Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part II

[Internazionale]

I've really enjoyed reading all of this, thank you for sharing! So hear me out but it sounds like this is a lot of the Sharks' roster next year:

Top-6: Couture, Hertl, Barabanov
Middle-6: Labanc (hit or miss),
Bottom-6: Sturm, Lorentz, Gregor, Lindblom, Zetterlund (if he makes the team)

Top-4: EK65, Ferraro
Bottom-4: Benning, Thrun, Knyzhov, Vlasic

Goalies: Kahkonen, ?

Looks like they have ~$14MM to throw around and more if they trade EK65. any FAs that the board is high on rn, especially for the top-6?

I still want to see Zetterlund playing on one of the top 2 lines. With a full training camp, and more understanding of the system, I'm still hopeful we have something in him.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I'd give him a mid-season call-up tbh. It's not like he's the only guy from his draft class being slowly brought up. Guenther's played 33 games, Edvinsson 9, Hughes 2, Clarke 9, Boucher 0, Coronato 1. Hell, there are plenty of guys from the 20 draft who've played sparingly.


I think he can be. Frankly, we don't have any pure goal scoring options on this team. I'd still like to see him pack on more muscle.

There's no way Eklund isn't on the Sharks throughout the season. Who you might play him with is certainly debatable but I'd be shocked if he played for the Barracuda next season. There's no justifiable reason to do so unless he has some horrific injury setback.

 

[TheBeard]

There's no way Eklund isn't on the Sharks throughout the season. Who you might play him with is certainly debatable but I'd be shocked if he played for the Barracuda next season. There's no justifiable reason to do so unless he has some horrific injury setback.

I think from an excitement factor he should be there, but I'm expected a lot more turnover this offseason so I'd rather he start with the Cuda until the team's vets gel for the first few games and then bring him up. I want there to be a predetermined place for him in the line-up when that happens and not just a "plug and play" option.

 

[Hodge]

I'd give him a mid-season call-up tbh. It's not like he's the only guy from his draft class being slowly brought up. Guenther's played 33 games, Edvinsson 9, Hughes 2, Clarke 9, Boucher 0, Coronato 1. Hell, there are plenty of guys from the 20 draft who've played sparingly.

Why would the roster be any better midseason? 3 of those guys are defensemen, Boucher is a confirmed bust, Coronato just left college and Guenther is guaranteed to be on the Coyotes opening night roster barring injury. I was all for sliding his ELC two years but it's time to find out what we actually have in Eklund.

 

[TheBeard]

Why would the roster be any better midseason? 3 of those guys are defensemen, Boucher is a confirmed bust, Coronato just left college and Guenther is guaranteed to be on the Coyotes opening night roster barring injury. I was all for sliding his ELC two years but it's time to find out what we actually have in Eklund.

It probably won't be, but I don't want him to be given a spot just because of his pedigree. He's gotta earn it. I don't see Grier or Quinn being overly willing to hand him a spot over a hand-picked vet.

 

[Pavelski2112]

It probably won't be, but I don't want him to be given a spot just because of his pedigree. He's gotta earn it. I don't see Grier or Quinn being overly willing to hand him a spot over a hand-picked vet.

Imo he has earned it, the way he was playing at the end of last season.

 

[Hodge]

It probably won't be, but I don't want him to be given a spot just because of his pedigree. He's gotta earn it. I don't see Grier or Quinn being overly willing to hand him a spot over a hand-picked vet.

Eklund is clearly one our 14 best forwards, pretty much regardless of what offseason moves we make, so he has earned it IMO. Quinn was feeding him consistent first line and first PP minutes during his call up so I'm pretty sure he agrees.

 

[Barrie22]

It probably won't be, but I don't want him to be given a spot just because of his pedigree. He's gotta earn it. I don't see Grier or Quinn being overly willing to hand him a spot over a hand-picked vet.

He earned it last season and was told sorry you not being paid in NHL money is more important.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

How did Benning and Nutivaara do?

Unfortunately the first played last season and the second didn't!

all you get is a dollar store pack of sandpaper.

And you'll like it!


Welcome aboard!

 

[TheBeard]

He earned it last season and was told sorry you not being paid in NHL money is more important.

Would there have been a reason to burn off a year last year with that squad?

Eklund is clearly one our 14 best forwards, pretty much regardless of what offseason moves we make, so he has earned it IMO. Quinn was feeding him consistent first line and first PP minutes during his call up so I'm pretty sure he agrees.

No doubt he is, but would playing him on the 3rd or 4th lines do anything for his development? I'd already stated I'd be happy with him playing on the second line with Couture, but in no way do I see a point of giving him the first line.

 

[Erep]

Would there have been a reason to burn off a year last year with that squad?

So actually yes, there is. People focus on getting ELC value, which is nice, but the real value comes on burning through the ELC while they are still developing, and getting top talent on cheap 8 year deals like Hughes and Draisaitl.

 

[Barrie22]

Would there have been a reason to burn off a year last year with that squad?


