Speculation: 2022 Summer/off season Sharks Roster Discussion

[Cas]

I did and they started chanting “no loss, only win” when I suggested tanking for the top guys of next draft.

At least they didn't pull out a giant wicker shark head.

 

[Jargon]

Ghost roster:

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
(FA?!) - Couture - Labanc
Balcers/Kunin - Kunin/Bordeleau - Gregor/Dahlen
Nieto - Bonino - Weatherby/whoever

 

[Jargon]

Ghost roster:

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
(FA?!) - Couture - Labanc
Balcers/Kunin - Kunin/Bordeleau - Gregor/Dahlen
Nieto - Bonino - Weatherby/whoever

Errr totally forgot about Eklund.

So Eklund - Couture - Labanc? I’d love it if we could get a legit 2nd line winger in FA and frankly I think a Balcers - Bordeleau - Kunin line is kind of fascinating.

 

[JumboJoe23]

Meier Hertl barabanov
Bonino cooch eklund
Kunin bordaleau veronneau
Nieto reedy balcers

 

[Gecklund]

Ghost roster:

Meier - Hertl - Barabanov
(FA?!) - Couture - Labanc
Balcers/Kunin - Kunin/Bordeleau - Gregor/Dahlen
Nieto - Bonino - Weatherby/whoever

It’s hard to guess lines without a coach so I can’t say for sure but very few will stack their top line if the rest of the roster sucks. If I had to guess though, you’ll likely see:

Kunin-Hertl-Eklund
Timo-Couture-Barabanov
Balcers-Bordeleau-Gregor
Chmelevski-Bonino-Reedy

The top line is a big question mark as neither Kunin nor Eklund had good seasons last year. I think it would work pretty well though with Eklund getting some consistency and Kunin getting to play with actual good players. Eklund can be the playmaker and F2, Hertl the scorer and F3, and Kunin’s job is just to be an absolute puckhound and get in front of the net and F1. The second line is kind of a weird one but I think Timo and Barabanov started to show some chemistry and with Couture there, it should add another option. The third line worked last year, let’s try it again. The fourth line I just tried to throw some young guys there as both Reedy and Chmelevski looked really good to me last season and Bonino is a bit more of a steady presence there.

This lineup is obviously missing Labanc and Dahlen. I genuinely don’t see a spot for either with Eklund, Bordeleau, Barabanov playing similar style games to them. I think with all 5 on the roster, it becomes WAY too weak and WAY too easy to push around. If we get a different 3C, I could see Bordeleau starting in the A with one of those two coming in but it’s kind of hard to argue 5 points in your first 8 games even if they were all assists in third line minutes.

 

[themelkman]

Theres really no room for a free agent. The capspace just doesnt exist and it sure doesnt feel like any of the D are moving so I would expect something like these to be the starting lines. I sure dont think they trot out less tough guys than last season

Timo-Hertl-Barabanov
Eklund-Couture-Labanc
Balcers-Bordeleau-Kunin
Viel-Bonino-Nieto/Gadjovich/Raska

 

[Selachimorpha]

Theres really no room for a free agent. The capspace just doesnt exist and it sure doesnt feel like any of the D are moving so I would expect something like these to be the starting lines. I sure dont think they trot out less tough guys than last season

Timo-Hertl-Barabanov
Eklund-Couture-Labanc
Balcers-Bordeleau-Kunin
Viel-Bonino-Nieto/Gadjovich/Raska

Pretty much expecting this. No cap space to do anything. Use the year to build 'culture' and toughness I guess, sell off assets at the deadline. Rehabilitate some player's value and sell out if you can - Labanc, Simek, primarily.

Meier is the lynchpin here then. You lose enough this year, he probably doesn't want to sign an extension, so you trade him at the deadline too for another 1st + prospects. If he's gone, you might as well go through a 'R'ebuild... Team can't lose another top-6 forward for nothing.

Tough spot to be in really.

 

[Lebanezer]

Sharks have to get another top 6 forward to insulate Couture and the second line.

 

[landshark]

Sharks have to get another top 6 forward to insulate Couture and the second line.

Wish they could pick up a 2C and either force cooter to the wing or 3C.

 

[spintops]

I don't think Eklund or Bordeleau start the season with the big club, or contributing like top 6 forwards.

 

[Lebanezer]

I don't think Eklund or Bordeleau start the season with the big club, or contributing like top 6 forwards.

