Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Le Grand Quebecois]

Obviously, I’ve stepped on toes here.
I’m not saying Givani needs to be here, just that I get it. This game is what it is. Many value the possibility of a guy who will fight. I didn’t make the rule.

Most fans of the Sharks first season will say their favorite player was Link. He didn’t deserve to be in the league but that doesn’t change what many think.

The most talented player on the ice for SJ back then was talented at face punching. Nobody was good at hockey.

That’s beyond my purview. I can rant and rave to what cause? Grier and Wars aren’t calling me for my opinion.
I’ve not said that Danil doesn’t deserve a shot up here. I’ve watched this game long enough to know and to say that waivers and such are more important than what you or I have to say about it.
Would I be surprised to see Goose sent down in favor of Givani? Not at all. I’d think it’s a wrong choice but I’m not going to spout about rioting over it.

You're correct that the most likely path the Sharks will take is the one that doesn't risk losing a player. Right or wrong.

 

[Alaskanice]

The most talented player on the ice for SJ back then was talented at face punching. Nobody was good at hockey.

Doug Wilson was. Kelly Kisio was. Pat Falloon was good for a season. David Bruce had a season. John Garpenlov was.

 

[Anomie2029]

Gushchin has earned his NHL spot - sending him to the AHL flies in the face of all talk made before and during preseason about earning spots.

In a game that had 'NHLers' Wennberg, Kostin, Goodrow, Kunin, Smith and Sturm - it was Gushchin that took the lead and drove play.

The club will not improve if they're going to prioritize bad NHLers over young players who outplayed them.

 

[Alaskanice]

Gushchin has earned his NHL spot - sending him to the AHL flies in the face of all talk made before and during preseason about earning spots.

In a game that had 'NHLers' Wennberg, Kostin, Goodrow, Kunin, Smith and Sturm - it was Gushchin that took the lead and drove play.

The club will not improve if they're going to prioritize bad NHLers over young players who outplayed them.

Kostin took a pass and scored. Kunin caused turnovers and fought in front of the net to deflect for 2 goals. Sturm pulled up and made a pass that led to the winning goal. The others did quite a bit that doesn’t show up on the scorers card or the highlights but they’re crucial as well.
This game needs those “bad” players. They do the banging, fighting for the boards, pressuring the front of the net. Again, they are crucial.

 

[Hodge]

Gushchin has earned his NHL spot - sending him to the AHL flies in the face of all talk made before and during preseason about earning spots.

In a game that had 'NHLers' Wennberg, Kostin, Goodrow, Kunin, Smith and Sturm - it was Gushchin that took the lead and drove play.

The club will not improve if they're going to prioritize bad NHLers over young players who outplayed them.

You mean to tell me a guy fighting for a roster spot performed better in a meaningless exhibition game than the established NHLers on both teams whose main priority was trying not to get injured? Time to induct Gushchin into the HHOF.

 

[coooldude]

It's highly possible that Granlund or some other top 9 isn't ready on Thursday and Goose gets his start and everyone can calm down.

 

[Jargon]

Someone has to be injured, I Believe in Gushchin. Specifically, I think Warsofsky will play guys who earned it.

You mean to tell me a guy fighting for a roster spot performed better in a meaningless exhibition game than the established NHLers on both teams whose main priority was trying not to get injured? Time to induct Gushchin into the HHOF.

This is exactly what we’re saying, yes.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

You mean to tell me a guy fighting for a roster spot performed better in a meaningless exhibition game than the established NHLers on both teams whose main priority was trying not to get injured? Time to induct Gushchin into the HHOF.

This is a really silly response.

 

[Hodge]

This is a really silly response.

What's really silly is acting like preseason games with unbalanced rosters and wildly varying levels of effort among NHL veterans should be used to determine roster spots, as if all of these guys don't have extensive track records in hockey prior to September 2024.

