Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part 1

[Dicdonya]

There was no realistic way to take the initial roster into a tank while gaining volume draft picks, Grier knows this and DW knew this.

The plan is simple... Build attempt to build a roster that outperforms the sum of its parts similar to Vegas' initial season. While keeping high value draft picks and not committing significant dollars for additions.

Then sit back and evaluate your prospect pool at the NHL level (Eklund and Bourdleau) to determine if they are can't miss top 6 players. At the same time, keep your tier two prospects in the AHL with the goal of competing for an AHL championship.

What? Meier, Hertl, probably Couture, Burns, Ferarro, Barabanov, and probably even some of the guys like Bonino, Nieto etc could all be sold for draft picks.

We literally just gave up a third and a prospect for freaking Kunin, lets not pretend that we could not get picks for just about anybody on the team if we were actually trying to gather picks. We got a 5th for Cogs just last year.

Also if we were actively rebuilding, we could also utilize cap space to get more/better picks while trading some of these guys.

For example Couture would not get us much in a vacuum, but send to a team that has a couple cap dumps to send back making the cap neutral for that team, and bam he now gets you at least a couple picks and/or prospects.

Arizona is showing what you can do when you want to stockpile picks, while using cap space as a bargaining tool. They picked up 6mil worth of cap for Kassian and Nemeth, and moved up in the first round of this draft, while also getting 2 more 2nds and 2 3rds for that.

The plan you laid out, if that is what this team is doing in reality, is exactly what we have been doing the last three years, with the only difference now seemingly that we will do the same thing but with more physicality, and we see how that turned out.

For a team that supposedly could not survive a rebuild, it is pretty amazing how apparently now we can bottom feed for three years and then enter a "stealth tank/rebuild" for who knows how long afterwards.

Edit- @hohosaregood

If they are tanking though, why not just admit it.

I truly fail to see how sucking ass on the ice, while proclaiming you are trying to win or be competitive, is better for PR than admitting we will looking toward the future and the that winning or making the playoffs is not a main concern right now.

Setting false expectations, and then doing the opposite of that is generally a pretty stupid idea.

 

[Selachimorpha]

I have a feeling this next years Sharks team is going to be a bit like those early VGK teams. A bunch of guys everyone thought were trash. Turns out they were really hard to beat and a hardened team that fought for each other night in and night out. Those guys were competitors to the Bone. I want guys like that.

I saw this Sharks video on YouTube, something along the lines of "Sharks Off Season" with Gregor, Sasha, Merks, and Bords. They went Axe Throwing, fun stuff.

They were asked "Who on the team would you not trust with an axe?"... You thinking who I'm thinking??

If you thought we had problems with Vlasic, I think the team has a long way to go when it comes to "a hardened team that fought for each other," not a hardened team that fought each other.

 

[Hobocop]

I saw this Sharks video on YouTube, something along the lines of "Sharks Off Season" with Gregor, Sasha, Merks, and Bords. They went Axe Throwing, fun stuff.

They were asked "Who on the team would you not trust with an axe?"... You thinking who I'm thinking??

If you thought we had problems with Vlasic, I think the team has a long way to go when it comes to "a hardened team that fought for each other," not a hardened team that fought each other.

I was just thinking earlier about how one of the knocks on Merkley coming out of the draft was attitude issues, lack of respect for his teammates, etc. They made it sound like that'd make him a risky pick.

I always see him in these sort of videos and it seems like the last thing I should worry about.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

I saw this Sharks video on YouTube, something along the lines of "Sharks Off Season" with Gregor, Sasha, Merks, and Bords. They went Axe Throwing, fun stuff.

They were asked "Who on the team would you not trust with an axe?"... You thinking who I'm thinking??

If you thought we had problems with Vlasic, I think the team has a long way to go when it comes to "a hardened team that fought for each other," not a hardened team that fought each other.

I’m so confused by this post. Was Vlasic the answer? What does any of this have to do with my post about Grier making this a competitive, underdog, group?

 

[hohosaregood]

I saw this Sharks video on YouTube, something along the lines of "Sharks Off Season" with Gregor, Sasha, Merks, and Bords. They went Axe Throwing, fun stuff.

They were asked "Who on the team would you not trust with an axe?"... You thinking who I'm thinking??

If you thought we had problems with Vlasic, I think the team has a long way to go when it comes to "a hardened team that fought for each other," not a hardened team that fought each other.

Apparently they went axe throwing again today

 

[themelkman]

Apparently they went axe throwing again today

To be honest Vlasics never really given the vibe that he likes anyone or anyone likes him.

