Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[hohosaregood]

Out of curiosity what about his development track has been compromised? I was under the impression he had an outstanding season last year.

I think it's the off puck play and attitude are concerning. I saw some comments from Sudbury fans claiming his off puck play was getting better but also some bad on ice body language and conduct. So pretty mixed bag right now but not exactly the trajectory of a bonafide top 6er.

 

[TheBeard]

Why do people want to trade Musty? Besides Hodge, I know why he wants to trade him.

Because we need RD and Brandon Coe doesn’t have much trade value.

 

[Lebanezer]

Yea he did for sure, but then this season he forced to go back to the OHL, held out on his team for a trade that didn't manifest, and had to play on a team that wasn't aiding in his full-game development. Now he broke his hand and will miss the WJC (which he didnt make last year) and his injury will likely keep him out after the trade deadline, locking him onto said unhelpful team.

Plenty of kids put up insane numbers in the CHL and can't capture that in the NHL. Since putting up said insane numbers, seemingly everything has been working against him. Considering this season - a critical one for development - might end up being entirely lost, it's logical to think his development has been compromised.

Maybe i'm being alarmist but i'm not feeling confident about him at all

This is definitely being an alarmist. He's only 19, and didn't realistically have a chance to force his way onto an NHL roster. The only option was for him to go back to the OHL. His full game development is something he can work on even when playing for a bad team, and if he wants to make the Sharks sooner than later that's exactly what he needs to do. His season won't be entirely lost, he'll come back from his injury and still have plenty of games left to improve. And if he isn't traded he can play some games with the Barracuda after the Wolves are eliminated from playoff contention.

I think it's the off puck play and attitude are concerning. I saw some comments from Sudbury fans claiming his off puck play was getting better but also some bad on ice body language and conduct. So pretty mixed bag right now but not exactly the trajectory of a bonafide top 6er.

He's already made it clear that he doesn't want to play for Sudbury, and given his age, I don't think it's surprising that he showed his displeasure at times. Especially since the Wolves are a bad team. Him being pissed about not making the Sharks is a good thing if it motivates him to work on the things that the team needs him to. I don't think we need to make a judgement about his trajectory at this point.

 

[tiburon12]

This is definitely being an alarmist.

ok but.....

He's only 19, and didn't realistically have a chance to force his way onto an NHL roster. The only option was for him to go back to the OHL.

Obv not his fault but the reality that he has to play in a league below his level is a undisputed minus towards development.

His full game development is something he can work on even when playing for a bad team, and if he wants to make the Sharks sooner than later that's exactly what he needs to do.

Sure, but does this team have the resources to help him that way? all accounts are that they do not. Plus he wants out. Not a good mix if you're hoping for an ideal outcome.

His season won't be entirely lost, he'll come back from his injury and still have plenty of games left to improve. And if he isn't traded he can play some games with the Barracuda after the Wolves are eliminated from playoff contention.

Ok "entirely lost" was hyperbolic. My thought is more that this fraction of a season can't possibly be sufficient for him to take the necessary next steps that he would have needed to take over a full season to become the top-6 winger we expect him to be.

There is still a chance he hits but undoubtedly that chance is smaller now thanks to this range of mitigating factors.

 

[StrawHatEklund]

For Jiriceck, I’m okay with some combo of either Musty/Bystedt + a 2nd and maybe Ferraro or Rutta. I really don’t want to trade Mukh or any D prospects.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

ok but.....

Obv not his fault but the reality that he has to play in a league below his level is a undisputed minus towards development.

Sure, but does this team have the resources to help him that way? all accounts are that they do not. Plus he wants out. Not a good mix if you're hoping for an ideal outcome.

Ok "entirely lost" was hyperbolic. My thought is more that this fraction of a season can't possibly be sufficient for him to take the necessary next steps that he would have needed to take over a full season to become the top-6 winger we expect him to be.

There is still a chance he hits but undoubtedly that chance is smaller now thanks to this range of mitigating factors.

Idk, while unfortunate he has to stay OHL for his D+2, it’s hardly unusual that a 19 year old doesn’t make an NHL roster. And the framing that if he looses a portion of his D+2 season it’s all over seems pretty alarmist. Players get injured, timelines shift, shrug.

He can make the most of whatever season he gets, regroup in the off season, and spend next year on the Cuda. Maybe he spends an additional development season or half beyond that, making up for lost development time, working on his game in the AHL. That puts in in the NHL at age 21/22 instead of 20 and roughly on the same timeline that Toffoli took; which seems fine to me.

Eklund had what I think we can all agree was a disastrous D+1, perhaps delaying his arrival by a season, but he’s doing fine. Obviously pedigree is a bit different between the two, but I’d wager late first rounders breaking in to the NHL at 21/22 years old is probably a pretty positive outcome historically.

I’d be concerned if there was evidence his development has stalled, but aside from a less than perfect development environment and a fluke injury (that seems unlikely to be chronic), I’ve seen no actual evidence that his development has stalled.

 

[Patty Ice]

Out of curiosity what about his development track has been compromised? I was under the impression he had an outstanding season last year.

I think it's the "we can't have nice things" attitude that has developed in the fan base.

Once something goes awry, it's a foregone conclusion that the worst outcome will come to pass.

 

[timorous me]

Yea he did for sure, but then this season he forced to go back to the OHL, held out on his team for a trade that didn't manifest, and had to play on a team that wasn't aiding in his full-game development. Now he broke his hand and will miss the WJC (which he didnt make last year) and his injury will likely keep him out after the trade deadline, locking him onto said unhelpful team.

Plenty of kids put up insane numbers in the CHL and can't capture that in the NHL. Since putting up said insane numbers, seemingly everything has been working against him. Considering this season - a critical one for development - might end up being entirely lost, it's logical to think his development has been compromised.

Maybe i'm being alarmist but i'm not feeling confident about him at all

Compromised might be a bit of a strong word, but I get where you're coming from. But I'm choosing--with the Spirit of 71 guiding me--to take a more relaxed, sanguine perspective with Musty.

Has this year (and just in general being on a not great for development OHL team) set back his progress and development? Yeah, for sure. It's been a hell of a mess of a season for him.

But he's so young still that there's no reason to believe this has to be more than a setback. There are still ways to grow as a player even when not playing. And we all know he has some fantastic talent, he's got good size. But he's always struck me as the type who's going to take a little longer than we thought to develop and become an NHL regular, especially one who's a positive contributor.

Is it the worst thing if he spends most of next season learning how to be a pro in the AHL? It might feel like delayed gratification, it might feel like he's not on the right path...but even next year he'll only be 20. He's got time, and the Sharks have time. Timo Meier, for instance, became a Sharks regular at 21, but still played fewer than 15 minutes per game with under 0.5 ppg.

And I know it might be ridiculous, but I also have this fantasy of Celebrini as this uber-leader within a couple years, kind of Crosby-esque in the way even at a young age he'll have the talent, drive, and leadership to take others around him--especially a talented forward of a similar age like Musty--under his wing and basically whip them into shape.