If Gushchin has "earned" anything it's the right to be the first call-up in case of a top six injury which he was probably always going to be anyway. He's not suddenly a better player than Barclay Goodrow or Luke Kunin because he assisted on some goals in preseason.

 

[TheBeard]

What's really silly is acting like preseason games with unbalanced rosters and wildly varying levels of effort among NHL veterans should be used to determine roster spots, as if all of these guys don't have extensive track records in hockey prior to September 2024.

If Gushchin has "earned" anything it's the right to be the first call-up in case of a top six injury which he was probably always going to be anyway. He's not suddenly a better player than Barclay Goodrow or Luke Kunin because he assisted on some goals in preseason.

At this rate, with his year last year and his preseason this year, he's 100% earned the right to start on the big club over other older higher-paid vets, but doesn't mean his leash isn't short.

 

[OrrNumber4]

He's not suddenly a better player than Barclay Goodrow or Luke Kunin because he assisted on some goals in preseason.

100% he's not suddenly a better player...he's been for a long time, and he's been making that undisputable.

 

[Hodge]

100% he's not suddenly a better player...he's been for a long time, and he's been making that undisputable.

Better at scoring goals? Maybe. Better at any other aspect of the sport? No. A better fit for 14 minutes of 3rd line + PK ice time than Goodrow or Kunin? Absolutely not.

Gushchin probably should have been playing over the likes of Hoffman and Barabanov last season but now that we have legit bottom six forwards who have played that role on winning NHL teams there's no room for him in a relatively healthy Sharks lineup.

 

[weastern bias]

Weren't rosters supposed to be finalized by 2:00 today? Have we gotten any official word from the Sharks on the last cuts?

 

[Lebanezer]

Weren't rosters supposed to be finalized by 2:00 today? Have we gotten any official word from the Sharks on the last cuts?

Tomorrow.

 

[Mattb124]

It's highly possible that Granlund or some other top 9 isn't ready on Thursday and Goose gets his start and everyone can calm down.

Injured, yes. Calm down, no.

 

[Jargon]

What's really silly is acting like preseason games with unbalanced rosters and wildly varying levels of effort among NHL veterans should be used to determine roster spots, as if all of these guys don't have extensive track records in hockey prior to September 2024.

If Gushchin has "earned" anything it's the right to be the first call-up in case of a top six injury which he was probably always going to be anyway. He's not suddenly a better player than Barclay Goodrow or Luke Kunin because he assisted on some goals in preseason.

The thing is, it’s not just preseason and his goals weren’t like some casual random pass that they put in.

He’s done everything that’s been asked of him, was an AHL All-Star, came in stronger, faster and has played tenaciously and aggressively in all 3 zones. He willed the win yesterday and if Warsofsky is running practices so hard that guys are getting hurt trying to win mini-games because “competition”, Gushchin did that against Vegas over anyone else on the team.

Again, if your message is “work your ass off and you’ll make the team,” sending the guy that’s been the most competitive, etc etc in the preseason sends a really bad message. I’m not saying he needs to play the entire season, but I think he needs a few games in the NHL as a reward for doing *exactly* what he’s been asked to do for multiple seasons, and getting consistently better in each.

I’m fairly positive someone is hurt though. I’m hopeful he plays the first game.

 

[Erep]

Also, I am pretty sure, "Opening Day Playing Roster" doesn't mean who is actually playing on opening night, and the Sharks can make transactions after because they don't actually have a game on Tuesday...

 

[sampler]

If Gush is sent down, after being Point per game, baraccuda leading scorer, putting up a couple points in his cup of coffee last year, and then being arguably the best sharks player on the ice in the preseason... I would say, there is little more he can do to prove himself.

I also think his style of game, which is high energy, high tempo, wicked shot, quick attack, and speed game is the kind of the game the sharks DESPRATELY need.

