Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

hotcabbagesoup

"I'm going to get what I deserve" -RutgerMcgroarty
Feb 18, 2009
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We just don't have enough top 6 caliber players to slot in next to him. Maybe Smith but he isn't there yet. Hopefully he will be... eventually... so we can stop having the Brad Winchester-esque grinder on the top line
Brad Winchester...that name rings a bell but I can't recall anything from it. Now #1D Brad Lukowich that guy I remember vividly lol
 

TheBeard

He fixes the cable?
Jul 12, 2019
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I like that 3rd line for Smith. Goodrow on the top line after finally doing something productive since game 1 is ridiculous.
I don't see it as a reward so much as War is trying to find someone... ANYONE who can play wing with Mac and TT without completely depleting the offense throughout the rest of the lineup. He's looking for his Chris Kunitz.
 

Pinkfloyd

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Oct 29, 2006
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I don't see it as a reward so much as War is trying to find someone... ANYONE who can play wing with Mac and TT without completely depleting the offense throughout the rest of the lineup. He's looking for his Chris Kunitz.
I would've tried Grundstrom long before I tried Goodrow but I get that they're trying to find someone that clicks.
 

TheBeard

He fixes the cable?
Jul 12, 2019
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I would've tried Grundstrom long before I tried Goodrow but I get that they're trying to find someone that clicks.
I'm sure Carl will get a shot at some point unless they find someone with at least decent chemistry. My worry with Celebrini this year is he plays a rather reckless style coming across the middle of the ice. Even though he keeps his head up he's still very fearless. At worst Goody will come to his defense.
 

Pinkfloyd

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Oct 29, 2006
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Why keep the Lund line intact? Give Celebrini and Eklund some games together.
The logic is that it's the only way to have two lines capable of pushing play. I'd probably put Zetterlund on Celebrini's wing before Eklund but I'm pretty confident that there will come a time where Eklund is on Celebrini's wing. There's still 65 games to go.
 

timorous me

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Apr 14, 2010
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The logic is that it's the only way to have two lines capable of pushing play. I'd probably put Zetterlund on Celebrini's wing before Eklund but I'm pretty confident that there will come a time where Eklund is on Celebrini's wing. There's still 65 games to go.
It feels like it took forever last year before Quinn finally relented and put the Lund line together in the first place. On that level, I feel bad--I want to see them together more now!--but it really does create some awkward situations for both the Celebrini and Smith lines.

I don't know if Gushchin will get another chance anytime soon, but he was at least doing okay in his top-six stint and I'd rather have him there than Goodrow or Dellandrea. Maybe Graf will get the call soon. He's no savior but maybe he can take some of his 'Cuda confidence and find a way to be a good contributor on the wing on one of the top three lines.
 

Pinkfloyd

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It feels like it took forever last year before Quinn finally relented and put the Lund line together in the first place. On that level, I feel bad--I want to see them together more now!--but it really does create some awkward situations for both the Celebrini and Smith lines.

I don't know if Gushchin will get another chance anytime soon, but he was at least doing okay in his top-six stint and I'd rather have him there than Goodrow or Dellandrea. Maybe Graf will get the call soon. He's no savior but maybe he can take some of his 'Cuda confidence and find a way to be a good contributor on the wing on one of the top three lines.
I would like either Gushchin or Graf but until the team either gets an injury up front or they finally cut Kostin, they're running with what they have unfortunately.
 
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sampler

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Aug 3, 2018
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Personally, I like the lines going into the NYR game.

1. The lund line was very very good last year and getting better and better as the year went on. Granny is a great distributor (though this year hes burying too), Zetterlund can finish and play physical, and eklund does both. I think they compliment each other very well. I expect this is really line One.

2. Celly and toffoli need a winger of course. I echo the sentiments that I d rather have graf, cardwell, or Gush there, but in the absence of those guys Goodrow is fine. He works hard, gets in on the forecheck and goes the net. It's not a top choice for me, but Im not sure there are alot of other good options.

3. I like smith with Wennberg and Dyll. Wennberg especially is supposed to be a good FO and Defensive presence, and they need that to protect Smith from his own poor defensive play. Dyll has been disappointing thus far, but its good to give him a real shot to make things happen.

I like the combos given the shallowness of personnel that they are dealing with. I bet they have a solid game especially if Walman can slot back in.
 

Lebanezer

I'unno? Coast Guard?
Jul 24, 2006
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I would like either Gushchin or Graf but until the team either gets an injury up front or they finally cut Kostin, they're running with what they have unfortunately.
Think about how far down the depth chart Kostin is. He's literally below Givani Smith and any call ups. I assume they don't want to waive him because they don't want him to take up a roster spot on the Cuda. I don't think anyone would claim him. The only way to get rid of him is probably with mutual termination, and I don't see any reason for Kostin to forfeit that money.
 
