Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part 1

[STL Shark]

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 think that is the exact approach that they should take, at least to start the season. Look at what the Marlies did when they had Nylander playing for them in 2014-15 and 2015-16 for most of the season. Go down there and get some confidence and work on actual skills and development rather than just trying to cling onto an NHL roster spot that will potentially stunt your long-term growth as a player.

Can't imagine Eklund and Bordeleau trying to shape their bodies and put on good weight with a Pacific Division travel schedule at the NHL level. All while trying to also just develop a more rounded game and skillset. Take these guys slow and let them overdevelop instead of underdevelop.

 

[hockeyball]

Yah I get the distinct impression (not having been watching every little detail lately) Grier is tanking, on purpose. Don't blame him, I would too. The odd's of us luring another Joe Thornton are low, we need to draft one, and to draft one we need a top-3 pick at some point here. Grier probably wasn't getting a lot of interest in our players but is probably hoping he can move a few more of them at the trade deadline this year. It doesn't make the upcoming season all that exciting to watch, but a top-3 pick really helps turn things around quickly.

 

[TheBeard]

It’s also funny that people were mad that they thought Grier was just a puppet and that Hasso was delusional by continuing to go for it, and now that it’s clear we’re not, people are still mad.

 

[one2gamble]

It’s also funny that people were mad that they thought Grier was just a puppet and that Hasso was delusional by continuing to go for it, and now that it’s clear we’re not, people are still mad.

People are mad because the team isn't significantly worse, nor significantly better. Not because of "changes"

 

[Hodge]

People are mad because the team isn't significantly worse, nor significantly better. Not because of "changes"

They just cap dumped their #1 defenseman. Of course they're significantly worse.

Also even just standing still rather than actively trying to improve the roster (which Grier has clearly not attempted to do) puts them in a better position as teams that finished behind the Sharks in the standings like Anaheim, Detroit, Columbus and New Jersey make their own improvements.

 

[TheBeard]

People are mad because the team isn't significantly worse, nor significantly better. Not because of "changes"

There’s literally no way of knowing that’s true until the season starts.

 

[Cas]

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

I think the issue with a Bonino shutdown line is that we already tried that and it was a massive disaster. Are guys like Lorentz and Kunin and Lindblom really going to be much better than Nieto and Cogliano, especially without a playdriver on their line? That line might be better than last year's Bonino line, but I doubt it'll be that much better and they need it to be many times better.

 

[one2gamble]

They just cap dumped their #1 defenseman. Of course they're significantly worse.

Also even just standing still rather than actively trying to improve the roster (which Grier has clearly not attempted to do) puts them in a better position as teams that finished behind the Sharks in the standings like Anaheim, Detroit, Columbus and New Jersey make their own improvements.

They didnt stand still though, they spent cap room they should have kept to solidify the bottom six which was chaotic and without identity the last few years. Keeping that space open likely would have made sense in order to use it at the deadline to facilitate a trade for another team.

Dropping Burns will cost them games but its not "enough" at this point

 

[Herschel]

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.

I don't think that is precisely what they were doing the past 3 seasons. I believe that last offseason it was very much DW's plan to have Kane in the opening day line-up. Adding a top-line player combined with Meier's breakout season likely means a playoff spot.

Now I get that wasn't a guarantee and that it might have led to not re-signing Hertl but it was a far different plan than what Grier is doing, which seems to be to strengthen the bottom 9 with proven NHLers.

 

[LadyStanley]

The final season roster won't be set until October 10-ish.

(As they are starting the season in Europe, they get 3 goalies, 8 D and 15F or so on the roster until they return.)

I don't expect MG to have the final pieces until perhaps September 1. That's in 49 days. Lots can happen (or not) in the next seven weeks. (My guess is that full camp starts circa 9/21, so that's NINE weeks away that roster moves can happen.)

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

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The Sharks have 37 players signed for next season, including two prospects who will probably be back in juniors. So that means another 10 players that need to be signed by MG.

In addition, the Barracuda have exactly ONE player signed for next season. Usually, the Sharks have carried 5-10 guys on AHL deals (in the A and ECHL) for injury/depth call ups). JW has some signings to do.


There may be 1 or more try out prospects from summer camp who get a deal with either SJ or Cuda.

 

[hockeyball]

I'm not going to judge Grier just yet, it's his first few days as a GM and even a chess grandmaster doesn't win a game by moving his first pawn. Grier might be terrible, he might not, but we don't have enough information yet to judge. The bad trade he made with Burns probably came down to a total lack of leverage, a lack of experience with the other GM's, and not having any 'favors' built up as I'm sure most GM's have. Expecting him to make a blockbuster trade on basically day 1 is a little unrealistic. He moved a player that likely wanted out (to compete) and we needed cap relief for, and did so with no leverage and no experience... It's not ideal, but I'm not going to judge him too strongly on it. If he continues to make bad deals for the next 12 months or so, then I'll be concerned.

