoffman/Kunin centered by Granlund, who can only pass.
4th line has Sturm/Zetterlund to be solid defensively/physically and Labanc can maybe chip in a bit w/ the goals.
I like Smith but don't know who you'd take out for him
Ferraro-Benning as the top pair which is a brutal top pairing, but gotta work w/ what we have. Both are solid defensively and physically, and can log big minutes.
Thrun-Rutta has been used at practice, hopefully Rutta can provide a steady presence for Thrun and help Thrun develop into a legit middle pairing guy. Thrun might honestly be the best defenseman on the team (which is wild) but I don't want to put him on the top pair right away, be more careful.
Have really liked Knyzhov so far in preseason, a solid/steady defensive bottom pairing with Emberson, who I've also liked.
Vlasic scratched because why should he play over anyone in the lineup? I honestly don't think he's a better player than anyone in the top 6 (and if he is than it's really close) and he's not part of the team's future, so why not give another, younger guy those minutes? You know what you're getting with Burroughs, no upside but definitely like his physicality and defensive play.
Kahkonen starts, he's looked really solid in preseason.
I am 100% in agreement with your line combos! My only thought is I really feel like Eklund and Bordeleau together! They had chemestry! Same so far with Duclair and Barabanov and Hertl and Zadina. Mixing in Hoffman Granlund and Kunin to mix and match would be nice! It’s way easier once Couture comes back though.
The D I can’t agree more…. But I don’t see how you scratch Vlasic to start the season. (Though I want to!) Maybe after a handful of games, but last year he wasn’t bad so unless he regresses again this year I think Quinn is forced to play him. But to me Knyzhov Embersom and Thrun have to play this year! Thrun I have a feeling is a long term top 4 D for us but with Embersom and Knyzhov we have to see if they are guys you build with or move on from. Personally I feel Knyzhov is a better D than Vlasic and maybe even Ferraro and Embersom could be the best RD we have on the roster right now.
Next year I don’t see how Thrun and Mukhamadulin aren’t playing every night and if the sharks do anything in FA it would be to pick up a RD like Pesce. Or someone who is a top 4 with some offensive ability. So this is the year for Embersom and Knyzhov to shine or move on.
Still don’t know why we signed Burroughs to be honest especially to 3 year deal.
I am 100% in agreement with your line combos! My only thought is I really feel like Eklund and Bordeleau together! They had chemestry! Same so far with Duclair and Barabanov and Hertl and Zadina. Mixing in Hoffman Granlund and Kunin to mix and match would be nice! It’s way easier once Couture comes back though.
The D I can’t agree more…. But I don’t see how you scratch Vlasic to start the season. (Though I want to!) Maybe after a handful of games, but last year he wasn’t bad so unless he regresses again this year I think Quinn is forced to play him. But to me Knyzhov Embersom and Thrun have to play this year! Thrun I have a feeling is a long term top 4 D for us but with Embersom and Knyzhov we have to see if they are guys you build with or move on from. Personally I feel Knyzhov is a better D than Vlasic and maybe even Ferraro and Embersom could be the best RD we have on the roster right now.
Next year I don’t see how Thrun and Mukhamadulin aren’t playing every night and if the sharks do anything in FA it would be to pick up a RD like Pesce. Or someone who is a top 4 with some offensive ability. So this is the year for Embersom and Knyzhov to shine or move on.
Still don’t know why we signed Burroughs to be honest especially to 3 year deal.
I hope by mid year :
Eklund - Hertl - Zadina
Couture - Bordeleau - Barabanov
(I’d rather extend Barabanov and trade Duclair)
Trade Duclair for value
Hopefully find some value for Hoffman
Move Labanc
Thrun - Rutta
Ferraro - Benning
Shakir (for a tryout by end year) - Knyzhov
Goalies (like to see Chrona get some reps like Maki)
Agree with resigning Barbi! Wouldn’t mind resigning Duclair if he fits well.
I am hoping Kahkonen rebounds like it looked like in preseason and training camp!
I want to be patient with Mukhamadulin! We’ve rushed so many D and destroyed their careers
Agree with resigning Barbi! Wouldn’t mind resigning Duclair if he fits well.
I am hoping Kahkonen rebounds like it looked like in preseason and training camp!
I want to be patient with Mukhamadulin! We’ve rushed so many D and destroyed their careers
Oh I just mean use his 9 games like Eklund (if he’s performing well). But agreed.
I like to see those 9 games, as while to some it’s a small sample size, I believe if a player has “IT” he’ll show it.
Like Eklund being sent down after his 9 games was the 10/10 correct thing to do. But those 9 games, while not perfect nor being a prospect like Bedard; showed Eklund has it. He now just has to keep it.
I’d like to see Shakir and what we’ve got similarly. Like Thrun showed last year. Thrun could be something (not just a 3rd pair or 4th guy) and that’s what we saw in his showcase. And much like Eklund, Thruns now gotta keep it.
Obviously there are flashes in the pan (Kiviranta for example) but I always like seeing how prospects handle an NHL “vacation” from the AHL.
Oh I just mean use his 9 games like Eklund (if he’s performing well). But agreed.
I like to see those 9 games, as while to some it’s a small sample size, I believe if a player has “IT” he’ll show it.
Like Eklund being sent down after his 9 games was the 10/10 correct thing to do. But those 9 games, while not perfect nor being a prospect like Bedard; showed Eklund has it. He now just has to keep it.
I’d like to see Shakir and what we’ve got similarly. Like Thrun showed last year. Thrun could be something (not just a 3rd pair or 4th guy) and that’s what we saw in his showcase. And much like Eklund, Thruns now gotta keep it.
Obviously there are flashes in the pan (Kiviranta for example) but I always like seeing how prospects handle an NHL “vacation” from the AHL.
Hot damn you and I are very much on the same exact page!
What is your thoughts on Laroque?
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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