Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part II

[STL Shark]

Hope he doesn't play with the Sharks this season. I don't want to root against our prospects.

Guessing he goes to the Cuda. They're trying to make a playoff run and I'd also venture that Eklund goes back there soon so his contract can slide another year. Probably let him finish off this home stand (3 games which puts him at 8) and then send him back before the road trip to Western Canada. Gives him 12 Cuda games as they make their playoff push

 

[Levie]

Guessing he goes to the Cuda. They're trying to make a playoff run and I'd also venture that Eklund goes back there soon so his contract can slide another year. Probably let him finish off this home stand (3 games which puts him at 8) and then send him back before the road trip to Western Canada. Gives him 12 Cuda games as they make their playoff push

How can Eklund's contract slide? I thought he already played the 9 games required for it to not slide? Or is it only on a per year basis?

 

[Cas]

But why? If he wants to come back, let him if we think he will improve this team.

Let's just say I have an issue with him deciding to stay where he is and leave it at that.

 

[Karl Prime]

How can Eklund's contract slide? I thought he already played the 9 games required for it to not slide? Or is it only on a per year basis?

It's per year.

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

 

[DG93]

I think the big thing is getting through these next 5 games without winning too many...big red flags are the huge Columbus tank bowl but also games vs Vancouver and the Islanders. Technically Seattle too since the Sharks beat them once already, but I doubt Seattle loses again. The last 10 are mostly a slaughterhouse other than Arizona although they're picking up points left and right and maybe the games vs Calgary given how quickly the Flames are falling out of the playoff race...other 7 are vs Vegas, Winnipeg x2, Colorado x2, and Edmonton x2. I could definitely see them go 2-7-1 in those 10 games at best, so the next 5 games are key.

 

[tiburon12]

I think the big thing is getting through these next 5 games without winning too many...big red flags are the huge Columbus tank bowl but also games vs Vancouver and the Islanders. Technically Seattle too since the Sharks beat them once already, but I doubt Seattle loses again. The last 10 are mostly a slaughterhouse other than Arizona although they're picking up points left and right and maybe the games vs Calgary given how quickly the Flames are falling out of the playoff race...other 7 are vs Vegas, Winnipeg x2, Colorado x2, and Edmonton x2. I could definitely see them go 2-7-1 in those 10 games at best, so the next 5 games are key.

I'd certainly be a fan of shit-kicking Columbus and having Karl get 4 points. Get him closer to 100 / Norris love so his value goes up, plus get some good vibes going with the team before the death circuit. We aren't gonna beat Vegas or Edm or Col barring some anomaly, no worries there

 

[STL Shark]

I think the big thing is getting through these next 5 games without winning too many...big red flags are the huge Columbus tank bowl but also games vs Vancouver and the Islanders. Technically Seattle too since the Sharks beat them once already, but I doubt Seattle loses again. The last 10 are mostly a slaughterhouse other than Arizona although they're picking up points left and right and maybe the games vs Calgary given how quickly the Flames are falling out of the playoff race...other 7 are vs Vegas, Winnipeg x2, Colorado x2, and Edmonton x2. I could definitely see them go 2-7-1 in those 10 games at best, so the next 5 games are key.

Isles are in a playoff battle and currently holding onto 8th in the East. They'll be motivated to get the easy points and even if they go with the trend of everyone else of late and play the backup goalie, their backup is Varlamov who starts on 1/2 of the teams in the league. Vancouver is on fire right now 7-2-1 in the last 10 and 4 wins in a row. Playing good hockey. Calgary is clinging onto the faintest of playoff hopes as well 6 points back of WPG so hopefully they see the games against SJ as easy points to try and claw back into the race.

Tonight is the big one to try and lose (obviously). SJ win tonight puts us at basically no shot of bottoming all the way out to last place. Lose tonight to CBJ and I think we are the favorites to bottom out given CBJ would be 1 point behind with SJ having played 2 more games. One way or another, think the target over the final 15 games is to keep it to less than 10 points.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

But, they can. Additionally, I don’t see any particularly strong reason why improvement is all that important for the remainder of the season.

Hey, if the org wants to give any of our prospects a taste of the NHL because they thinks productive - that seems like a prudent thing to do. If they don’t, that’s also fine with me.

Is Okhotiuk injured? It doesn't look like he's played with the Sharks or Barracudas yet.

 

[Gecklund]

Let's just say I have an issue with him deciding to stay where he is and leave it at that.

That’s definitely valid for sure. The only thing I will say is there could be more going on underneath the surface forcing him to stay. Whether that’s family or something else, he doesn’t necessarily have to agree with Russia.

