I know this is somewhat of a long read but if you want my reasoning - Here it is!
I doubt all this will happen, but if Grier decides to be more aggressive, maybe 1 or 2 of these moves will
Put next to the moves the likeliness of them actually happening
Forwards:
- Move on from both Bordeleau and Gushchin, decide to get bigger - (Probably not both)
- 1 Forward UFA, 1 Cap Dump, 1 "Fresh Start" - (Probably)
- Couture on LTIR - Sharks get top 6 Center Insurance - Stephenson? - (Maybe?)
Defense:
- Bring in a young top pairing Defenseman (Hronek) - Also, this allows us to search for an elite Defenseman on both sides (LD/RD), instead of just RD - in the draft in free agency, etc. - (Unlikely)
- Sign another Defenseman who continues to improve - Chatfield - (This I could actually see happening)
- Move on from our log jam of 5th/6th Dmen - (Probably)
Lines:
- Eklund - Stephenson - Zetterlund
I think Stephenson will bring out the best in Eklund and Zetterlund. Eklund is already good on both sides of the puck, but having a guy like Stephenson on your line who is a great 2-way center, Eklund may be able to excel more offensively, also leading to Zetterlund having more chances - Overall a really solid line
- Kakko - Granlund - Smith
Granlund was our best player last year, so I am confident that he will make both of these guys on his wing be better players. Kakko is actually okay defensively, and given significantly more minutes in a top 6 role, I think that he could get back on track offensively as well. I also am a firm believer that these bigger guys take much longer to get scoring in the NHL - even look at Kostin for example. Small sample size, but the trend is there. Pair them with the insane skill and IQ of Smith - Could be a really solid line
- Kostin - Celebrini - Mikheyev
In some of my previous posts, I have Celebrini as our 2c, but that could be a pretty bad idea. I mean some nights he would be going against Draisaitl, Hischier, Hertl, etc., and we may want him more sheltered than that. Jack Hughes played his rookie year as a 3c, and it's hard to argue that Celebrini deserves a higher position than him. The wingers he are given here are not bad, - an improving Kostin, and an overpaid but still serviceable Mikheyev. Kostin will absolutely protect him out there, and Mikheyev is a great skater, with a decent amount of skill as well. Both of these guys should be able to keep pace with Celebrini - Another pretty solid line, especially for your 3rd line
- Kunin - Sturm - Okposo
I would be over the moon if we could bring in a leader like Okposo, especially with the amount of high-end youth on this roster. Having a guy like him just for them to talk to, and learn from would be amazing. Paired with Sturm who is honestly an amazing 4c, and a physical Kunin - In my eyes, this is a Great 4th line
Overall a SIGNIFICANTLY better forward core than last year, with still room to develop, and spots to grab for youth
D-Core:
- Ferraro - Hronek
A WAY better d-pairing than any option we had last year (obviously). Pairing Ferraro with a guy like Hronek, will allow Ferraro to go back to his normal stay-at-home, shot blocking machine, not in this weird half forced offensive role last season. I also think that Ferraro is more ready to be paired with a guy like this - Not an elite 1st pairing, but honestly not bad
- Mukhamadullin - Chatfield
Chatfield seems to be getting better and better, if we are able to get him on a contract like this, I say pull the trigger. Pairing with a guy like Chatfield, Shak will have much more freedom to learn the NHL game, be able to be more offensive, and be able to make mistakes. I also seem to forget that Shak's got a ceiling is sky high, so we need to find him the right partner to not overexpose him - Not a bad 2nd pairing
- Thrun - Emberson
Solid, young, defensive, 3rd-pairing. Not a whole lot to say here, this pairing had good numbers last year - In my eyes, a really solid 3rd pair
Again, a WAY better D-core that should continue to improve, and open spots up for future youth to grab
Season goals/mindset:
- This season is really about developing some of our higher end prospects correctly - (Celebrini, Smith, Mukhamadullin) - Not to mention Eklund, Thrun, and other guys who will to continue to grow and develop. We need to create a healthy environment where we are not going to be going on these 10-14 game losing streaks. This roster should shoot for 30ish wins
- Some may say this is rushing the rebuild, but I don't really feel that is the case: We still have a ton of cap space and youth that will continue to find spots in our lineup. I just think creating a solid foundation like this will make it much easier for our prospects to develop
- It also does not really create a log Jam - Next season we could see a lineup of something like:
- So, there are absolutely still spots to grab, and having help from guys like Stephenson/Hronek is not a bad thing, and we still have multiple 1sts and high-end prospects to continue to grab spots
- We do not need to tank every year
I am sure the trades/contracts need to be tweaked, but this is just a blueprint, and I think that a few of these moves could be made to help steer the sharks in the right direction.
Leave your opinions in the comments!
Sharks buy a top pairing RD, an absolute necessity over the next couple years. Young enough to play for us for a long time, we also eat cap in Mikheyev to help even out the deal.
Return for Vancouver may feel somewhat underwhelming, but with Hronek asking for a huge contract, this may be in the ballpark of what he returns. Canucks get the 33oa pick, and Gushchin: a young small but physical winger who has been a PPG in the AHL.
Not going to be a guy who hits 50 goals one day, but absolutely could be a great middle 6 winger putting up 50 points, has an absurdly good shot.
Except Bordeleau is listed as a C/LW which is exactly what the rangers don’t need
Also I don’t see how he has a higher floor than Kakko
Ah yeah, meant to delete that, I think they have similar floors, regardless I think kakko will be moved, and I think that a perfect place could be San Jose b/c obviously he will get top 6 mins
Ah yeah, meant to delete that, I think they have similar floors, regardless I think kakko will be moved, and I think that a perfect place could be San Jose b/c obviously he will get top 6 mins
What do you think is the price
Honestly i don’t know. His actual value is low cause he’s coming off a bad year and injury, but a low pick doesn’t help them
I would rather see the Rangers package Kakko, 1st++ for a top 6 RW
Really enjoyed the read and thought - the future of the Sharks could be very bright!
Thanks!
Yeah, I sure hope so, this offseason is critical and NEEDS to be handled right, with literally our best prospects in franchise history about to make their debuts. Need to surround them correctly without putting the rebuild in jeopardy
yeah, as much ice time as he can handle which I doubt is 1c given the fact he is literally 17
The trade was just for any contender looking for a physical 6/7dman
Then have him go back to college he shouldn’t play in the NHL in a role you don’t want him. SJS shouldn’t be in any rush whatsoever they are going to suck, just don’t suck AND ruin a #1 overall.
Then have him go back to college he shouldn’t play in the NHL in a role you don’t want him. SJS shouldn’t be in any rush whatsoever they are going to suck, just don’t suck AND ruin a #1 overall.
that's not my choice, Grier signed smith, and holds the same sentiment about Celebrini in that he is NHL ready, this post surrounds that. lol
I also said that I am fine with him in an NHL role, just not a 1c lmao