Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Grinner]

Been reading about Ostapchuk a bit. Mostly chatter about him before this year but a lot of fans seemed quite high on him specifically as well-skating defensive forward with good hands. It seems like the scoring touch has yet to develop (power forwards take longer though) but that he’s really aware defensively and is hard to play against.

Again, I would have rather given up a pick or even like a lower level prospect if they like him so much but I guess, if Grier is to believed, Ottawa liked him a lot too?

As someone said, Grier wants to build from center out and has been trying to draft a 3C for a while. This is another shot at it and if he’s right, he’ll be very useful. I just don’t know if he’s right and I hate giving up a legit piece of the future to try.

Anyway, I can’t control the trade so at this point just praying he’s awesome and that Will and Macklin welcome Eklund into the friendship.

What does that say about Bystedt?

 

[MackAttack71]

What does that say about Bystedt?

That was my thought as well.

 

[Jargon]

What does that say about Bystedt?

That the bloom is off the rose and they’ll either trade him or move him to wing? Or he’s the 4C of the future? I’m not sure but I’m not sure they’re thrilled with him this year.

 

[timorous me]

That the bloom is off the rose and they’ll either trade him or move him to wing? Or he’s the 4C of the future? I’m not sure but I’m not sure they’re thrilled with him this year.

I'd like to defer to someone who's been watching more of the 'Cuda this year for their expertise, but I think it's safe to say Bystedt is much softer than Ostapchuk, despite also having good size. No guarantees either makes it as an impactful 3C, but I guess this way you're giving yourself twice as many chances to hit on someone there.

I also wonder if it might be that Grier sees a world in which they co-exist as members of the third line and as a penalty killing duo. (A bigger, more physical guy like Ostapchuk could help offset the less physical qualities of Bystedt while allowing him to still play a part.) Add in someone from a somewhat different mold, like Graf, and maybe you've got something interesting brewing.

Still not sure that's worth Zetterlund and a middle second round pick, but I guess I can see what Grier is envisioning.

 

[Lebanezer]

I just watched Grier's press conference, and surprisingly none of the beat writers tweeted that he said they intend to bring Havelid over for the Barracuda playoffs.

 

[Star Platinum]

Been reading about Ostapchuk a bit. Mostly chatter about him before this year but a lot of fans seemed quite high on him specifically as well-skating defensive forward with good hands. It seems like the scoring touch has yet to develop (power forwards take longer though) but that he’s really aware defensively and is hard to play against.

Again, I would have rather given up a pick or even like a lower level prospect if they like him so much but I guess, if Grier is to believed, Ottawa liked him a lot too?

As someone said, Grier wants to build from center out and has been trying to draft a 3C for a while. This is another shot at it and if he’s right, he’ll be very useful. I just don’t know if he’s right and I hate giving up a legit piece of the future to try.

Anyway, I can’t control the trade so at this point just praying he’s awesome and that Will and Macklin welcome Eklund into the friendship.

I hope there's some level of scoring to be developed at the NHL level for him because he's been a complete zero offensively for Ottawa. But at least he seems to be a hard worker. Hope it works out for us. Feels more like a 4C to me though.

 

[Jargon]

I hope there's some level of scoring to be developed at the NHL level for him because he's been a complete zero offensively for Ottawa. But at least he seems to be a hard worker. Hope it works out for us. Feels more like a 4C to me though.

I agree, but Grier mentioned him as a future 3C I believe, so that must be what they see. And again, if they really nail it and he’s like a high-end shut down 3rd line center, then yeah, it’s worth Zetterlund. It’s just, again, it feels like a huge risk for a guy that hasn’t necessarily shown that (at least in the scoring department). He’s young though and power forwards take longer to develop it’s just… I really feel like it could’ve been done with another player/asset and not Zetts.

I am happy that Grier said it’s time to build now… so okay, dude. Show us what you got this summer. I think that’s ultimately when I will judge this trade deadline, by the end of summer. How did he use these picks? What does the team look like? etc.

 

[OrrNumber4]

There's much work that needs doing. The Sharks have four top-6 forwards and six top-9 forwards. They have one prospect I'd be comfortable pencilling into the top-9.

They have one #4 defenseman, and a prospect I'd be comfortable pencilling into the second pairing.

If the intent is to no longer be a selling team, they'll need at least one more top-9 forward, a #1 defenseman, and another top-4 defenseman. Tall task, especially if the team is on a budget.

 

[Patty Ice]

What does that say about Bystedt?

Not much. Both are versatile to kick out to wing and last I checked 3 guys make up a line.

Ostapchuk-Bystedt-Graf has the make up of a strong 3rd line.

 

[sharks_dynasty]

I think his mistake is that they had set values for their guys and when they were met they took the deal… but prices fluctuate and he jumped at a 1st for Granlund but if he had waited he likely would’ve gotten more cause prices went up.