 

[mogambomoroo]

In the event that Sharks drafts Bedard, do you guys think it's actually better to keep a player like Karlsson in the group as a veteran?
I know his contract is bad cap wise (which matters only when we are competing again), but skill wise he would be perfect player to compliment player like Bedard.

Some may say that top line wise there isn't really a big change in the group from this year group since we lost Meier and didn't really fill that hole. But I could see Sharks being even more active as a group with likes of Bedard and Eklund coming to fill that top 6 + Bordeleau, Mukh, Thrun & free agency as a possibility to make the group stronger.

Drafting Bedard would bring Sharks stocks up in a popularity as a team, and that will proabably help in free agency.
I mean who wouldn't want to play with Bedard? I know we haven't seen him play in a NHL game, but the statistics and overall history shows that there is going to be success.

 

[Gecklund]

In the event that Sharks drafts Bedard, do you guys think it's actually better to keep a player like Karlsson in the group as a veteran?
I know his contract is bad cap wise (which matters only when we are competing again), but skill wise he would be perfect player to compliment player like Bedard.

Some may say that top line wise there isn't really a big change in the group from this year group since we lost Meier and didn't really fill that hole. But I could see Sharks being even more active as a group with likes of Bedard and Eklund coming to fill that top 6 + Bordeleau, Mukh, Thrun & free agency as a possibility to make the group stronger.

Drafting Bedard would bring Sharks stocks up in a popularity as a team, and that will proabably help in free agency.
I mean who wouldn't want to play with Bedard? I know we haven't seen him play in a NHL game, but the statistics and overall history shows that there is going to be success.

It all depends to me. If Karlsson wants to go, then no it’s definitely not better to keep him. This applies to every vet.

If Karlsson wants to stay, then sure. Bedard and EK might cost us some games but they also would give us something to actually watch.

 

[LadyStanley]

Is Okhotiuk injured? It doesn't look like he's played with the Sharks or Barracudas yet.

Hasn't come to California, healing injury. Yet.

 

[Kcoyote3]

This team would feel a hell of a lot different without like 20 million in dead space from Jones, Burns, Vlasic, Labanc and Simek/Lindblom deals.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

This team would feel a hell of a lot different without like 20 million in dead space from Jones, Burns, Vlasic, Labanc and Simek/Lindblom deals.

Well, they could turn the 16.5 mil of the four active players on the team you reference into a shade over 4 mil with all buyouts. lol

 

[Pavelski2112]

That’s definitely valid for sure. The only thing I will say is there could be more going on underneath the surface forcing him to stay. Whether that’s family or something else, he doesn’t necessarily have to agree with Russia.

I think ON4 put it best (I think it was him who said it, anyway), but he's getting a good shot on a playoff team, making stable money, and doesn't have to worry about his job or playtime. Simple as that.

 

[landshark]

I think ON4 put it best (I think it was him who said it, anyway), but he's getting a good shot on a playoff team, making stable money, and doesn't have to worry about his job or playtime. Simple as that.

Plus he speaks the native tongue, right? I could see language barrier being a deterrent to going over to the KHL.

 

[Jargon]

On one hand, I’d be tempted to keep Karlsson if we get Bedard, on the other, we’re still missing a lot, even with him, so if Karlsson gets you a bunch of picks/players that can help you now, I’d still probably do it.

But, I mean, this doesn’t look horrible:

Eklund - Hertl - Zetterlund
Couture - Bedard - Barabanov
(FA signing) - Bordeleau - Johnson / Labanc / Kunin / FA
Lorentz - Sturm - Lindblom

Thrun - Karlsson
Mukh - Benning
Ferraro - Vlasic
Okhotiuk

It all depends on how a lot of rookies perform but it’s at least a fun team to watch!

 

[Friday]

Zetterlund banished

 

[Jargon]

Zetterlund banished

I kinda like this lineup. I always sort of thought Eklund could do well with Couture. Though, it's a little awkward because it puts two playmakers on Couture's wings... though I guess both can shoot fairly well now too, so we'll see!

 

[Karl Prime]

Ferraro-Benning is going to give up 3 goals tomorrow, book it.

A part of me wonders whether it was a mistake to put Zetterlund on the top line right away. A 23 year-old coming from a great team to a bad team, different system, being dealt for an elite goal scorer and then basically taking his spot in the lineup .... he could have been putting a lot of pressure on himself. I'm sure Quinn wants to see him go out there and make things happen on the 4th line, since he looked very passive with Hertl. Get on the forecheck, make a hit, crash the net, etc.

