Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Shark Finn]

and their 2026 1st (unprotected

This is where I lol'd

Here's mine

 

[tahoesharksfan]

It’s been a while since the Sharks hit on NHL talent with Euro UFA signings. Anyone got a bead on the next class of interesting European free agents?

This got me thinking….

Sundstrum brought in a few contributors over the years but we haven’t heard his name now in quite a while. What is going on with our European scouting?!

 

[matt trick]

This got me thinking….

Sundstrum brought in a few contributors over the years but we haven’t heard his name now in quite a while. What is going on with our European scouting?!

Outside goalies, they're not terribly common, though there have been some really good ones. Amongst undrafted guys (harder to track those who were drafted but not signed) Donskoi, Pius Suter, Zub, Mikheyev stand out recently, alongside our own Goody, Donskoi, Simek, Sorensen, and Melker.

Panarin is the gold standard. I wouldn't mind seeing more EU free agent signings, but there haven't been too many awesome ones recently that I can recall recently. Last year, Graf was by far the highest rated of combined EU/college UFA rankings, and he's exceeded expectations in the AHl thus far.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

You might get a 2nd for Granlund, but the rest are all 4th round picks or in Ferraro's case a 6th rounder

If all they can get for Granlund is a 2nd then you take that if he's not willing to re-sign to a 2 or 3 year deal. The rest is pretty much take it or leave it and it doesn't matter much but I'd still prefer the picks and open lineup spots for kids to get some NHL experience.

 

[STL Shark]

This got me thinking….

Sundstrum brought in a few contributors over the years but we haven’t heard his name now in quite a while. What is going on with our European scouting?!

We're drafting higher in the 1st round now and aren't in cap hell to the point we have to hope we hit on a Donskoi, Melker, