Speculation: 2019-2020 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Kcoyote3]

I’m liking this predraft trade and signing frenzy

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

Dillon, Melker, Labanc for Ehlers. I don’t care how silly it sounds.

They need centers, not wingers. They might bite on Dillon+Chmelevski. That’s still better value than what they got for Trouba.

 

[STL Shark]

Dillon, Melker, Labanc for Ehlers. I don’t care how silly it sounds.

I bet Braun+Merkley+Melker could get them thinking after seeing that Trouba package. Probably not enough, but definitely would make them think I bet given they need a RD and Merkley gives them equivalent value to that first rounder they got for Trouba. Wish we had a pick to be able to package with that group.

 

[themelkman]

I dont want to get rid of Merkley at all. Having Karlsson around long term gives us a great opportunity for him to model his game.

 

[boredatwork]

Thought I'd give my input on Cuda players who likely have a shot at the roster given recent discussion. Feel free to flame.

Forwards:

Gambrell: He is on the opening night roster. He is a well-rounded player, however, he does not wow at any aspect of the game. I think he projects more of a winger than a center at the NHL level. Reminds me a lot of McCarthy. To his credit, he really advanced his board play and physicality the second half of the season.

True: Really biased toward this guy. Another all situations player who parks his butt in front of the net. He is slow and the question will be whether or not his speed translates.

Jonathon Martin: He might make the team as a physical fourth liner whose willing to throw down. Average skating, but he brings the offense.

Truchon-Viel: Reminds of any of Boston's bottom-six forwards. A buzzsaw. Could be something. could be Mike Brown.



Defense: I think there is a real chance that two of Dillon, Braun, and Ryan are moved for picks.

DeSimone: Close to getting his chance. He's the Cuda's no. 1 D by far. I like him more than other Cuda posters as he does sacrifice defense for offense. Skates well and plays in all situations. He could be a bottom pairing d next year. I am not a Braun fan and think DeSimone would be an adequate replacement.

Middleton: My guess is he is Dillon's replacement. He can move the puck and moves well for his size. Definitely not afraid of the physical play. I don't know if he will ever be as good as Dillon or if he can be a consistent NHL defenseman, but, given the cap, he could replace his role as early as next year.

 

[Kcoyote3]

All I remember of Middleton is he looked super tentative when he got called up

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

All I remember of Middleton is he looked super tentative when he got called up

PDB's our coach. All of the rookies are on permanent probation.

 

[DeadGhost]

There’s a lot of parts to move still but it sort of sets up nicely to give Merkley a 10-gamer to start the season.

 

[themelkman]

I mean we have lots of 7th d men. If one of thems gotta be a sixth, I think we can deal with it

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

There’s a lot of parts to move still but it sort of sets up nicely to give Merkley a 10-gamer to start the season.

Pipe-dream for this year. Ferraro-Merkley as the 3rd pairing ..

Zero chance that happens this season but I think they can be our 3rd pairing in 2020-21.

I know if Merkley plays 10+ games this year we burn a year of his ELC but what exactly happens if we want to send him back to the minors after 20 or so games. Can we do that or does he have to ride the bench as the 7th D-man?

 

[Barrie22]

Pipe-dream for this year. Ferraro-Merkley as the 3rd pairing ..

Zero chance that happens this season but I think they can be our 3rd pairing in 2020-21.

I know if Merkley plays 10+ games this year we burn a year of his ELC but what exactly happens if we want to send him back to the minors after 20 or so games. Can we do that or does he have to ride the bench as the 7th D-man?

Well depends on what will ruin his developement more. Riding the bench but learning from the big club. Or going back to jrs where he is bored and it is some times like he is a man among boys in it for 25 minutes a night. But he wont learn anything new.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Well depends on what will ruin his developement more. Riding the bench but learning from the big club. Or going back to jrs where he is bored and it is some times like he is a man among boys in it for 25 minutes a night. But he wont learn anything new.

This has been my big concern with him going back to the minors. Looks like it has plateaued his development curve.