On the other hand, there’s always a risk that if you hold too long you don’t get anything. Hindsight and all.

He mentioned in the presser that he was happy with the return for Granlund and has no regrets. He said there is always a risk of injury and you never know what will happen.

 

[Grinner]

Not much. Both are versatile to kick out to wing and last I checked 3 guys make up a line.

Ostapchuk-Bystedt-Graf has the make up of a strong 3rd line.

I hope we didn't trade Zetts for a different 3rd line winger.

 

[Patty Ice]

I hope we didn't trade Zetts for a different 3rd line winger.

I hate to break it to you...

However Zetts himself would ideally be your 3rd line winger as a Cup contender.

 

[Grinner]

I hate to break it to you...

However Zetts himself would ideally be your 3rd line winger as a Cup contender.

Yeah, I got that part. So a 3rd line RW for a 3rd line LW.

 

[Jargon]

Yeah, I got that part. So a 3rd line RW for a 3rd line LW.

I think he’s a center, not a winger. Or at least, it sounds like that’s what they see him as.

 

[Grinner]

I think he’s a center, not a winger. Or at least, it sounds like that’s what they see him as.

Yes, I certainly hope so.
But, that's not what I was addressing

 

[Jargon]

Gregor is only 26?! I’ve put that team so deep in the past that I thought he was like 32.

 

[Jargon]

Yes, I certainly hope so.
But, that's not what I was addressing

Didn’t you say that we traded Zetts for a different 3rd line winger? I’m saying we traded him for *what is in their mind* a shut down 3C.

 

[Grinner]

Didn’t you say that we traded Zetts for a different 3rd line winger? I’m saying we traded him for *what is in their mind* a shut down 3C.

I was answering another poster who alluded he could also play wing.

 

[coooldude]

FWIW as much as this one hurts, I see the logic and it'll look good if the new kid becomes the 3C they believe he is.

Looking back, Grier's biggest head scratcher for me is not picking up Fabbro on waivers.

 

[Jargon]

FWIW as much as this one hurts, I see the logic and it'll look good if the new kid becomes the 3C they believe he is.

Looking back, Grier's biggest head scratcher for me is not picking up Fabbro on waivers.

Yeah, I honestly still sort of hate the trade but I do think there’s something to it IF THEY ARE RIGHT ABOUT OSTAPCHUK. I will say some of the scouting from guys here who watched him has made me feel much better. He does sound like a really good kid and if he can genuinely become a Lowry-like player we’ll all be eating crow.
It’s just… again, I would’ve probably rather have traded a pick or a prospect but Ottawa probably declined the offer.

I will say that I continue to be kind of impressed by Grier’s relentless pursuit of his vision. The dude gives zero f***s — trade a fan favorite, make the team terrible for the end of the season, whatever: there’s a vision and he will pursue it.

It’s painful to watch sometimes but I’m also kind of fascinated by the ride. If he pulls it off, it will be a real masterclass in running a rebuild. Big if though.

But yeah I agree, didn’t get the Fabbro thing. I think he sort of figured Liljegren filled the same spot? But it was a real missed opportunity.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Okay, so back to defensemen. Here's literally every player who could be a realistic trade target, even guys I don't want:

BUF- Bowen Byram (RFA 2025, UFA 2027)
BUF- Owen Power ($8.35M until the end of time)
FLA- Niko Mikkola ($2.5M until 2026, then UFA)
LAK- Jordan Spence ($1.5M until 2026, then RFA)
LAK- Brandt Clarke (ELC, RFA 2026)
MIN- Jared Spurgeon ($7.575M until 2027, 10-team NTC)
MTL- Alexandre Carrier ($3.75M until 2027)
MTL- Kaiden Guhle ($5.5M until forever)
NJ- Seamus Casey (ELC)
NJ- Simon Nemec (ELC)
NYI- Noah Dobson (RFA 2025, UFA 2026)
NYI- Alexander Romanov (RFA 2025, UFA 2026)
NYI- Ryan Pulock ($6.15M until the end of time, full NTC)
NYI- Scott Mayfield ($3.5M until the end of time, full NTC)
NYR- K'Andre Miller (RFA 2025, UFA 2027)
NYR- Zac Jones (RFA 2025)
OTT- Nick Jensen ($4.05M, UFA 2026)
PHI- Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.1M, UFA 2027)
PHI- Cam York (RFA 2025)
TBL- JJ Moser ($3.375M, RFA 2026)
UTHC- Sean Durzi ($6M til 2028)
UTHC- Matthew Kesselring (RFA 2026)
VGK- Zach Whitecloud ($2.75M until 2028)
VGK- Kaeden Korczak (RFA 2026)
WAS- Trevor Van Reimsdyk ($3M, UFA 2026)

Now, if you remove guys who are under 6'2", which I will since it's obvious Grier doesn't value anyone under 6'2", here's the list:

Power, Mikkola, Guhle, Dobson, Pulock, Mayfield, Miller, Jensen, Ristolainen, Kesselring, Whitecloud, Korczak, TVR

Truly, a thrilling group. I think the best/most attainable options amongst this group are Dobson, Miller (if we don't get Schaefer), Kesselring, and Whitecloud. Dobson if the Isles are hedging giving him a big contract (Grier would absolutely need to feel out his demands before trading for him), Miller for the same reason, Kesselring if Utah wants to make space for Lamoureux, Whitecloud for cap relief/to promote Korczak.

