Quoting: HockeyScotty
Based on last year's TOI when healthy:
Ferraro-Rutta
Thrun-Burroughs
Vlasic-Benning
Mukhamadullin-Emberson
NHL-AHL Tweeners
Knyzhov-Addison
Pulli-Frisch
Cagnoni-Thompson
AHL-ECHL Tweeners
Guryev-Laroque
Obviously the Head Coach hire will tell alot before training camp, but the Sharks seemed to use Burroughs a lot more than I expected; but that was likely due to injuries to Benning and Emberson. Going into this past year it seemed like Benning was really seen as a lock for good amount of ice time. I thought Emberson played effectively when he was healthy.
Calen Addison is definitely running out of chances at the NHL level.
If everyone is healthy the key seems to be Mukhamadullin and Emberson beating out those "above them" in the current depth chart, but there is some sense in shielding the young defenders from getting annihiliated against top matchups with vets like Vlasic-Rutta serving in that sense.
I expect :
Ferraro - Emberson
When healthy: the Sharks strongest pair
Thrun - Burroughs
Sharks definitely overused Burroughs: partially due to injuries, partially due to subjective favouring, and partially due to him having some good showings. Thrun wants to be a top pair defender so let’s see how he can improve, and if he can be that guy. Burroughs is a solid guy to put with him (like Karlsson + Methot).
Mukhamadullin - Rutta
Best guy to put with Muk, speak the same languages, an amazing vet to be glued to and learn from. Provide the Sharks a potentially exceptional 3rd pair, and doesn’t expose Muk to deadly matchups all the time.
Vlasic, Benning are backup.
AHL seems fair.
It’ll be super interesting to follow the draft too.
Some pros are predicting some wild selections inside the top 6 which could result in some interesting trade up potential.
He’ll Craig Button put Levshunov at 9; which is just a layup trade up for Grier id say. (And I don’t love Button but doesn’t mean it’s fun to discuss).