Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Friday]

I selfishly want W. Smith and Musty up to start next year. They probably should be another season out butttt it would give us a reason to tune in.

 

[Hodge]

I selfishly want W. Smith and Musty up to start next year. They probably should be another season out butttt it would give us a reason to tune in.

I fully expect both to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the 24-25 season. Musty probably gets sent back to juniors after his 9 game tryout but Smith should be a full time top six forward on the Sharks next season.

 

[Jargon]

I selfishly want W. Smith and Musty up to start next year. They probably should be another season out butttt it would give us a reason to tune in.

100%. Bring all the kids in! Have Bystedt and Havelid play too, they’re already playing against adults. Edstrom too. EVERYONE

I fully expect both to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the 24-25 season. Musty probably gets sent back to juniors after his 9 game tryout but Smith should be a full time top six forward on the Sharks next season.

I pray you’re right. I think Musty is going to be good off the bat and earn a contract. I just… I keep repeating this, but I think the kid is going to be a star sooner than later. He’s just got that swagger. He’ll make us forget all about Thomas Herzl.

 

[Friday]

100%. Bring all the kids in! Have Bystedt and Havelid play too, they’re already playing against adults. Edstrom too. EVERYONE



I pray you’re right. I think Musty is going to be good off the bat and earn a contract. I just… I keep repeating this, but I think the kid is going to be a star sooner than later. He’s just got that swagger. He’ll make us forget all about Thomas Herzl.

Musty going back to a league he's got nothing left to prove in would be a shame

 

[Jargon]

Musty going back to a league he's got nothing left to prove in would be a shame

Yeah, kid is putting up video game numbers at this point.

 

[GRANdSharks]

With musty I think the 9 game tryout is a given, personally I don't really think he Is close to being ready, his game needs to be rounded out more, it's unfortunate he can't play in the AHL cause thats probably the league that's best for his development long term

 

[TheBeard]

Musty going back to a league he's got nothing left to prove in would be a shame

Since we’re strictly making business decisions long term there’s zero chance musty plays beyond 9 games next year.

 

[Friday]

Since we’re strictly making business decisions long term there’s zero chance musty plays beyond 9 games next year.

You're not wrong. It doesn't make sense for the Sharks to start his ELC. Just hope a couple new faces with a future find their way onto the team next year

 

[TheBeard]

You're not wrong. It doesn't make sense for the Sharks to start his ELC. Just hope a couple new faces with a future find their way onto the team next year

It depends on where the lotto luck falls, but either way I’m not expecting Grier to do anything immediately gratifying in terms of next year. Expect a lot of low risk signings like Duclair and Zadina again. We’re gonna be the the place for players looking for a last chance and not the place for in-demand guys looking to win.

 

[Shark Finn]

So, who's left from the old regime? Couture and Vlasic? Damn.

 

[Kat Predator]

I found this interesting in Grier’s interview and it goes with what I figured he was going to do:

“I think next year is a plan from my point of view, and Hasso’s point of view is to take a step forward. Whether we got to add some veterans and things that kind of supplement the young players, but we’ll have some young players that will be bringing some excitement and hopefully some energy into the franchise and into the building.

Hopefully this summer is a good summer–and hopefully, we get a little luck with the lottery. Hopefully next year, we’re in a season where we can kind of take a step forward, after two years of kind of peeling it back a little bit.”

So aside from hoping for Celebrini, it sounds like he may actively try to be involved in FA and trades that might make sense. I think this year was rock bottom, now we get to see if Grier is as good at building a team as he is tearing one apart.

Well, it's not like there is a lot left to shove into the wood chipper at this point. Couture and Vlasic, but they'll be gone soon enough.

So, yeah, the honeymoon is over. Grier only gets one "burn everything to the ground and start over". Either start rebuilding or languish at rock bottom until you get fired, here we are.

 

[TheBeard]

So, who's left from the old regime? Couture and Vlasic? Damn.

Labanc.

 

[DG93]

I don't think we're ever going to have watch an abomination like this year's ever again (this was the year they bottomed out with a bunch of garbage, a few solid depth players, injuries, and Eklund). The team will still be very bad next year and likely in 2025-2026 as well, but at least there will be more to look forward to. Musty may end up sticking around depending on how his 9-game tryout goes, Mukh should be in the top-4 next year (the Okhotiuk move, even if minor, seems to indicate that as well as they try to clear the LD logjam), and Will Smith may be NHL ready as well. If they get lucky in the draft, Celebrini will be there as well. Although they likely won't be big contributors, Gushchin and Bordeleau probably get a crack at it. An opening lineup with a top-9 of Zetterlund-Celebrini-Eklund, Musty-Smith-Couture (or another vet if he can't go), Gushchin-Granlund-Bordeleau/Zadina will be fun to watch (unlike this year).

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't think we're ever going to have watch an abomination like this year's ever again (this was the year they bottomed out with a bunch of garbage, a few solid depth players, injuries, and Eklund). The team will still be very bad next year and likely in 2025-2026 as well, but at least there will be more to look forward to. Musty may end up sticking around depending on how his 9-game tryout goes, Mukh should be in the top-4 next year (the Okhotiuk move, even if minor, seems to indicate that as well as they try to clear the LD logjam), and Will Smith may be NHL ready as well. If they get lucky in the draft, Celebrini will be there as well. Although they likely won't be big contributors, Gushchin and Bordeleau probably get a crack at it. An opening lineup with a top-9 of Zetterlund-Celebrini-Eklund, Musty-Smith-Couture (or another vet if he can't go), Gushchin-Granlund-Bordeleau/Zadina will be fun to watch (unlike this year).

