Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
We underestimated 2019 Joe Thornton. One of the big reasons the Sharks fell off after that year is that Thornton’s play took a nosedive.
Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion
- Thread starter WTFetus
- Start date
Jumbo also excelled at slowing the game down but had the size and puck protection skills along with his insane vision to do it. Labanc also needs too much time to process his decisions on offense. It’s why he has always been better on the PP and when playing with Jumbo he had more time to make those decisions.
Labanc would have been a lot better 10 years ago when the game was not as fast as it is today.
OffSydes
#tank2014/5
- Aug 14, 2011
- 3,402
- 2,108
I personally look forward to my new 4th line center Kevin Labanc. You can never have enough centers, isn't that our philosophy?
Sturm is in the photo as well
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
- 33,163
- 13,813
I still think if Labanc had committed to developing and honing his playmaking, he would still be relevant to us. I feel like his passing and creativity with the puck just dropped off hard and he just became a mediocre shooting winger.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
Yup. He used to be very creative, elusive, and smart about managing the puck. But he developed this weird shoot-first mentality, and he’s like the anti-Bedard with how slow he gets the shot off his stick, meaning every shot he takes is just so easily blocked or saved because everyone and their mom can tell what he’s about to do.
It's probably because his first years in the league he got benched or demoted for every single turnover he ever had and felt like he had to play hot potato with the puck every shift. He came in the first few years making really creative things happen but the play in other zones wasn't all there. They told him to focus intently on his other zone play and to simplify his offense, over and over and over until this is the result. A shitty bottom six winger, instead of an offensive top 6 forward.
Partially his fault, partially the Sharks, but he was never allowed to build on the things that made him special and was chastised for everything that he did wrong because of his style of play.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
Yeah, I think that’s a fair assessment, though I put it on Labanc more than the Sharks. I was, up until last season, a proponent of Labanc. The problem is that he refuses to put in the work and effort to earn a new coach’s trust. He’s a turnover and stick-penalty machine, you can’t do that and expect to play in the NHL unless the good far outweighs the bad, which it doesn’t for him.
Gecklund
Registered User
I wonder if we can get a first back if we take on Joseph and Brannstrom. We’d have to send a little bit of cap back but that should give them more than enough to sign Pinto. Maybe for Kunin?
Brannstrom is apparently friends with Zetterlund so maybe they can both bounce back together.
Brannstrom is apparently friends with Zetterlund so maybe they can both bounce back together.
- Oct 12, 2020
- 1,810
- 3,143
This could be a very good move for our perspective, Brännström has still some potential, I would love it.
Gecklund
Registered User
Yeah and even though he’s a LHD, he’s better on the right side so sort of fills that hole there too.
Even better we could find a taker for Ferraro so we don’t have to have his dead weight.
I actually thought that Ferraro and Labanc for Granlund since I read that Vancouver has injuries on the blue line and could look to add some help.
Gecklund
Registered User
I’d be open to that. I think I’d want an add on VAN’s side. I like Garland but that’s such a long contract.
Honestly I’m not sure why Ottawa would add a first. That seems steep when they can probably find a taker for Brannstrom for nothing.
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
- 33,163
- 13,813
They're sorta desperate to gain cap space to sign Pinto and Joseph has term. It's a tough contract for them to move but it'll be hard to pull a lot of value out of this
PacificOceanPotion
Registered User
- Jun 19, 2009
- 6,191
- 5,018
based off last night, either Blackwood is our unquestioned starter the rest of the way and into the future or he’s gonna be a prized trade target. Its one game and he has to continue to perform like he did last night but my gosh, I LOVED what I witnessed from Blackwood. Battling, solid positioning, timely saves, etc. dude was on his game.
Jargon
Registered User
So calm and collected. He seemed more confident than I’ve seen a Sharks goalie look since Jones was actually good.
PacificOceanPotion
Registered User
- Jun 19, 2009
- 6,191
- 5,018
Mr Fahrenheit
Valar Morghulis
- Oct 9, 2009
- 7,904
- 3,575
- Oct 12, 2020
- 1,810
- 3,143
I feel like we at least have a good 2nd second line in Eklund - Hertl - Zadina, very defensively oriented, can score and will likely get PP time also.
My optimistic lines for the future, with the assets we have or need:
1st line: Musty - ? - Smith
Top line with an elite center from either '24 or '25 draft, if Smith doesn't work out as NHL center
2nd line: Eklund - Hertl - Zadina
Defensive two-way line that can score.
3rd line: Halttunen/Couture - Bordeleau/Couture - Duclair/Barabanov
Depth scoring threat, Halttunen one timer and one of Duclair/Barbie (who ever signs, if signs)
If Bordeleau develops to be a scoring threat, he has a spot in the 3rd line, but he needs to be a center.
4th line: ?/G.Smith - Sturm - ?/Zetterlund
Physical defensive line. Sturm as a veteran keeping it up.
1st pair: Mukhamadullin - ? (2024 draftee hopefully)
Two-way threat, with hopefully a PP1 defencemen on the right
2nd pair Thrun - Hävelid/Cagnoni
Another two-way threat, with one of Thrun, Hävelid or Cagnoni taking the PP2 time with Mukhamadullin (PP2 with two defencemen)
3rd pair Ferraro - Rutta
Ferraro is here because of the locker room presence, playing less minutes he could work with help of veteran Jan Rutta.
Starter/1A: ?
Backup/1B: Blackwood
We need a true #1 goalie (through FA or trade) in case of Blackwood not having consistency.
My optimistic lines for the future, with the assets we have or need:
1st line: Musty - ? - Smith
Top line with an elite center from either '24 or '25 draft, if Smith doesn't work out as NHL center
2nd line: Eklund - Hertl - Zadina
Defensive two-way line that can score.
3rd line: Halttunen/Couture - Bordeleau/Couture - Duclair/Barabanov
Depth scoring threat, Halttunen one timer and one of Duclair/Barbie (who ever signs, if signs)
If Bordeleau develops to be a scoring threat, he has a spot in the 3rd line, but he needs to be a center.
4th line: ?/G.Smith - Sturm - ?/Zetterlund
Physical defensive line. Sturm as a veteran keeping it up.
1st pair: Mukhamadullin - ? (2024 draftee hopefully)
Two-way threat, with hopefully a PP1 defencemen on the right
2nd pair Thrun - Hävelid/Cagnoni
Another two-way threat, with one of Thrun, Hävelid or Cagnoni taking the PP2 time with Mukhamadullin (PP2 with two defencemen)
3rd pair Ferraro - Rutta
Ferraro is here because of the locker room presence, playing less minutes he could work with help of veteran Jan Rutta.
Starter/1A: ?
Backup/1B: Blackwood
We need a true #1 goalie (through FA or trade) in case of Blackwood not having consistency.
- Jul 25, 2007
- 4,565
- 5,651
As of now, Bystedt is trending to be a candidate for 2C. You missed his name in there. Cagnoni is not yet trending to be a top 4 D, but amazing if he makes it that far. I suspect guys like Ferraro, Rutta, G. Smith, Zetterlund, Duclair/Barby, Sturm will not still be around when Musty and Smith are top liners in 3-4 years.
Bystedt would be a great 3C behind Celebrini and Smith.
- Oct 12, 2020
- 1,810
- 3,143
Totally forgot about him for some reason, but that's even better for us to have Bystedt slot in somewhere. I think it's important that Sharks keep Hertl and Couture as depth when they start competing, IF they don't get a great offer for them in trade market.
I wouldn't be surprised if Smith ended up on Bystedt's wing on the 2nd line either
