Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

Skeksis25

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Feb 17, 2023
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Are we sure the good run he has had in 11 games this year is the real Blackwood and the inconsistent goalie over the last half decade plus is the mirage? It could be, who knows, but specially with someone like Askarov in the org, I'd rather sell high on him and let someone else make a long term commitment.
 
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matt trick

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Jun 12, 2007
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If he keeps up this performance, wouldn't it be reasonable to expect a stronger team to offer him term this offseason? Why would he stay for 3 or so years while the Sharks still suck to inevitably be replaced by Asky if he can capitalize on this performance

I think you'd have to offer 4-5 for him to stay, but he could be traded once Askarov is ready for 55+ games. That said, if he wants out or too much you definitely trade him this deadline.

Also, there's always the risk a goalie goes full Tristen Jarry.
 

Gecklund

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I just want to go on record to say that my offseason fever dream of throwing all the monies at Stamkos on a 2-3 year deal… has proven to be a terrible terrible idea.

We can all, as I do, appreciate that my ideas go no further than these forums.

:laugh::help:
I think lots of us were on this train but not necessarily for his play. He’s really fallen off in his last few years but Tampa was able to insulate him. NSH though not so much.

If we are bringing up offseason ideas though, my desire to give up the entire franchise except Macklin and our firsts for Necas is proving that we should have done it.
 

Gecklund

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Are we sure the good run he has had in 11 games this year is the real Blackwood and the inconsistent goalie over the last half decade plus is the mirage? It could be, who knows, but specially with someone like Askarov in the org, I'd rather sell high on him and let someone else make a long term commitment.
One thing about NJD that is super interesting (at least the last few years, haven’t paid as close attention this year) is they limit a lot of shots and keep teams to the outside a lot. Issue is most of their team isn’t strong enough to fully keep them to the outside. So what this results in is 20 shots against per game but most of them are at least chances, there’s not a ton of just throw it on net and see what happens.

Blackwood and Vanecek both seem like what I call volume goalies. I have no idea if this is more of a thing than I realize but basically they do well when they are in rhythm. So while they are facing just as many high quality chances with SJ, they are warmed up and stopping them at a higher rate.

All this to say I think Blackwood and Vanecek are better than they showed in NJ and are getting shit on in SJ because the team is terrible despite they playing actually pretty well.

PS this is supported exclusively by my biased eye test. I have 0 idea how well stats back this up if they do at all.
 
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Saskatoon

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Aug 24, 2006
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One thing about NJD that is super interesting (at least the last few years, haven’t paid as close attention this year) is they limit a lot of shots and keep teams to the outside a lot. Issue is most of their team isn’t strong enough to fully keep them to the outside. So what this results in is 20 shots against per game but most of them are at least chances, there’s not a ton of just throw it on net and see what happens.

Blackwood and Vanecek both seem like what I call volume goalies. I have no idea if this is more of a thing than I realize but basically they do well when they are in rhythm. So while they are facing just as many high quality chances with SJ, they are warmed up and stopping them at a higher rate.

All this to say I think Blackwood and Vanecek are better than they showed in NJ and are getting shit on in SJ because the team is terrible despite they playing actually pretty well.

PS this is supported exclusively by my biased eye test. I have 0 idea how well stats back this up if they do at all.

Don't have time to go dig up articles right now but there has been some goaltending chatter about low danger chances. Beyond the fact that they almost never go in there is some support for the concept that low danger chances also help keep the opposing goaltender in the game and they end up doing better on the more difficult chances.

There is definingly a movement overall for teams to reduce poor quality shots and it will be interesting to see how that shakes up the goaltending landscape.
 
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Gecklund

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He's 22 years old with 2+ years of AHL experience, calling him up would not be rushing him.
I mean don’t get me wrong, personally I agree with you. The latest he will be in the NHL is next year. With that said, it doesn’t seem like Grier agrees with us based on Blackwood and Vanecek still being on the team. If teams right now are only offering the Kahkonen package, why are we doing that? I’d rather ride it out for now and see if offers get better at the TDL.
 