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Hodge

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Apr 27, 2021
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Think about how far down the depth chart Kostin is. He's literally below Givani Smith and any call ups. I assume they don't want to waive him because they don't want him to take up a roster spot on the Cuda. I don't think anyone would claim him. The only way to get rid of him is probably with mutual termination, and I don't see any reason for Kostin to forfeit that money.
Nothing wrong with healthy scratching Kostin on the Cuda, or having him play alternating games with another vet like Bailey who has struggled.
 

Hobocop

ungainly and rambling
Jul 18, 2012
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Think about how far down the depth chart Kostin is. He's literally below Givani Smith and any call ups. I assume they don't want to waive him because they don't want him to take up a roster spot on the Cuda. I don't think anyone would claim him. The only way to get rid of him is probably with mutual termination, and I don't see any reason for Kostin to forfeit that money.

I've been wondering what would happen if we sent Kostin down. We're already at our veteran limit for the Barracuda (although Lucas Carlsson hasn't appeared in a game yet) so Kostin arriving would cause us to have to sit either him or one of the veterans in our lineup. And they probably don't want to send him down and then not have him playing in the AHL, either. So if we sent him down, I'd guess either Justin Bailey comes up, or they alternate between the two of them. Bailey's been hit and miss so far. But I'm really not sure Kostin would be any better.

Relatedly, I was looking over the roster the other day and I believe the only waiver-eligible forward that doesn't count as a veteran in the AHL is Ty Dellandrea.

I keep throwing around the "veteran" label as far as AHL eligibility goes in my posts, so for anyone not familiar, the AHL only allows you to dress six players who have played in 261 or more professional games, excluding the ECHL. More specifically, it's five veterans, and you can then add one "veteran exempt" player who has appeared in between 261 and 320 games (Jimmy Schuldt qualifies for this). But this eligibility is determined at the beginning of the season. I've seen some pushback on this rule lately, as something it's doing is forcing players overseas.
 

Pinkfloyd

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Oct 29, 2006
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Think about how far down the depth chart Kostin is. He's literally below Givani Smith and any call ups. I assume they don't want to waive him because they don't want him to take up a roster spot on the Cuda. I don't think anyone would claim him. The only way to get rid of him is probably with mutual termination, and I don't see any reason for Kostin to forfeit that money.
I don't think they want to waive him because they don't want the roster spot occupied by anyone on the Barracuda unless they're certain that player is getting into the lineup. I think they need to be finished with someone like Grundstrom or Dellandrea or move an expiring contract before they make that move. They don't have to assign Kostin to the Barracuda assuming he passes through waivers. They can assign him to another team like they did with Ozzy for a bit last year.
 

Star Platinum

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May 11, 2024
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We just don't have enough top 6 caliber players to slot in next to him. Maybe Smith but he isn't there yet. Hopefully he will be... eventually... so we can stop having the Brad Winchester-esque grinder on the top line
I would hope that Grier is calling around the league seeing if someone would be willing to trade a skilled winger for a future pick. Obviously nobody's giving up someone that's a really high-end player, but someone that fits in better on a top line because this carousel of fourth-liners paired with Celebrini is pure idiocy.
 

Hodge

Registered User
Apr 27, 2021
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I can't wait for the mountain of articles and posts questioning whether Celebrini needs to be in the AHL because he isn't productive enough ignoring the fact that Warsofsky seems intent on ensuring he has one linemate who is allergic to puck possession.
Goodrow has the 4th best possession metrics among Sharks forwards despite having the most defensive zone starts.
 

BillR10

Registered User
Nov 16, 2008
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I just think this is War giving Goody a chance to stick it to the Rangers. He's gonna have the most motivation of anyone in this game. Hopefully he surprises everyone and becomes that Nils Ekman compliment on line 1
 

Pinkfloyd

Registered User
Oct 29, 2006
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Goodrow has the 4th best possession metrics among Sharks forwards despite having the most defensive zone starts.
It's just too bad he rarely does anything with it.

I don't think Celebrini's line needs someone to get possession for them but he can help the defensive side of things to get pucks for them. The issue is that they're pretty much hanging Smith out to dry without Goodrow at this stage. Those two were at least competitive together. Kunin dragged them down hard.
 
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Hodge

Registered User
Apr 27, 2021
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If I am to accept the undeniable truth of "unadjusted CF%" as a serious proxy metric for possession in the year of our lord 2024, then you must tell me where Luke Kunin ranks on that list.
Is there a better metric? Goodrow is 3rd if you adjust for score and venue.

And how is Kunin relevant? He's never shared the ice with Celebrini let alone been his linemate.
 

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