On the GWG, most every player on the sharks, other than maybe celly, granlund, and few other top ones , would have dumped that puck deep. The sharks are a team full of deliberate, slow, and easy to predict players. Thats why they have no breakout and no forecheck. Gush plays a completely different game in which its all about quick attack, quick pucks toward the net, puck possession and making plays. He's like a smaller, lesser celebrini. Always moving, great motor, great effort.

The sharks need playmakers who can more than just dump and chase and flip pucks out. We need guys who can carry the puck, hold on the puck, attack the net, outwork... Gush can do all that.

I would also add that if the sharks are a meritocracy, which they need to be to build any kind of hard working legit culture, then Gush>Smith (Either smith). You gotta put ice the best lineup, most NHL ready lineup. Will has definitely not proven to be NHL level. Neither has Graf. Cardwell is getting closer, but not there yet.

 

[fasterthanlight]

I'm asking for a trade if Gushchin doesn't make the opening night roster.

 

[Star Platinum]

I'm asking for a trade if Gushchin doesn't make the opening night roster.

What team would you like to be traded to?

 

[Pinkfloyd]

What's really silly is acting like preseason games with unbalanced rosters and wildly varying levels of effort among NHL veterans should be used to determine roster spots, as if all of these guys don't have extensive track records in hockey prior to September 2024.

If Gushchin has "earned" anything it's the right to be the first call-up in case of a top six injury which he was probably always going to be anyway. He's not suddenly a better player than Barclay Goodrow or Luke Kunin because he assisted on some goals in preseason.

No there are many other reasons he’s better than them but none of it matters if coaches and management doesn’t see it. It will be indicative of a bigger problem but preseason is absolutely used to some degree for depth roles and Gushchin should be on the 3rd line if not the top six next to Celebrini because he’s played the best.

 

[fasterthanlight]

What team would you like to be traded to?

The Barracuda

 

[tiburon12]

No there are many other reasons he’s better than them but none of it matters if coaches and management doesn’t see it. It will be indicative of a bigger problem but preseason is absolutely used to some degree for depth roles and Gushchin should be on the 3rd line if not the top six next to Celebrini because he’s played the best.

Well according to @Hodge, roster decisions are made when contracts are given out, so the entirety of the preseason is a waste of time and is meaningless w/r/t evaluation. In fact it's foolish to even consider evaluating a player in the preseason because rosters aren't balanced, as, according to him, preseason is about gauging ticket sales. Gushchin could have had 5G + 5A each game but it's irrelevant because Grier gave a contract to Grundstrum in July.

Bulletproof logic if you ask me.

 

[DG93]

Well according to @Hodge, roster decisions are made when contracts are given out, so the entirety of the preseason is a waste of time and is meaningless w/r/t evaluation. In fact it's foolish to even consider evaluating a player in the preseason because rosters aren't balanced, as, according to him, preseason is about gauging ticket sales. Gushchin could have had 5G + 5A each game but it's irrelevant because Grier gave a contract to Grundstrum in July.

Bulletproof logic if you ask me.

While the trolling is entertaining, I have a hard time seeing Grundstrom getting waived given that Grier targeted him as the return for Burroughs (yes, I know he sucks ass) and then gave him a 2yr deal for almost 2M/year. I doubt G. Smith is going anywhere either despite him being a waste of a roster spot. I think if anyone goes for Gushchin, it'll be Kostin (or Granlund starts the year on IR).

 

[tiburon12]

While the trolling is entertaining, I have a hard time seeing Grundstrom getting waived given that Grier targeted him as the return for Burroughs (yes, I know he sucks ass) and then gave him a 2yr deal for almost 2M/year. I doubt G. Smith is going anywhere either despite him being a waste of a roster spot. I think if anyone goes for Gushchin, it'll be Kostin (or Granlund starts the year on IR).

haha hardly trolling, just repeating what they said. Although reading it again they didn't say "gauge" season ticket holders, it was "gouge" them. So preseason games actually exist to harm fans. Glad i cleared that up!

(agree about Grundstrum though, he was just a random name i threw in lol)