 

[sharski]

I desperately need to know more about Vlasic's childhood

 

[Grinner]

I have a feeling this next years Sharks team is going to be a bit like those early VGK teams. A bunch of guys everyone thought were trash. Turns out they were really hard to beat and a hardened team that fought for each other night in and night out. Those guys were competitors to the Bone. I want guys like that.

Looks like if one's a fan of body on body hockey then at least we won't be dull anymore.

 

[Shark Finn]

So now that the cap space was spent on just about fringe players, how does the roster look like aside from bad?

 

[Jargon]

So now that the cap space was spent on just about fringe players, how does the roster look like aside from bad?

I think something like:

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
Eklund - Couture - Labanc
Lindblom - Bordeleau - Gregor
Bonino - Sturm - Lorentz

Ferraro - Karlsson
Vlasic - Merkley
Nutivaara - Benning

I think the bottom 6 is much stronger, actually - the top 6 is heavily dependent on Labanc and Eklund.

Defense looks pretty godawful.

I also think we have so many guys in the wings (Chlemevski, Gad, Reedy, Nieto, etc.) that I can see two of Bonino, Labanc and Nieto traded. No idea who fills the 2nd line spot if not Labanc, though.

 

[Mafoofoo]

I think something like:

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
Eklund - Couture - Labanc
Lindblom - Bordeleau - Gregor
Bonino - Sturm - Lorentz

Ferraro - Karlsson
Vlasic - Merkley
Nutivaara - Benning

I think the bottom 6 is much stronger, actually - the top 6 is heavily dependent on Labanc and Eklund.

Defense looks pretty godawful.

I also think we have so many guys in the wings (Chlemevski, Gad, Reedy, Nieto, etc.) that I can see two of Bonino, Labanc and Nieto traded. No idea who fills the 2nd line spot if not Labanc, though.

Weirdly enough I could see the team keeping Eklund, Bordeleau, Chlemevski, Reedy, Weatherby, etc in the AHL so the Cuda have a good season to sell tickets for the new arena.

 

[hohosaregood]

Weirdly enough I could see the team keeping Eklund, Bordeleau, Chlemevski, Reedy, Weatherby, etc in the AHL so the Cuda have a good season to sell tickets for the new arena.

I kinda want this to happen. With the new arena, it's gonna be way easier and funner to watch all the kids play together. Especially if there's potential for some serious Eklund/Bordeleau bromancing

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

I kinda want this to happen. With the new arena, it's gonna be way easier and funner to watch all the kids play together. Especially if there's potential for some serious Eklund/Bordeleau bromancing

And so that we don't roll over against the Ontario Reign and the Stockton Heat. I don't want @Hobocop to watch anymore losing down there.

 

[gaucholoco3]

I actually like the moves that they made. They can ice 12 legit NHL caliber forwards which is a welcome addition from the past 2 years. Now their D is a mess, but if they can bring in a #4 RD then I think they could have a better roster than last year.

Kunin/Lindblom - Hertl - Barabonov
Meier - Couture - Labanc
Kunin/Lindblom - Sturm/Bonino - Gregor
Nieto - Sturm/Bonino - Lorentz
Viel, Gadjovich

If they actually can move Labanc I would love for them to target Puljujarvi for that 2nd line spot (not saying Labanc as part of the package but would clear space). Maybe even an offer sheet for 4.2 mil which is only 2nd round compensation and hard for the Oilers to match.

Now this team is really lacking in playmakers but the best 2 young prospects are playmakers. If Eklund and Bordeleau can show they belong then my ideal lineup would be.

Meier - Hertl - Barabonov
Eklund - Couture - Puljujarvi
Lindblom - Bordeleau - Kunin
Bonino - Sturm - Gregor
Lorentz, Nieto

Now they still have a glaring hole on the right side of D and only 2 top 4 D (Ferraro is a #4 at best), that needs to be addressed otherwise they would have possibly the worst D in the league.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Meier-Hertl-Barabanov
Lindblom-Couture-Labanc
Eklund-Bonino-Kunin
Lorentz-Sturm-Gregor
Gadjovich, Nieto

Is what I'd guess. Think Bords gets sent down because he doesn't play the right style and he's young, also his positioning is/was bad at the end of last year. Just too many bodies. Maybe someone wises up and waives Gad to bring up Bords eventually. Chm down again too. Reedy down. Unless Labanc is moved I think they just prioritize the grinder lines and send everyone down except Eklund.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Hurricanes's fans are refusing in their prayer of Lorentz. Apparently he's an amazing defensive player?