 

[Boy Hedican]

Yah I get the distinct impression (not having been watching every little detail lately) Grier is tanking, on purpose. Don't blame him, I would too. The odd's of us luring another Joe Thornton are low, we need to draft one, and to draft one we need a top-3 pick at some point here. Grier probably wasn't getting a lot of interest in our players but is probably hoping he can move a few more of them at the trade deadline this year. It doesn't make the upcoming season all that exciting to watch, but a top-3 pick really helps turn things around quickly.

I agree, but rather than just "like", wanna also say welcome back! Your rational takes were missed.

 

[Jargon]

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.

The flaw in the bottom 6 is Bonino who wasn’t particularly good at being the 3C. I guess he’s currently the best option though.

I’m thinking Bonino and Labanc are still going to be traded, but we’ll see if there’s a market for either.

 

[Alaskanice]

I agree, but rather than just "like", wanna also say welcome back! Your rational takes were missed.

I couldn’t agree more.
Welcome back, Hockeyball!!

 

[Boy Hedican]

Also, Sheng's article last night is very telling. I mean, this part is a clear as day what's happening. We're getting the rebuild many of us feel is several seasons overdue...im stoked tbh, but sad to see so many of my sharks leave. But excited to see the next crop...Bedard, c'mon down!

Burns Is Gone — Are Couture, Karlsson, Hertl, or Meier Next?

"New San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier, a long-time player himself, appears to be approaching each of his stars to ask if they want to be around for name your “R” word: Rebuild, refresh, reset, recharge, replenish, what have you."

re: EK...

"The question to the GM: “Do you anticipate having any other conversations with your other veterans that were similar to the one you had with Brent?”

“I would let Erik lead the way,” Grier said, echoing what he shared about Burns. “Erik and I talked for about 20 minutes the other day, we had a really good conversation. I think he’s motivated, he’s feeling good. He’s training hard, enjoying being back home. I’m excited to see what he brings this season.”

That's just fluff speak after that first "Let Erik lead the way". EK has to be weighing his options out.

 

[Gecklund]

At this rate might as well just play two goalies each game.

 

[Hodge]

They didnt stand still though, they spent cap room they should have kept to solidify the bottom six which was chaotic and without identity the last few years. Keeping that space open likely would have made sense in order to use it at the deadline to facilitate a trade for another team.

Dropping Burns will cost them games but its not "enough" at this point

They will still have tens of millions in prorated cap space to launder at the deadline. Retaining 25% of a player's salary for a 6th round pick isn't a legitimate strategy to improve the team anyway.

This was one of the worst offensive teams in the NHL this past season and they just subtracted their 5th, 6th and 7th leading goal scorers without bringing anybody in to replace that offense. They now also have one of the worst defenses in the league on paper outside of Anaheim and maybe Arizona.

The Sharks are one injury to Hertl/Meier/Karlsson or modest regression from James Reimer away from being cemented in the bottom five of the league. This is exactly what needs to happen. I can't believe people are complaining unless you're a season ticket holder and have to pay to watch this shit in person.

 

[hockeyball]

I couldn’t agree more.
Welcome back, Hockeyball!!

Appreciate it, been a hectic few years for me, but I think things are starting to settle back down and I can hopefully enjoy watching games again here soon. I've been lurking though so I'm not totally out of touch, just mostly

 

[Levie]

I think Grier has one more huge trade to make before next offseason (most likely before TDL). One of Meier or Couture are probably gone. I don't see how they can have both on the team next season. Unless Hertl expresses he doesn't want to be on the team anymore.

 

[Alaskanice]

Appreciate it, been a hectic few years for me, but I think things are starting to settle back down and I can hopefully enjoy watching games again here soon. I've been lurking though so I'm not totally out of touch, just mostly

So glad to hear that things are settling down. No rush on getting back in touch. Do your thing and we welcome all your thoughts regarding Sharks stuff.

 

[OffSydes]

It’s also funny that people were mad that they thought Grier was just a puppet and that Hasso was delusional by continuing to go for it, and now that it’s clear we’re not, people are still mad.

You dont know the plan, this could be trying to compete.

 

[jarr92]

You dont know the plan, this could be trying to compete.

I mean Grier said he doesn't care about wins and losses at the moment, just effort. That's not something you say while trying to make the playoffs.

 

[STL Shark]

They didnt stand still though, they spent cap room they should have kept to solidify the bottom six which was chaotic and without identity the last few years. Keeping that space open likely would have made sense in order to use it at the deadline to facilitate a trade for another team.

Dropping Burns will cost them games but its not "enough" at this point

There will be plenty of space at the deadline to play money launderer on a deal for a 5th round pick. If you're making your decisions for the season based on having enough money to acquire a 5th round pick in 6 months, you've already lost.

 

[themelkman]

I think Grier has one more huge trade to make before next offseason (most likely before TDL). One of Meier or Couture are probably gone. I don't see how they can have both on the team next season. Unless Hertl expresses he doesn't want to be on the team anymore.

Meier is for sure gone by the end of next offseason.

I just don’t know if Grier will be the one doing the trading

 

[Levie]

Meier is for sure gone by the end of next offseason.

I just don’t know if Grier will be the one doing the trading

If Meier walks and he isn't traded I wouldn't know what to say. He seems like a perfect TDL player we could get a lot for.