Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Hodge]

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.

Whether you agree with the logic behind it or not doesn't change the fact that 99% of roster decisions in a hard cap league are made in the summer when contracts are doled out.

If you don't believe me go look through the list of players on waivers today. How many NHL veterans on one-way contracts are being cut in favor of waiver-exempt prospects?

 

[Hodge]

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)

What would you call STHs being forced to pay regular season ticket prices for a substandard product other than gouging them?

 

[tiburon12]

Whether you agree with the logic behind it or not doesn't change the fact that 99% of roster decisions in a hard cap league are made in the summer when contracts are doled out.

If you don't believe me go look through the list of players on waivers today. How many NHL veterans on one-way contracts are being cut in favor of waiver-exempt prospects?

Well before it was 100%, now it's 99%. Glad to have that 1% be a Sharks prospect who has done everything asked of him over the course of a few seasons.

And to answer your question, Pierre Engvall is on waivers and Maxim Tsyplakov is on the roster.

 

[Star Platinum]

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.

Well, let's face it. Contract status is the #1 factor when it comes to roster decisions, if for no other reason than that GM's really don't like to admit that they gave out a contract to a guy who isn't good enough. It makes them look stupid if it happens too often. That plus if a GM trades something of value for someone or signs a guy in free agency, he's naturally going to have faith in that player regardless of his preseason performance. Otherwise, he never would have signed the guy to begin with. So you can pretty much take to the bank that guys like Walman, Ceci, Goodrow, Kunin, and Dellandrea are locks to be on the roster. I don't think I even need to mention Wennberg and Toffoli. A guy like Grundstrom, who was acquired in a deal for a player we might have waived ourselves might have been in a little more danger, but not after Grier made a two year commitment to him.

But if you're going to let contract status be the #1 thing, make sure your organization isn't preaching about having competition in camp and guys winning roles and then not back it up if someone clearly outplays someone else. It sends a bad message to the young guys who you're trying to tell that they need to be better on defense and without the puck on offense and then they see that guys that aren't as good get roster spots over guys that did put in the work and produced.

 

[Pavelski2112]

Pure NHL time doesn't mean shit. Michael Haley played 274 NHL games.

 

[sampler]

No one is saying the grundstrom or dyllandrea doesnt make the team. 11 or 12 spots are 100% fixed:

toffoli, celebrini, Lunds (3), dyllan, goodie, grundstrom, kostin, kunin, wennberg, Sturm.... thats 12 spots. the other two spots are the ones up for grabs. Will Smith, Gushkin, G Smith, and Cardwell are fighting for those spots.

Personally, Id rather see Gush fill a top 6 role (as I mentioned earlier), Will smith beginning with the cuda, Cardwell with Cuda too (he and smith can form a top line). Gush and G smith can make the team, but G smith can be a nightly scratch

 

[Erep]

No one is saying the grundstrom or dyllandrea doesnt make the team. 11 or 12 spots are 100% fixed:

toffoli, celebrini, Lunds (3), dyllan, goodie, grundstrom, kostin, kunin, wennberg, Sturm.... thats 12 spots. the other two spots are the ones up for grabs. Will Smith, Gushkin, G Smith, and Cardwell are fighting for those spots.

Personally, Id rather see Gush fill a top 6 role (as I mentioned earlier), Will smith beginning with the cuda, Cardwell with Cuda too (he and smith can form a top line). Gush and G smith can make the team, but G smith can be a nightly scratch

Dellandrea should absolutely be in the mix to get cut. He doesn't bring anything, but that is a different matter, and I haven't brought it up because, yeah he will be there for a while and I expect he will fade out even further by mid season.

That said W. Smith is on the team.
Here is the quote from Warsofsky:

"Both those guys [Thompson and Cagnoni] are in. Cardwell’s in. Gushchin’s back in. Kostin is in. All those guys that are fighting for not just spots here, but to play important [parts] on our team are playing tonight, I’d say."

Will Smith was not playing, so he is in. Seems pretty clear.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843150185779822748

Paywall

They have 48 active contracts per PuckPedia. So do have space to claim someone.

 

[TheBeard]

Guys like Dellandra and Gunner were brought in to force roster bubble kids like Gush to have to earn their spot. Simple as that. They were challenged, some rose to the occasion and others did not.

 

[Gecklund]

Some of you need to figure out how to look at context. The sky isn’t always falling! Yes sharks need to be roster compliant today but their first game isn’t until Thursday.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Some of you need to figure out how to look at context. The sky isn’t always falling! Yes sharks need to be roster compliant today but their first game isn’t until Thursday.

This is so true. It would benefit them to wait till Wednesday to put a guy like Kostin or G Smith on waivers after other teams have finalized their rosters. I’m sure we will hear news today that Gushchin and others are assigned to the Cuda camp but that still doesn’t prevent them from waiving players Wednesday or calling up injury replacements.

 

[Hodge]

I don't think the league is ready for how good Macklin is going to be right off the bat. Whether it's due to Bedard fatigue or Team Canada underperforming at the WJC or whatever else, I feel like he's been one of the least hyped 1OAs in recent memory. Fans and media are not prepared for how NHL ready his game is, the fact he does some Jack Hughes-lite stuff carrying the puck and the way his one-timer from the right flank is going to make him one of the most lethal power play threats in the league immediately. Not to mention the kind of legit defensive IQ that's unheard of for an 18 year old rookie.