UFAs that won't command max term deals that are mildly interesting are Orlov, Fabbro, Schmidt.

The best case scenario is probably something like:

Schaefer-Kesselring
Mukhamadullin-Fabbro
Ferraro-Liljegren
Desharnais
Thrun
Vlasic

And that takes a lot of luck and finessing...

 

[gaucholoco3]

If the Sharks draft Schaefer it would be fun if they just said YOLO and went Schaefer, Dickinson, Muk down the left side. Trade Ferraro in a deal for Dobson or Nemec. I would also love a Ekblad signing to so each teenager could have a strong veteran partner.

Schaefer - Ekblad
Dickinson - Dobson
Mukamadulin - Liljegren
Desharnais

 

[Jargon]

Okay, so back to defensemen. Here's literally every player who could be a realistic trade target, even guys I don't want:

BUF- Bowen Byram (RFA 2025, UFA 2027)
BUF- Owen Power ($8.35M until the end of time)
FLA- Niko Mikkola ($2.5M until 2026, then UFA)
LAK- Jordan Spence ($1.5M until 2026, then RFA)
LAK- Brandt Clarke (ELC, RFA 2026)
MIN- Jared Spurgeon ($7.575M until 2027, 10-team NTC)
MTL- Alexandre Carrier ($3.75M until 2027)
MTL- Kaiden Guhle ($5.5M until forever)
NJ- Seamus Casey (ELC)
NJ- Simon Nemec (ELC)
NYI- Noah Dobson (RFA 2025, UFA 2026)
NYI- Alexander Romanov (RFA 2025, UFA 2026)
NYI- Ryan Pulock ($6.15M until the end of time, full NTC)
NYI- Scott Mayfield ($3.5M until the end of time, full NTC)
NYR- K'Andre Miller (RFA 2025, UFA 2027)
NYR- Zac Jones (RFA 2025)
OTT- Nick Jensen ($4.05M, UFA 2026)
PHI- Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.1M, UFA 2027)
PHI- Cam York (RFA 2025)
TBL- JJ Moser ($3.375M, RFA 2026)
UTHC- Sean Durzi ($6M til 2028)
UTHC- Matthew Kesselring (RFA 2026)
VGK- Zach Whitecloud ($2.75M until 2028)
VGK- Kaeden Korczak (RFA 2026)
WAS- Trevor Van Reimsdyk ($3M, UFA 2026)

Now, if you remove guys who are under 6'2", which I will since it's obvious Grier doesn't value anyone under 6'2", here's the list:

Power, Mikkola, Guhle, Dobson, Pulock, Mayfield, Miller, Jensen, Ristolainen, Kesselring, Whitecloud, Korczak, TVR

Truly, a thrilling group. I think the best/most attainable options amongst this group are Dobson, Miller (if we don't get Schaefer), Kesselring, and Whitecloud. Dobson if the Isles are hedging giving him a big contract (Grier would absolutely need to feel out his demands before trading for him), Miller for the same reason, Kesselring if Utah wants to make space for Lamoureux, Whitecloud for cap relief/to promote Korczak.

UFAs that won't command max term deals that are mildly interesting are Orlov, Fabbro, Schmidt.

The best case scenario is probably something like:

Schaefer-Kesselring
Mukhamadullin-Fabbro
Ferraro-Liljegren
Desharnais
Thrun
Vlasic

And that takes a lot of luck and finessing...

Are you penciling Schaefer as our #1D next year or is this just future projecting? Just curious.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Are you penciling Schaefer as our #1D next year or is this just future projecting? Just curious.

Life is meaningless and Sharks hockey is pain. If Celebrini can be our 18 year old #1C then Schaefer can be our 18 year old #2D. I don't even care anymore.

Ironically, NYR acquiring Soucy/Borgen/JT Miller and the Shesterkin contract puts them right back in the cap hell it seemed they'd escaped by moving out Goodrow and Trouba. Maybe stealing Cuylle via 2nd round pick level offersheet is back on?

 

[sharski]

Gregor is only 26?! I’ve put that team so deep in the past that I thought he was like 32.

Tbh I forgot he was still in the nhl