No doubt he is, but would playing him on the 3rd or 4th lines do anything for his development? I'd already stated I'd be happy with him playing on the second line with Couture, but in no way do I see a point of giving him the first line.

Yes to keep the player happy, especially since the first year he could be in the NHL/AHL wilson and management team did everything wrong that made him and his agent upset. And then that followed a horrible season in Sweden and made his first half in the AHL this year be a struggle. Keep holding him back just means it takes him longer to actually become into his potential.

 

[TheBeard]

Yes to keep the player happy, especially since the first year he could be in the NHL/AHL wilson and management team did everything wrong that made him and his agent upset. And then that followed a horrible season in Sweden and made his first half in the AHL this year be a struggle. Keep holding him back just means it takes him longer to actually become into his potential.

That is fair.

 

[LadyStanley]

Sharks one of four potential teams mentioned who may be able to weaponize cap space.

 

[Hodge]

Would there have been a reason to burn off a year last year with that squad?


No doubt he is, but would playing him on the 3rd or 4th lines do anything for his development? I'd already stated I'd be happy with him playing on the second line with Couture, but in no way do I see a point of giving him the first line.

If Eklund and Couture played together on a line they would draw the toughest matchups and become our de facto first line. Realistically he should play with both Couture and Hertl until he develops chemistry with one of them.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Eklund - Hertl - Couture is not a bad line. Especially if they trade Barabonov.

The next 3 lines would be really bad but it would be good for Eklund’s development.

 

[TheBeard]

If Eklund and Couture played together on a line they would draw the toughest matchups and become our de facto first line. Realistically he should play with both Couture and Hertl until he develops chemistry with one of them.

I guess it depends on what the team does with Barb. No matter where you put Ek, because of the lack of options he’ll be on the first line. It’s one thing to have him play regularly, but another to have him be part of our top grouping. I do anticipate Grier bringing him some offensive minded reclamation projects this off-season. Patches for example.

Eklund - Hertl - Couture is not a bad line. Especially if they trade Barabonov.

The next 3 lines would be really bad but it would be good for Eklund’s development.

As long as they’re not playing them 25 minutes a game.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I think from an excitement factor he should be there, but I'm expected a lot more turnover this offseason so I'd rather he start with the Cuda until the team's vets gel for the first few games and then bring him up. I want there to be a predetermined place for him in the line-up when that happens and not just a "plug and play" option.

I don't see a positive to be had by leaving Eklund out of the gelling process. Now that he's past the slide stuff, it really should be a matter of who are their best forwards scoring-wise to fill out their top nine and Eklund is easily one of those. If you want him to step into a stable line, it's best to just plug him in immediately with either Hertl or Couture and figure out who the third guy is going to be. I think right now the best option for the third guy is either Kunin or Zetterlund.

 

[TheBeard]

I don't see a positive to be had by leaving Eklund out of the gelling process. Now that he's past the slide stuff, it really should be a matter of who are their best forwards scoring-wise to fill out their top nine and Eklund is easily one of those. If you want him to step into a stable line, it's best to just plug him in immediately with either Hertl or Couture and figure out who the third guy is going to be. I think right now the best option for the third guy is either Kunin or Zetterlund.

I’d prefer Kunin. He seems likely to step in to watch over Ek while cooter is more a liability to hurt himself more than anyone.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I’d prefer Kunin. He seems likely to step in to watch over Ek while cooter is more a liability to hurt himself more than anyone.

I don't mind that choice. Eklund-Couture-Kunin is a solid line combo to me. The Hertl line may be a bit of an issue but I'm not terribly concerned when next year is going to be a shitstorm of a season due to the loss of Meier and likely Karlsson.

 

[hohosaregood]

I don't mind that choice. Eklund-Couture-Kunin is a solid line combo to me. The Hertl line may be a bit of an issue but I'm not terribly concerned when next year is going to be a shitstorm of a season due to the loss of Meier and likely Karlsson.

I think they'll change up the system a lot if Karlsson leaves and it'll probably be better for Hertl if it does happen. He had to cover the point and play with more defensive responsibilities than he optimally can.

 

[Alaskanice]

Sadly, I think if Karlsson does go, it has to be to a legitimate contender who will need to make a trade that looks more as the Timo trade. Lots of moving pieces. This team is going to be different.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Someone pointed out a good point in the trade forum. It's very important for MG to get actual value from Karlsson trade because we lose a retention spot for 4 years after the trade and retention happens. That is something we are going to need as a clearly rebuilding team. MG please do your best.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I think they'll change up the system a lot if Karlsson leaves and it'll probably be better for Hertl if it does happen. He had to cover the point and play with more defensive responsibilities than he optimally can.

You're probably right but I don't see those adjustments as something that they need much time on and either would be a good anchor for Eklund to have to figure it out quicker than others.

 

[Jargon]

There’s no world where Eklund needs to play on the Barracuda ever again. I think he may look good with Couture and Barabanov because they sorta complement each other (I don’t actually love how he looks with Hertl) but he can and should easily play a top 6 role. He’s likely our 3rd best forward currently. I think not playing him will hurt his development more at this point.