Speculation: 2022-23 Sharks Roster Discussion Part II

[Pinkfloyd]

Don’t get me wrong, fellas, I realize most of our offense can’t play defense and most of our defense can’t help on offense, I just think offensively we’re going to be better and more fun to watch because we can actually
roll 4 lines of more or less offensively
talented players. We’re still going to lose games like 6-5 but that’s awesome, that’s like the best case tank scenario.

We'll be lucky if we score 2.5 goals per game this season. Even with Karlsson going off for 101 points, the team only scored 2.85 goals per game and we're not better offensively going from Meier and Karlsson to Hoffman, Granlund, Duclair, and Rutta. I could see us giving up less goals per game this season but I don't think we're doing better offensively with what we got.

 

[Jargon]

We'll be lucky if we score 2.5 goals per game this season. Even with Karlsson going off for 101 points, the team only scored 2.85 goals per game and we're not better offensively going from Meier and Karlsson to Hoffman, Granlund, Duclair, and Rutta. I could see us giving up less goals per game this season but I don't think we're doing better offensively with what we got.

I think we are.

Let’s make a bet, loser has to cheer for Vegas.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I think we are.

Let’s make a bet, loser has to cheer for Vegas.

I'm not willing to subject you or myself to that sort of punishment. lol

 

[OrrNumber4]

I can’t recall, maybe, “big.”
I just rewatched it, “He’s the next GUY in the NHL.”

That could mean anything! He's going to be an NHL player, a bigshot, etc.

 

[Alaskanice]

That could mean anything! He's going to be an NHL player, a bigshot, etc.

True.

 

[Sendhelplease]

Will be interesting to see if Quinn keeps the same system where the D are expected to pinch with reckless abandon to try and get the puck back every time we lose it in the offensive zone. Not sure if that was put in place just to juice EK's numbers but if not we could set the single season GA record.

I do wonder if moving towards a less aggressive system for the defenseman will help guys like Ferraro who might be more comfortable in less offensively aggressive role.

 

[TheBeard]

I do wonder if moving towards a less aggressive system for the defenseman will help guys like Ferraro who might be more comfortable in less offensively aggressive role.

Or, because there's no one else, he'll feel like he's got more of an offensive responsibility?

 

[mogambomoroo]

I think by moving EK65, you free up room mentally for other guys to do more and try things out. Because for all these years without playoffs it was always offence through Burns or Karlsson, and the systems were build around them. Now there is no bias towards one player to do it all. I think itself makes the team more interesting. I'm no professional athlete, but it isn't new that a good chemistry with mediocre group is better than no chemistry with 1-2 superstars.

 

[Jargon]

I’m very curious to see what system Quinn runs this year. I hope he continues the aggressive offensive system, it’s far more fun to watch and likely is better for pumping up stats for trades later. Their goal this year should should be to get Hoffman, Granlund and Duclair as many points as possible by the TDL.

 

[one2gamble]

I’m very curious to see what system Quinn runs this year. I hope he continues the aggressive offensive system, it’s far more fun to watch and likely is better for pumping up stats for trades later. Their goal this year should should be to get Hoffman, Granlund and Duclair as many points as possible by the TDL.

5 man trap in the neutral zone, get puck, clear, hope they score an own goal to win

 

[Jargon]

5 man trap in the neutral zone, get puck, clear, hope they score an own goal to win

I think with our defense the plan should just be to try and take shots from our own blue line.

 

[gaucholoco3]

We lost 153 points between Karlsson and Meier, I cannot conceivably see how those get replaced by the new additions.

There is a lot of double counting going on here. It’s about goals created. An EK assist to a Meier goal is a single goal.

 

[timorous me]

5 man trap in the neutral zone, get puck, clear, hope they score an own goal to win

If this team doesn't set a new record for icings, they're definitely doing something wrong.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

Definitely think Zadina will benefit from playing with guys like Eklund and Barabonov. Those 2 guys alone will find his tape when Zadina gets in his spot for those one timers. Dudes got a wicked shot.

 

[STL Shark]

I like Duclair a lot but he's clearly a huge downgrade from Timo on both sides of the puck. Hoffman and Granlund aren't just bad defensively, they're among the worst regular forwards in the league in that department. Bonino, Svechnikov, Lorentz, maybe even Gregor are better two-way players overall.

Also Hoffman and Granlund only put up points when given a featured role on the power play. If you can believe it, Hoffman actually had a lower 5v5 points per 60 rate over the last 3 seasons compared to Gregor and Bonino. Granlund was very slightly above Gregor and Bones but well below Labanc and Svechnikov. I am skeptical Hoffman and Granlund will even be able to score on the power play since we have nobody remotely resembling a QB and they're also just old and clearly declining.

They're not better two-way players. They're just one way players where that one way is defense rather than offense. The two way label gets thrown around way too flippantly to describe a defensively sound forward, but if said forward is useless in the offensive zone they're an even bigger deterrent than an offense only forward that can't play defense.