I kinda like this lineup. I always sort of thought Eklund could do well with Couture. Though, it's a little awkward because it puts two playmakers on Couture's wings... though I guess both can shoot fairly well now too, so we'll see!

I feel Labanc is more of a shooter than playmaker, even if he doesn't have a quick release. He's kind of a hybrid. I think that line could be decent together, and maybe Quinn wants Eklund away from Hertl so he can take charge a little more, since we know Logan and Kevin aren't really play-drivers. We know Hertl and Barabanov have chemistry so that's good.

 

[one2gamble]

Zetterlund banished

move sturm down to line 4 and you have a good 4th line!

 

[STL Shark]

On one hand, I’d be tempted to keep Karlsson if we get Bedard, on the other, we’re still missing a lot, even with him, so if Karlsson gets you a bunch of picks/players that can help you now, I’d still probably do it.

But, I mean, this doesn’t look horrible:

Eklund - Hertl - Zetterlund
Couture - Bedard - Barabanov
(FA signing) - Bordeleau - Johnson / Labanc / Kunin / FA
Lorentz - Sturm - Lindblom

Thrun - Karlsson
Mukh - Benning
Ferraro - Vlasic
Okhotiuk

It all depends on how a lot of rookies perform but it’s at least a fun team to watch!

We have the best version of Karlsson ever and our defense is still a mess. I'd be inclined to move him and start rebuilding that unit from sort of scratch.

Trade Karlsson ($2.5M) and Benning to Edmonton for Bouchard, Ceci, 2024 1st and 2025 1st.

Trade Ferraro and Gregor/Lorentz for Swayman's RFA rights and Reilly's cap dump (mid-round pick(s) to balance things). Using the fact that Boston was in on Gavrikov and then traded for Orlov as a sign they needed a D-Man.

Sign Severson to a 4 year $5M per year deal. Sign Bouchard to a 2 year $2.25M bridge. Sign Swayman to a 4 year $4M contract (similar-ish to Georgiev as comp from last year). Sign Barbashev to 4 year $4.25M deal.

Buyout Labanc and Simek.

Eklund - Hertl - Barabanov
Couture - Bedard - Zetterlund
Barbashev - Bordeleau - Kaut
Lindblom - Sturm - Kunin

Knyzhov - Severson
Thrun - Bouchard
Vlasic - Ceci

Swayman - Kahkonen

All of that and you still have $7M of 2023-24 cap space, have not hurt the prospect pool, and still have your 3 1st/2nd rounders from 2023, 4 in 2024, and 3 in 2025 to draft players or flip picks for RW help when the time comes.

 

[STL Shark]

We have the best version of Karlsson ever and our defense is still a mess. I'd be inclined to move him and start rebuilding that unit from sort of scratch.

Trade Karlsson ($2.5M) and Benning to Edmonton for Bouchard, Ceci, 2024 1st and 2025 1st.

Trade Ferraro and Gregor/Lorentz for Swayman's RFA rights and Reilly's cap dump (mid-round pick(s) to balance things). Using the fact that Boston was in on Gavrikov and then traded for Orlov as a sign they needed a D-Man.

Sign Severson to a 4 year $5M per year deal. Sign Bouchard to a 2 year $2.25M bridge. Sign Swayman to a 4 year $4M contract (similar-ish to Georgiev as comp from last year). Sign Barbashev to 4 year $4.25M deal.

Buyout Labanc and Simek.

Eklund - Hertl - Barabanov
Couture - Bedard - Zetterlund
Barbashev - Bordeleau - Kaut
Lindblom - Sturm - Kunin

Knyzhov - Severson
Thrun - Bouchard
Vlasic - Ceci

Swayman - Kahkonen

All of that and you still have $7M of 2023-24 cap space, have not hurt the prospect pool, and still have your 3 1st/2nd rounders from 2023, 4 in 2024, and 3 in 2025 to draft players or flip picks for RW help when the time comes.

Expanding on this (since it is already way too long for most to care to read), there is room for Muk and Okhotiuk to find roles on defense as well in the future. Let them marinate a year with the Cuda while we likely are drafting in the top 10 again in 2024. At that point, you have avenues to move on from Vlasic/Ceci and integrate those guys into the lineup.

It's also nowhere near a given that Thrun sticks or is the guy that gets the first crack at the 2nd pairing spot. Just used him since he's got leverage and likely assurances at getting into the lineup sooner rather than later.

 

[Karl Prime]

@STL Shark

That would be pretty nice. Shame it won't happen.

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

IIRC, someone on here actually said Labanc was better than Vrana. Hilarious. Think it was STL (ironic).