Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[gaucholoco3]

This site refreshing mid message might be the thing that drives me to my death.

The more I think about it the more I think Smith should be in the top 6, with Granlund — like Eklund starting with Hertl.

So, something like:

Smith - Granlund - Zetterlund
Eklund - Celebrini - Vet FA scorer
Bordeleau - Dellandrea - Kostin
Goodrow - Sturm - Kunin (this is a good 4th line)
G. Smith

Celebrini’s line will become the 1st line quicker than we think, especially if they get an OK winger. Smith has kind of a similar player to learn from in Granlund - and if Couture comes back, he can take the center spot on that line with Granny either playing wing on the second line or 3C.

I don’t hate these lines. Lots of youth, guys who can play some defense, rookies have some support.

I really want to just say screw it and run Eklund - Celebrini - Smith as a line. They would actually compliment each other well and Celebrini is probably the Sharks best defensive forward from day one.

Kostin - Granlund - Zetterlund
Eklund - Celebrini - Smith
Zadina - Couture - Kunin
Goodrow - Sturm - Dellandrea

If Couture is done then trade 33 and 42 for JGP, 20, 53 and if he won’t waive his NTC no problem just trade the picks and claim him on waivers.

 

[Bizz]

I really want to just say screw it and run Eklund - Celebrini - Smith as a line. They would actually compliment each other well and Celebrini is probably the Sharks best defensive forward from day one.

Kostin - Granlund - Zetterlund
Eklund - Celebrini - Smith
Zadina - Couture - Kunin
Goodrow - Sturm - Dellandrea

If Couture is done then trade 33 and 42 for JGP, 20, 53 and if he won’t waive his NTC no problem just trade the picks and claim him on waivers.

zero chance Zadina gets qualified, especially after being benched most of the 2nd half of last season. I'd rather see Borderleau in that spot.

 

[tiburon12]

zero chance Zadina gets qualified, especially after being benched most of the 2nd half of last season. I'd rather see Borderleau in that spot.

The only way he gets qualified is if Grier ID'd that the problem last year wasnt his compete, but rather his usage under Quinn. And if Warso thinks there is more there that can be unlocked.

 

[STL Shark]

I really want to just say screw it and run Eklund - Celebrini - Smith as a line. They would actually compliment each other well and Celebrini is probably the Sharks best defensive forward from day one.

Kostin - Granlund - Zetterlund
Eklund - Celebrini - Smith
Zadina - Couture - Kunin
Goodrow - Sturm - Dellandrea

If Couture is done then trade 33 and 42 for JGP, 20, 53 and if he won’t waive his NTC no problem just trade the picks and claim him on waivers.

Who is your F1 forechecking presence on that line?

Either way, there are more moves coming to this forward group. We got the gritty bottom 6 pieces out of the way, so time to get a running mate that can put the puck in the net to play with one of the youngsters.

Also expecting a Ferraro to Carolina with Orlov coming back as part of the package trade to happen so that Orlov can help mentor a fellow Russian LHD this season.

 

[Juxtaposer]

This site refreshing mid message might be the thing that drives me to my death.

The more I think about it the more I think Smith should be in the top 6, with Granlund — like Eklund starting with Hertl.

So, something like:

Smith - Granlund - Zetterlund
Eklund - Celebrini - Vet FA scorer
Bordeleau - Dellandrea - Kostin
Goodrow - Sturm - Kunin (this is a good 4th line)
G. Smith

Celebrini’s line will become the 1st line quicker than we think, especially if they get an OK winger. Smith has kind of a similar player to learn from in Granlund - and if Couture comes back, he can take the center spot on that line with Granny either playing wing on the second line or 3C.

I don’t hate these lines. Lots of youth, guys who can play some defense, rookies have some support.

So who is taking the shutdown matchups in your lineup then?

Playing Smith with Granlund or Celebrini with Eklund is not the same as playing Hertl with Thornton or Eklund playing with Hertl in the past. Thornton and Hertl respectively were elite possession players who could handily win top matchups on their own and had defensemen who could also handle their matchups, effectively putting Hertl and Eklund respectively in good situations.

Granlund and Eklund got their pants handed to them last year. They lost possession matchups to a very bad degree and struggled to get meaningful offensive zone time, like every shift on the team. Putting Smith with one of them exposes him way too much and isn’t the same as easing in top prospects on top-6 lines in the past.

Smith should be sheltered to the highest degree possible and Celebrini to the next highest degree.

 

[STL Shark]

So who is taking the shutdown matchups in your lineup then?