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Pinkfloyd

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Oct 29, 2006
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I mean don’t get me wrong, personally I agree with you. The latest he will be in the NHL is next year. With that said, it doesn’t seem like Grier agrees with us based on Blackwood and Vanecek still being on the team. If teams right now are only offering the Kahkonen package, why are we doing that? I’d rather ride it out for now and see if offers get better at the TDL.
That's why if there's no meaningful offers out there, you just IR Vanecek retroactive to Saturday and call up Askarov for the week.
 

nerdybeard

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Oct 1, 2011
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Saskatoon

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SjMilhouse

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Jul 18, 2012
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Why’s that? Why do we have to rush Askarov?
Extend Vitek or sign someone else to a 1-2 year deal and run a platoon to ease him in if you're worried about workload. If you think he's ready, no sense in keeping Blackwood when you can flip him for an asset now. Realistically, the team isn't going to be competing for anything of note in the next 3-4 years anyways so what's the point of keeping Blackwood if you believe Askarov is the future starter
 
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Gecklund

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Extend Vitek or sign someone else to a 1-2 year deal and run a platoon to ease him in if you're worried about workload. If you think he's ready, no sense in keeping Blackwood when you can flip him for an asset now. Realistically, the team isn't going to be competing for anything of note in the next 3-4 years anyways so what's the point of keeping Blackwood if you believe Askarov is the future starter
But you’re assuming you can flip him for an asset for now. There’s been plenty if prospects with their development ruined because they were rushed.

I think you’re misrepresenting my point though. I’m not saying keep Askarov in the AHL for multiple years. I’m saying don’t move Blackwood for nothing just to call up Askarov right now. If TDL is today then sure move Blackwood or Vanecek for nothing.
 

timorous me

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But you’re assuming you can flip him for an asset for now. There’s been plenty if prospects with their development ruined because they were rushed.
But how many of those prospects were goalies? (This is an honest question--I don't know the answer but I suspect it's not that many.) And not just goalies, but players with as much AHL experience as Askarov has?

I'm sure there are still things Askarov needs to learn and improve on despite his good showings with the Barracuda, but I don't see why he can't learn those at the NHL level at this point. And with Vanecek around, as long as he stays relatively healthy, there's no need to overuse Askarov this season, and next year they could operate similarly with someone to share the crease with him (maybe 60-40 Askarov if he's shown he's up for it).
 

Gecklund

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But how many of those prospects were goalies? (This is an honest question--I don't know the answer but I suspect it's not that many.) And not just goalies, but players with as much AHL experience as Askarov has?

I'm sure there are still things Askarov needs to learn and improve on despite his good showings with the Barracuda, but I don't see why he can't learn those at the NHL level at this point. And with Vanecek around, as long as he stays relatively healthy, there's no need to overuse Askarov this season, and next year they could operate similarly with someone to share the crease with him (maybe 60-40 Askarov if he's shown he's up for it).
I added a quick little edit to it. Basically I’m not saying like never give Askarov time but I also don’t think it’s necessary to move Blackwood for whatever is offered at this moment.

A couple that immediately come to mind are Campbell, Fucale, and Blackwood. The other issue though is that goaltending is so voodoo that these guys could have just been not very good.
 

zombie kopitar

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But how many of those prospects were goalies? (This is an honest question--I don't know the answer but I suspect it's not that many.) And not just goalies, but players with as much AHL experience as Askarov has?

I'm sure there are still things Askarov needs to learn and improve on despite his good showings with the Barracuda, but I don't see why he can't learn those at the NHL level at this point. And with Vanecek around, as long as he stays relatively healthy, there's no need to overuse Askarov this season, and next year they could operate similarly with someone to share the crease with him (maybe 60-40 Askarov if he's shown he's up for it).
I think getting more reps and wins in the AHL isn't a bad choice either. Pulling him up right now seems great for a game or 2, idk how much I like the idea of him being the starter or the backup on a lottery team though. Of course if he just shines right out the gate , keep him up as needed
 

Jargon

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Apr 12, 2011
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Venice, California
But you’re assuming you can flip him for an asset for now. There’s been plenty if prospects with their development ruined because they were rushed.

I think you’re misrepresenting my point though. I’m not saying keep Askarov in the AHL for multiple years. I’m saying don’t move Blackwood for nothing just to call up Askarov right now. If TDL is today then sure move Blackwood or Vanecek for nothing.

Oh I think you misunderstood my post. I agree, don’t rush a trade, I’m just saying there’s no world where we need to re-sign Blackwood when I think he’ll fetch something not bad on the trade market — whether now or later in the season. I think next year is Askarov’s to lose.
 
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Gecklund

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Oh I think you misunderstood my post. I agree, don’t rush a trade, I’m just saying there’s no world where we need to re-sign Blackwood when I think he’ll fetch something not bad on the trade market — whether now or later in the season. I think next year is Askarov’s to lose.
Ah yeah definitely misunderstood. I was under the assumption you were saying accept whatever’s offered now and go from there. My bad!
 
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weastern bias

worst team in the league
Feb 3, 2012
11,653
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I'm a little afraid of Askarov destroying the tanking after we'll move Blacky



We're actually getting well above average goaltending so far this year, it's the rest of the team letting the goalies down right now as opposed to the other way around

I wouldn't worry about Askarov spoiling the tank, if he does it's actually incredible news because we've learned we have the best goalie in the world in our system, lol
 

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