The problem to address moving forward is the blue line. We have Mukhamadullin as a hopeful impact defenseman but not much else. I still think they need to do a lot there. I would buy out Vlasic, trade Ferraro, trade Rutta or Burroughs. I think you bring back Emberson, Benning because they probably can’t trade him or buy him out, and one of Rutta or Burroughs. Have Mukhamadullin, Thrun, and a free agent defenseman and allow the kids a chance to earn a spot and maybe Havelid or Thompson steps in and makes an impact to relegate someone like Benning or Rutta/Burroughs to the bench as an extra and that would be fine.

I want to see an aggressive retool there this off-season.

 

[Grinner]

Isn't Matt Roy UFA at the end of the season?
He'd be a nice addition to the back end

 

[tiburon12]

That was before we traded Hertl. Now it's clear we're going 100% scorched earth.

Gotcha, because there definitely was some logic to signing to Hanafin. Not so much anymore

 

[DG93]

The problem to address moving forward is the blue line. We have Mukhamadullin as a hopeful impact defenseman but not much else. I still think they need to do a lot there. I would buy out Vlasic, trade Ferraro, trade Rutta or Burroughs. I think you bring back Emberson, Benning because they probably can’t trade him or buy him out, and one of Rutta or Burroughs. Have Mukhamadullin, Thrun, and a free agent defenseman and allow the kids a chance to earn a spot and maybe Havelid or Thompson steps in and makes an impact to relegate someone like Benning or Rutta/Burroughs to the bench as an extra and that would be fine.

I want to see an aggressive retool there this off-season.

I don't think they trade Ferraro at this point...I think they'll make him the captain once Couture retires. Vlasic buyout makes sense (not too bad financially if they do it this summer). I agree with bringing Emberson back. I think they keep Benning and Rutta for veteran leadership, and they're solid bottom pairing guys that could be flipped at the deadline. Burroughs seems like a #7 who sits in the pressbox most nights if the blueline is healthy + he is cheap. I bet they roll out Mukh-Rutta, Ferraro-Emberson, Thrun-Benning next year. I could see them adding a defenseman in free agency as well.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't think they trade Ferraro at this point...I think they'll make him the captain once Couture retires. Vlasic buyout makes sense (not too bad financially if they do it this summer). I agree with bringing Emberson back. I think they keep Benning and Rutta for veteran leadership, and they're solid bottom pairing guys that could be flipped at the deadline. Burroughs seems like a #7 who sits in the pressbox most nights if the blueline is healthy + he is cheap. I bet they roll out Mukh-Rutta, Ferraro-Emberson, Thrun-Benning next year. I could see them adding a defenseman in free agency as well.

I feel like if you can get a 1st for Ferraro, he should be moved. I think you can sign a vet for Emberson in the free agent market. They still need more prospects and picks to address their lack of talent because even with the picks they have and a seemingly healthy group of young forwards, they will need to invest more on defense. They have to expect some busts through this process.

 

[DG93]

I feel like if you can get a 1st for Ferraro, he should be moved. I think you can sign a vet for Emberson in the free agent market. They still need more prospects and picks to address their lack of talent because even with the picks they have and a seemingly healthy group of young forwards, they will need to invest more on defense. They have to expect some busts through this process.

Oh yeah, I definitely would trade Ferraro for a 1st. I just don't think they're going to trade Ferraro as they see him as the next captain.

 

[Jargon]

I feel like Granlund has taken ownership of this team in such a positive, amazing way that I would consider signing him after next year. He’s got Captain vibes right now, really carrying the kids. He also seems to be doing a lot of teaching - I really dig him.

 

[DG93]

I feel like Granlund has taken ownership of this team in such a positive, amazing way that I would consider signing him after next year. He’s got Captain vibes right now, really carrying the kids. He also seems to be doing a lot of teaching - I really dig him.

Yeah, him and Duclair seem like great role models. I'd love to see Duclair back next year

 

[Jargon]

Yeah, him and Duclair seem like great role models. I'd love to see Duclair back next year

Same! If Smith and Musty make the team, Duke and Granlund would really help as the vet leaders, particularly with Couture likely out.

Man, poor Cooch. I really feel bad for the guy. I hope he takes a bunch of time off and his injury heals. Can you imagine how cathartic it would be if this team won the Cup with Old Man Couture?!

 

[DG93]

Same! If Smith and Musty make the team, Duke and Granlund would really help as the vet leaders, particularly with Couture likely out.

Man, poor Cooch. I really feel bad for the guy. I hope he takes a bunch of time off and his injury heals. Can you imagine how cathartic it would be if this team won the Cup with Old Man Couture?!

A forward group with Duclair-Celebrini-Eklund, Zetterlund-Smith-Musty, Gushchin-Granlund-Bordeleau, Kostin-Sturm-Zadina next year would be a lot of fun. If Musty goes back to juniors after a 9-game trial run, just bump up Zadina to his spot.

 

[timorous me]

There’s no way Granlund and Eklund are going to shoulder the top two lines all year next year right? Are there any centers available in UFA that are good stopgaps/vet guys and may possibly sign here?

The hardest thing about this rebuild is that we had trouble signing FAs when we were good… now…

The first guy that came to mind for me was Jack Roslovic. We'll see how he does on trial with the Rangers (where he's starting out on the wing), but the appeal is some seemingly untapped potential and his age (just turned 27).

Obviously it'll depend on his market but the Sharks can obviously overpay and possibly offer him a bigger role from the get-go. I'm not sure if it's realistic for the Sharks to get anyone better than that, though.

 

[Shark Finn]

Labanc.

He hasn't been around that long.