 

[Hodge]

They're not better two-way players. They're just one way players where that one way is defense rather than offense. The two way label gets thrown around way too flippantly to describe a defensively sound forward, but if said forward is useless in the offensive zone they're an even bigger deterrent than an offense only forward that can't play defense.

Bonino and Lorentz are better two-way players than Hoffman and Granlund because their net impact is greater. In terms of xGF% Bonino and Lorentz were break even last season while Hoffman and Granlund were at 43 and 45%. One stat never tells the whole story but those are horrific numbers for players who were fed the softest minutes possible.

Again I think people are just looking at the names and seriously underestimating how awful these players are right now. Just look at these player cards:

 

[tiburon12]

I wonder what "playing for a contract" Kevin Labanc will look like this year.

 

[Barrie22]

I wonder what "playing for a contract" Kevin Labanc will look like this year.

Probably the same usless player he is now and was in the year he made the so called handshake deal with wilson to sign him to this current contract.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

Labanc would need to make some massive strides as a player if he wants another contract in SJ. I don’t get the impression MG will keep a guy around who gets scratched and dumped down the lilineup as much as Labanc. It’s really unfortunate because I think Banker has the potentual to be a lot better.

 

[one2gamble]

I wonder what "playing for a contract" Kevin Labanc will look like this year.

Hopefully 3rd round pick good

 

[Hobocop]

LS already posted this article in the season previews section, but I thought it'd be worth putting Sheng's projected roster here:

Sharks 2023-24 projected roster with Erik Karlsson trade done

Sheng Peng breaks down how the Sharks’ roster is shaping up after the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade this summer.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

Hoffman-Couture-Barabanov
Eklund-Hertl-Duclair
Zadina-Granlund-Kunin
Zetterlund-Sturm-Labanc
Smith

Ferraro-Rutta
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Burroughs
Knyzhov, Okhotiuk

Blackwood
Kahkonen

I’m going with a full 23-man roster because Okhotiuk is not waiver-exempt, and the Sharks likely will want to see him in NHL action before they risk losing him on waivers.

In this scenario, Lindblom, Peterson, MacDonald, Gawanke, and Simek are candidates for trade or waivers.

Bordeleau is sent down.

 

[hockeyball]

LS already posted this article in the season previews section, but I thought it'd be worth putting Sheng's projected roster here:

Sharks 2023-24 projected roster with Erik Karlsson trade done

Sheng Peng breaks down how the Sharks’ roster is shaping up after the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade this summer.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

Hoffman-Couture-Barabanov
Eklund-Hertl-Duclair
Zadina-Granlund-Kunin
Zetterlund-Sturm-Labanc
Smith

Ferraro-Rutta
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Burroughs
Knyzhov, Okhotiuk

Blackwood
Kahkonen

Good Lord I need to watch more hockey this year as I don't know have the team anymore lol.

 

[landshark]

LS already posted this article in the season previews section, but I thought it'd be worth putting Sheng's projected roster here:

Sharks 2023-24 projected roster with Erik Karlsson trade done

Sheng Peng breaks down how the Sharks’ roster is shaping up after the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade this summer.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

Hoffman-Couture-Barabanov
Eklund-Hertl-Duclair
Zadina-Granlund-Kunin
Zetterlund-Sturm-Labanc
Smith

Ferraro-Rutta
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Burroughs
Knyzhov, Okhotiuk

Blackwood
Kahkonen

I found this part comical for some reason:

Defensemen​

Grier on who’s going to take over for Karlsson on the power play: “It's going to be internal. We'll give these guys opportunity at training camp and exhibition games, take a little bit more responsibility and try and chip in a little bit more offensively.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

LS already posted this article in the season previews section, but I thought it'd be worth putting Sheng's projected roster here:

Sharks 2023-24 projected roster with Erik Karlsson trade done

Sheng Peng breaks down how the Sharks’ roster is shaping up after the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade this summer.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

Hoffman-Couture-Barabanov
Eklund-Hertl-Duclair
Zadina-Granlund-Kunin
Zetterlund-Sturm-Labanc
Smith

Ferraro-Rutta
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Burroughs
Knyzhov, Okhotiuk

Blackwood
Kahkonen

I would send Thrun down to the AHL if it avoided risking Gawanke to waivers. I also don't think Peterson should be risked on waivers either. I absolutely would waive Smith or Labanc and assign them to the AHL over Peterson but we'll see what happens.

 

[NiWa]

I would send Thrun down to the AHL if it avoided risking Gawanke to waivers. I also don't think Peterson should be risked on waivers either. I absolutely would waive Smith or Labanc and assign them to the AHL over Peterson but we'll see what happens.

Agreed.
Peterson above 3-4 guys in particular.

But this is also what training camp & pre-season is for. We'll find out who really is ready to grab a spot and worth pushing someone else out for.