Playing Smith with Granlund or Celebrini with Eklund is not the same as playing Hertl with Thornton or Eklund playing with Hertl in the past. Thornton and Hertl respectively were elite possession players who could handily win top matchups on their own and had defensemen who could also handle their matchups, effectively putting Hertl and Eklund respectively in good situations.

Granlund and Eklund got their pants handed to them last year. They lost possession matchups to a very bad degree and struggled to get meaningful offensive zone time, like every shift on the team. Putting Smith with one of them exposes him way too much and isn’t the same as easing in top prospects on top-6 lines in the past.

Smith should be sheltered to the highest degree possible and Celebrini to the next highest degree.

I'd go with something like this:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
UFA/Trade-Smith-Granlund
Kostin-Couture/Pageau-Dellandrea
Goodrow-Sturm-Kunin

I'd try and get the top two lines something like 55-60 percent OZ starts (caveat being we need enough OZ starts to make that happen) while pushing the bottom 6 full of more veteran/defensive guys toward most of the DZ starts. Think that would be a respectable forward group depending who that 2nd line winger spot goes to (could even make that Couture if you wanted to further insulate Smith - who I think needs it more than Macklin).

 

[gaucholoco3]

Who is your F1 forechecking presence on that line?

Either way, there are more moves coming to this forward group. We got the gritty bottom 6 pieces out of the way, so time to get a running mate that can put the puck in the net to play with one of the youngsters.

Also expecting a Ferraro to Carolina with Orlov coming back as part of the package trade to happen so that Orlov can help mentor a fellow Russian LHD this season.

While he doesn’t “hit” and he isn’t big, Eklund is an excellent forechecker; putting pressure on the D and creating turnovers.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I'd go with something like this:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
UFA/Trade-Smith-Granlund
Kostin-Couture/Pageau-Dellandrea
Goodrow-Sturm-Kunin

I'd try and get the top two lines something like 55-60 percent OZ starts (caveat being we need enough OZ starts to make that happen) while pushing the bottom 6 full of more veteran/defensive guys toward most of the DZ starts. Think that would be a respectable forward group depending who that 2nd line winger spot goes to (could even make that Couture if you wanted to further insulate Smith - who I think needs it more than Macklin).

It’s not just zone starts that you have to be concerned with. Frankly, zone starts don’t actually mean that much.

It’s about matchups, and who opposing teams will match their best lines and d pairs with. Keeping Celebrini and especially Smith away from the Lunds means that opposing teams will most likely be most concerned with the Lund line and so put their matchup guys on that line. But they’re poor enough in possession that they’re still a juicy matchup for the other team.

 

[Jargon]

So who is taking the shutdown matchups in your lineup then?

Playing Smith with Granlund or Celebrini with Eklund is not the same as playing Hertl with Thornton or Eklund playing with Hertl in the past. Thornton and Hertl respectively were elite possession players who could handily win top matchups on their own and had defensemen who could also handle their matchups, effectively putting Hertl and Eklund respectively in good situations.

Granlund and Eklund got their pants handed to them last year. They lost possession matchups to a very bad degree and struggled to get meaningful offensive zone time, like every shift on the team. Putting Smith with one of them exposes him way too much and isn’t the same as easing in top prospects on top-6 lines in the past.

Smith should be sheltered to the highest degree possible and Celebrini to the next highest degree.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure any combination of lines will be able to handle shutdown matches. Our new stars are too young and our veterans aren’t quite good enough.

I want to make sure Smith is sheltered but also has guys who can think the game like him. Couture is obviously perfect for Smith, but I’m not sure a line of Smith - Dellandrea - Kostin is going to excel in any way.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Unfortunately, I’m not sure any combination of lines will be able to handle shutdown matches. Our new stars are too young and our veterans aren’t quite good enough.

I want to make sure Smith is sheltered but also has guys who can think the game like him. Couture is obviously perfect for Smith, but I’m not sure a line of Smith - Dellandrea - Kostin is going to excel in any way.

Right, no combo on this team is going to win matchup minutes. But the Lund line can shelter the other two lines from facing the cream of the rest of the league, and in my opinion that matters.

Kostin-Smith-Dellandrea is the third line I’m imagining right now personally. I don’t expect miracles from Smith by any means, just 20 even strength points over the season.

Realistically the thing that’s gonna matter most is the defense. Without significant improvements to the defense (ie healthy Benning, Mukh performing adequately, and two new top-4 D) we’re pretty much the same team as last year even with significant improvements up front.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Was browsing other teams forums and came across MTL trade proposal one:

"Wil Smith for Lane Hudson" is the first trade I see...

