Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[timorous me]

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.

Beyond the merits of having goons on your team (I don't think Smith even really fits that definition of the term; he's simply a sub-4th line player who's willing to fight, but not some heavyweight), I think you have to also consider the other side of it: a young player with upside who's paid his dues in the minors and has shown growth and seems clearly ready for at least a more extended chance in the NHL.

If you're not going to give him a chance, then what kind of message does that send to all the other not-superstar prospects in the system?

 

[Alaskanice]

Beyond the merits of having goons on your team (I don't think Smith even really fits that definition of the term; he's simply a sub-4th line player who's willing to fight, but not some heavyweight), I think you have to also consider the other side of it: a young player with upside who's paid his dues in the minors and has shown growth and seems clearly ready for at least a more extended chance in the NHL.

If you're not going to give him a chance, then what kind of message does that send to all the other not-superstar prospects in the system?

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.

 

[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.