Quoting: Jco5ta5
I'm failing to see the vision. You've also left out Macklin Celebrini...
By 2025-2026 *I chose Levshunov* I'd be happy with anyone inside the top 4 but Lev (rd, two way, franchise d potential) is the best choice for San Jose.
Eklund - Hertl - Nylander (an actual elite top line)
Gushchin - Smith - Zetterlund
Bordeleau (maybe trade for a goalie or something) - Couture - Zadina or Placeholder
Placeholder - Bystedt - Ozzy
+2025 Pick somewhere
Muk - Levshunov
Thrun - Addison
Ohk/ Ferraro - Placeholder
Knyzhov
Blackwood
Hopefully we draft an elite goalie or trade for a young one to put behind Blackwood if he's still performing)
Would actually be an interesting team to follow develop/ see what they become.
Smith and Levshunov being the franchise talents, with Eklund close behind, Hertl and Couture hold down the depth at middle and hope to see both try and follow Anze Kopitar/ Pavelski. Muk has top D potential (not like Quinn Hughes or Miro but still damn good), Thrun and Addison could be legit 2nd pair guys. Gushchin imo is the Sharks 2nd best forward prospect (behind Will Smith). Quetin Musty and Halttunen could easily break this lineup if their development continues on their current trends and then the lines would be:
Eklund - Hertl - Nylander
Gush - Smith - Zetterlund
Musty - Couture - Halttunen (trade Bordeleau as Musty fits better on a 3rd line)
Placeholder - Bystedt - Ozzy
+ 2025 Pick
Muk - Levhsunov
Thrun - Addison
Ferraro - Placeholder
And the Sharks cupboard is still full, there are done of prospects I've left out that some scouts love.
Eklund has been stellar and if he continues to develop each year like he has he could be a phenomal two way player (almost Mark Stone esque (different builds/ frames though)
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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