 

[weastern bias]

Was browsing other teams forums and came across MTL trade proposal one:

"Wil Smith for Lane Hudson" is the first trade I see...

The Montreal fans can't help themselves on that board

EDIT: misread and though you were talking about the trade boards but at least now we know where it comes from, lol

 

[Hodge]

If there's some sort of corresponding move to the Goodrow claim I wonder if it's a trade around Ferraro and Ryan Lindgren.

Maybe even just one for one. Rangers get some cost certainty and the Sharks get a better defenseman. Without picks or prospects involved it would also be hard for the PA or anyone else to make the case that the trade is related to the waiver claim.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1803835452937384051

The ladies like yesterday's moves. Think the Sharks will be an interesting team to watch.

NSFW language (not a ton, but enough to give warning).

 

[YUPPY 2 7 10 11]

Was browsing other teams forums and came across MTL trade proposal one:

"Wil Smith for Lane Hudson" is the first trade I see...

They meant this Enforcer Will Smith for Lane Hudson, not our Will Smith.

 

[jarr92]

While he doesn’t “hit” and he isn’t big, Eklund is an excellent forechecker; putting pressure on the D and creating turnovers.

Eklund also seems most comfortable setting up plays from behind the net as well. I’m interested to see if he’s lined up at Center at all again next year.

 

[LadyStanley]

Check out this Podcast: NHL Off-Season Picks Up as the Stanley Cup Final Intensifies NHL Off-Season Picks Up as the Stanley Cup Final Intensifies

About 31 min in talk about building team around Celebrini.

 

[OrrNumber4]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1803835452937384051

The ladies like yesterday's moves. Think the Sharks will be an interesting team to watch.

NSFW language (not a ton, but enough to give warning).

Solid analysis...don't like how they spent like fifteen hours talking about Columbus and Carolina but one second on the Sharks. Big-market/Canada bias is understandable, but that doesn't apply here..

 

[LadyStanley]

Solid analysis...don't like how they spent like fifteen hours talking about Columbus and Carolina but one second on the Sharks. Big-market/Canada bias is understandable, but that doesn't apply here..

Considering how they avoided talking about Sharks at all on podcast this past year, such a positive reaction is revelation.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1803877696939921675

 

[Hodge]

If we trade Ferraro for Lindgren and sign a RH puck mover like Sean Walker (longshot) or Alex Carrier I think our defense is set for next season.

Lindgren-Carrier
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Rutta
Emberson, Burroughs, Shak

 

[Gecklund]

If there's some sort of corresponding move to the Goodrow claim I wonder if it's a trade around Ferraro and Ryan Lindgren.

Maybe even just one for one. Rangers get some cost certainty and the Sharks get a better defenseman. Without picks or prospects involved it would also be hard for the PA or anyone else to make the case that the trade is related to the waiver claim.

Lindgren is f***ing terrible. Carried by Fox I’d keep Ferraro

 

[STL Shark]

If we trade Ferraro for Lindgren and sign a RH puck mover like Sean Walker (longshot) or Alex Carrier I think our defense is set for next season.

Lindgren-Carrier
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Rutta
Emberson, Burroughs, Shak

Top pairing will be UFA/Trade guys most likely on both sides if Ferraro is traded. I also don't know what Walker's market will be with most of the contenders probably wanting more size for that sort of money. Think if we offer up 3 years $5.5M AAV that there's a good chance he's ours (AFP has him at 3 years $4.6M AAV).

Vlasic will be a scratch with Thrun probably playing with Benning and Muk playing with Emberson (some combination of those 4 comprise the bottom 2 pairs). Rutta probably gets dealt (think Utah for a 6th as they have an entire defense to build).

 

[BaileyMacTavish]

Eklund also seems most comfortable setting up plays from behind the net as well. I’m interested to see if he’s lined up at Center at all again next year.

If one of Smith or Celebrini struggle maybe? I just think he kills it as a winger

If we trade Ferraro for Lindgren and sign a RH puck mover like Sean Walker (longshot) or Alex Carrier I think our defense is set for next season.

Lindgren-Carrier
Vlasic-Benning
Thrun-Rutta
Emberson, Burroughs, Shak

I would love Carrier to come on over. We can promise him top pair minutes, but Preds have plenty of cap space to keep him. 26M

 

[Lebanezer]

 

[spintops]

Speaking of free agents - What is Anthony Duclair going to get? He openly spoke about liking his time and being willing to come back. Not a bad scoring option for one of the kids to play with if they have a F1 on the other wing.