 

[themelkman]

This has been my big concern with him going back to the minors. Looks like it has plateaued his development curve.

Its too bad we are stuck with two options. It was nice back when we had Goldobin to send him to Europe for that year

 

[Barrie22]

This has been my big concern with him going back to the minors. Looks like it has plateaued his development curve.

Yeah he can't or won't learn anything from playing another season in the ohl.

I understand the entire nhl/chl/ahl rule about underagers. And i agree with them for the most part. But some players should be able to move up even if they are to young. If the chl is worried about losing money by losing star players, then just allow the nhl to do what they do with the khl and other international teams and let the nhl pay them per player they take.

 

[Dicdonya]

This has been my big concern with him going back to the minors. Looks like it has plateaued his development curve.

Agreed as well, I really hope Merkley kills it in training camp so he earns a look, and then runs with it, because even though he’s not fully developed it sure feels like he’s gunna stagnate in juniors.

 

[one2gamble]

Agreed as well, I really hope Merkley kills it in training camp so he earns a look, and then runs with it, because even though he’s not fully developed it sure feels like he’s gunna stagnate in juniors.

He should be playing in Europe

 

[themelkman]

He should be playing in Europe

Honestly I agree, it would be very tough to convince a hometown Ontarian boy to go play across the pond though.

 

[STL Shark]

Honestly I agree, it would be very tough to convince a hometown Ontarian boy to go play across the pond though.

Especially one already riddled with the "attitude problems" by the national media. Would be public enemy #1 of Don Cherry's for the rest of his life.

 

[Gilligans Island]

DW better / hopefully deals Braun and/or Dillon before 7/1 so Meier doesn't become risk of an offer sheet. I know we're all confident that DW can sign him and Meier will take a bridge but times have changed. You never know. Just don't want DW to be put in that position.

We need some breathing room cap-wise to re-sign Meier.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

DW better / hopefully deals Braun and/or Dillon before 7/1 so Meier doesn't become risk of an offer sheet. I know we're all confident that DW can sign him and Meier will take a bridge but times have changed. You never know. Just don't want DW to be put in that position.

We need some breathing room cap-wise to re-sign Meier.

Right. Even Meier gets an offer-sheet, I still expect DW to move players around to keep him. I am not super worried about it.

 

[exchequer]

I'm in favor of the EK signing. If you catch the big fish, you can worry about the small ones later. The Sharks D is absolutely formidable and will get even better if Merkley lives up to the hype. And plus, with the addition of Seattle in 2021, there a good likelihood the cap increases.

In the meantime, it looks like either Dillon and/or Braun will most likely get shipped out. Melker put up a disappearing act in the playoffs and wouldn't surprise me if he was moved. Dell is the 35th highest paid goalie in the league which isn't that unreasonable but if someone wants his services, I'd ship him out in a heartbeat.

If these three or four pieces are moved, that's enough to offer Pavelski a $6.5m, 1-year contract if that's agreeable to him.

There are a few other moving pieces that depend on if Jumbo is coming back. Without Jumbo, even if it's half a season, it's reasonable to offer Lebanc a prove-it contract.

 

[Coy]

If Merkley lives up to the hype of being a #1D (by all accounts he is a normal top 5 talent in draft just with attitude/motivation issues). Do the Sharks try to trade him for a forward/center equivalent?

 

[Sharksrule04]

Unless Merkley has some crazy off-season I just don’t seem him playing in the NHL next season. He did not look good in his AHL stint. Yes he displayed his skills at times but he didn’t not jump in and have a positive impact. I think he is still a couple years away.

Ferraro could make the team next season. He’s what the team will be looking for, especially if we ship out Dillon and/or Braun.

Could easily see our D being Burns, EK, Vlasic, Simek, Braun/Dillon, Ferraro, Heed

 

[CupfortheSharks]

I think Braun will be traded at the draft and Heed will be signed. Our D next season will be:

Simek- Burns
Dillon - EK
Vlasic - Heed
Ryan

 

[Jargon]

This... is going to be a crazy offseason.