It all depends on the new coach, but I have a hard time not seeing Eklund at least given some time with the big club to start. It wasn't like he was that out of place with the team last year. He was a little physically overwhelmed at times, but I don't think that will bother him this coming season. Also the power play units without Bordeleau and Eklund will be atrocious.

Meier-Hertl-Couture
Labanc-Burns/Karlsson

Barabanov-Bonino-??
??-Burns/Karlsson

That second unit is gross. I would much rather see:
Eklund-Bordeleau-Barabanov
??-Burns/Karlsson

Or even switch Couture and Barabanov for some veteran leadership on the 2nd unit.

 

[themelkman]

Pretty much expecting this. No cap space to do anything. Use the year to build 'culture' and toughness I guess, sell off assets at the deadline. Rehabilitate some player's value and sell out if you can - Labanc, Simek, primarily.

Meier is the lynchpin here then. You lose enough this year, he probably doesn't want to sign an extension, so you trade him at the deadline too for another 1st + prospects. If he's gone, you might as well go through a 'R'ebuild... Team can't lose another top-6 forward for nothing.

Tough spot to be in really.

I cant remember but I thought I read or heard the org was giving Grier one year to be competitive before a rebuild, so I cant see why they would think doing nothing would make that happen

 

[Jargon]

I’m fairly certain we’re going to see a Burns trade, a tough defensive D-man signing, and a 2nd liner. But I might be too hopeful?

 

[fasterthanlight]

It's obvious that we will need to trade a goalie. But acting like we don't makes us seem less desperate, which could raise return value. GM MG 4D chess

 

[Selachimorpha]

I cant remember but I thought I read or heard the org was giving Grier one year to be competitive before a rebuild, so I cant see why they would think doing nothing would make that happen

So more or less the same rhetoric we've heard the last 2-3 years. Consistent with trying to improve the value of current players, and if no bueno, begin the selloff at the deadline 2023.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

It's obvious that we will need to trade a goalie. But acting like we don't makes us seem less desperate, which could raise return value. GM MG 4D chess

Which has always been hogwash when it comes to this situation. You're just better off getting something done than waiting it out.

 

[Selachimorpha]

It's obvious that we will need to trade a goalie. But acting like we don't makes us seem less desperate, which could raise return value. GM MG 4D chess

This only works for premium assets, not Reimer/Hill. Guys of this caliber are relatively attainable, and if someone is trying to wring your nuts for them, you just move on to other guys like Vanecek/Georgiev, or resign DeSmith. You're removing yourself from the market entirely.

 

[hohosaregood]

If only this was like video games so we could package Reimer+Dahlen+Balcers for Nylander

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

I think Kunin will be a pleasant surprise. He probably can run up and down the top 9 and bring value to each line where that grit and ability to score is needed.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Grier hasn’t given up on a Kakko deal. I’m just afraid he’d include our 2023 first for him.

 

[Gecklund]

I think Kunin will be a pleasant surprise. He probably can run up and down the top 9 and bring value to each line where that grit and ability to score is needed.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Grier hasn’t given up on a Kakko deal. I’m just afraid he’d include our 2023 first for him.

I think the idea is to compare him to Gregor just with a slightly better shot and more grit but with less speed. Is it a perfect comparison? Not at all but I think the team sees them as interchangeable.

 

[TheBeard]

It's obvious that we will need to trade a goalie. But acting like we don't makes us seem less desperate, which could raise return value. GM MG 4D chess

The plan is to only play Reimer against the worst scoring clubs to keep his numbers looking great for the deadline, play KK against the highest scoring teams to keep his bridge deal low and then play Hill against everyone else.

 

[JumboJoe23]

What other teams need a goalie right now?

Oilers and Maple Leafs?

 

[LadyStanley]

There are a number of teams who have one or both of their top goalies on the shelf to start the season.

And still some teams looking to improve their net minding.

So, either the organization is willing to risk putting Kahkonen on waivers, Hill starts season on IR, or MG might work something out.

(Nominally, teams who start season in Europe do so with a couple of extra players, and have to get down to roster compliance after return.)

 

[Gecklund]

What other teams need a goalie right now?

Oilers and Maple Leafs?

Washington, Arizona, Buffalo, Ottawa all need starters. Rangers, Philadelphia could probably use solid backups.

 

[OffSydes]

Ghost Roster:

Who-Cares-This
Team-is-straight
trash-and-it
wont-get-better

Any-time
soon-Fire
Mike-Grier

Now
Please