Also, I wonder if Knyzhov is basically done...

 

[Stewie Griffin]

We still have a plethora of depth wingers and LHD. Seems like too many spots that will limit alot of opportunity for not only young guys but veterans like Nieto. Here's what I'm hoping for anyway:

Meier-Hertl-Barabanov
Eklund-Couture-Labanc
Lindblom-Bordeleau-Kunin
Gregor-Sturm-Reedy
Nieto, Lorentz

Trade Bonino or Nieto. We have too many left handed depth forwards. That team will struggle to score, but so be it.

Knyzhov-Karlsson
Ferraro-Merkley
Nutivaara-Benning
Vlasic

Vlasic will probably take 71's spot but he should not. Also trade Reimer.

Kahkonen
Hill

We're a few injuries from being the worst roster in the league. It just sort've sucks that while might be the worst roster in our division, we also aren't implementing a ton of high drafted youth.

 

[Alaskanice]

You roster guys are forgetting Veronneau.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

I guess this thread can be used about the overall day of the Sharks in Free Agency rather than just talking about the individual deals, and yesterday I did say something that was very overreactionary, which was it felt like a dark day in the franchise. That was hyperbole and I don't know how any of these signings will pan out. I think the thing that makes me angry about what the Sharks did was signing bottom tier players for long term deals. If the Sharks were serious about rebuilding and stockpiling, none of the signings should have been greater than 2 years, yet they signed a 3 year and a 4 year contract. Why? They are really going to bury a 4 year contract player in the minors? They go into yesterday looking to shed salary, but they came out of yesterday spending more than they should for a rebuild. Don't handcuff yourselves when the idea of a rebuild is to build up the prospect pool and get draft picks. As a Sharks fan, I'm frustrated about what their plan is. It feels like what Grier said during the press conference and what he actually did yesterday feel like a disconnect.

 

[one2gamble]

Meier-Hertl-Barabanov
Lindblom-Couture-Labanc
Eklund-Bonino-Kunin
Lorentz-Sturm-Gregor
Gadjovich, Nieto

Is what I'd guess. Think Bords gets sent down because he doesn't play the right style and he's young, also his positioning is/was bad at the end of last year. Just too many bodies. Maybe someone wises up and waives Gad to bring up Bords eventually. Chm down again too. Reedy down. Unless Labanc is moved I think they just prioritize the grinder lines and send everyone down except Eklund.

I dont think Eklund is up either. I bet none of the "younger" guys are up short of Gregor.

 

[spintops]

Meier-Hertl-Barabanov
Lindblom-Couture-Labanc
Lorentz-Bonino
-Sturm-kunin

First line is easy if you can get top 6 production from barb. Second line needs scoring, I don't think you can waste Couture in a shutdown role. Let Bonino center a shutdown line. I don't think eklund or Bords start on the big club. Kids will have to earn a spot it seems

 

[Hodge]

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
Eklund - Couture - Labanc
Lindblom - Bonino - Kunin
Lorentz - Sturm - Nieto

Probably not getting more than 160-175 goals out of that group which is great for the tank but at least the bottom six features six actual bonafide NHLers which is a huge step up from the last three seasons.

 

[SjMilhouse]

I have a feeling this next years Sharks team is going to be a bit like those early VGK teams. A bunch of guys everyone thought were trash. Turns out they were really hard to beat and a hardened team that fought for each other night in and night out. Those guys were competitors to the Bone. I want guys like that.

Seriously even if the team doesn't win a ton, I'd much rather watch a group that actually gives a shit vs what we've had the last 3 years

 

[one2gamble]

You roster guys are forgetting Veronneau.

sorry mr Veronneau

 

[STL Shark]

If they are tanking though, why not just admit it.

I truly fail to see how sucking ass on the ice, while proclaiming you are trying to win or be competitive, is better for PR than admitting we will looking toward the future and the that winning or making the playoffs is not a main concern right now.

Setting false expectations, and then doing the opposite of that is generally a pretty stupid idea.

How much more clear does Grier have to make it without saying it that they're resetting? He talked about taking a step or two back in his opening presser, mentioned it VERY clearly yesterday talking about Burns chasing the Cup/Playoff hockey with another team because that's not likely something he's going to be doing in SJ, etc.

I don't get the people that just refuse to listen to what is being said and craft a narrative that is wholly different than what is being said based on comments by an old interim GM that isn't running the show so that it fits their perceived preference to be pissy about everything.