 

[Timo Time]

I don't think the league is ready for how good Macklin is going to be right off the bat. Whether it's due to Bedard fatigue or Team Canada underperforming at the WJC or whatever else, I feel like he's been one of the least hyped 1OAs in recent memory. Fans and media are not prepared for how NHL ready his game is, the fact he does some Jack Hughes-lite stuff carrying the puck and the way his one-timer from the right flank is going to make him one of the most lethal power play threats in the league immediately. Not to mention the kind of legit defensive IQ that's unheard of for an 18 year old rookie.

I agree with this sentiment. His two-way presence seems to be undervalued outside of this fan base.

I can also see Macklin starting out well when the season kicks off, but I think Smith will near him as the season progresses. Smith definitely takes a little longer to feel a game out but man, once he's on; he can not only raise his game to another level but the floor of his linemates.

This team is obviously still top-3 pick bound but losing games 7-5 will be much more exciting.

 

[OrrNumber4]

I don't think the league is ready for how good Macklin is going to be right off the bat. Whether it's due to Bedard fatigue or Team Canada underperforming at the WJC or whatever else, I feel like he's been one of the least hyped 1OAs in recent memory. Fans and media are not prepared for how NHL ready his game is, the fact he does some Jack Hughes-lite stuff carrying the puck and the way his one-timer from the right flank is going to make him one of the most lethal power play threats in the league immediately. Not to mention the kind of legit defensive IQ that's unheard of for an 18 year old rookie.

This is like that scene in the Matt Daemon movie with the Wehrmacht soldier keeps on saying "f*** Hitler".

That is to say, we haven't forgotten your disparagement towards Gushchin!

 

[Hodge]

This is like that scene in the Matt Daemon movie with the Wehrmacht soldier keeps on saying "f*** Hitler".

That is to say, we haven't forgotten your disparagement towards Gushchin!

What disparagement? I said he should be on the opening night roster ahead of Kostin. I just don't think it matters very much either way.

We've got Mack and Will now, not to mention Askarov. Time to stop caring so much about lower rung prospects.

 

[TheBeard]

I don't think the league is ready for how good Macklin is going to be right off the bat. Whether it's due to Bedard fatigue or Team Canada underperforming at the WJC or whatever else, I feel like he's been one of the least hyped 1OAs in recent memory. Fans and media are not prepared for how NHL ready his game is, the fact he does some Jack Hughes-lite stuff carrying the puck and the way his one-timer from the right flank is going to make him one of the most lethal power play threats in the league immediately. Not to mention the kind of legit defensive IQ that's unheard of for an 18 year old rookie.

It's 100% Bedard fatigue. There's still a honeymoon love affair with him going into season 2. NHL Radio spends a lot of time talking about what he's going to do for an encore (with some predicting 40/60/100)

 

[Timo Time]

Sounds like Mack was first on the ice for practice this morning. f*** yeah

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Sounds like Mack was first on the ice for practice this morning. f*** yeah

Easy to be first when you have your parents helping you get your gear on still

 

[weastern bias]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843366715226562821

 

[coooldude]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843366715226562821

Second PP basically as dangerous as last year's first, esp. after the trade deadline .

Eklund on PP2 is a minor surprise but I guess Celebrini takes his spot on the right half wall, Zetterlund and Toffoli are better net front/down low on either side, and Granlund is better on the left side. Smith to Gush or Ek on PP2 should be pretty interesting.

 

[TheBeard]

Second PP basically as dangerous as last year's first, esp. after the trade deadline .

Eklund on PP2 is a minor surprise but I guess Celebrini takes his spot on the right half wall, Zetterlund and Toffoli are better net front/down low on either side, and Granlund is better on the left side. Smith to Gush or Ek on PP2 should be pretty interesting.

I wonder if Shakir gets time on that PP2 when he's healthy? He looked pretty controlled in the limited time he spent on the point on the PP last year.

 

[Hodge]

I wonder if Shakir gets time on that PP2 when he's healthy? He looked pretty controlled in the limited time he spent on the point on the PP last year.

He should be on PP1 when he’s healthy tbh.

 

[coooldude]

I wonder if Shakir gets time on that PP2 when he's healthy? He looked pretty controlled in the limited time he spent on the point on the PP last year.

For sure, but I think he'll have to beat out Thrun, who looks to have taken a step forward in the offseason and was at one point I think our PP1 QB last year in March/April (yikes!)

He should be on PP1 when he’s healthy tbh.

I think that depends on what his purpose is. Celebrini is clearly running PP1 from the top of the right circle, Walman is a triggerman, Zetts and Toffoli are net front and low for scoring /shooting opportunities, Granlund on the other wing. Is Shakir taking out Walman, and if so does he have the shot for it?

 

[Star Platinum]

This is so true. It would benefit them to wait till Wednesday to put a guy like Kostin or G Smith on waivers after other teams have finalized their rosters. I’m sure we will hear news today that Gushchin and others are assigned to the Cuda camp but that still doesn’t prevent them from waiving players Wednesday or calling up injury replacements.

But what if I want them to be claimed?

 

[TheBeard]

He should be on PP1 when he’s healthy tbh.

I wouldn’t hate that either.

For sure, but I think he'll have to beat out Thrun, who looks to have taken a step forward in the offseason and was at one point I think our PP1 QB last year in March/April (yikes!)


I think that depends on what his purpose is. Celebrini is clearly running PP1 from the top of the right circle, Walman is a triggerman, Zetts and Toffoli are net front and low for scoring /shooting opportunities, Granlund on the other wing. Is Shakir taking out Walman, and if so does he have the shot for it?

Shakir has a fantastic shot.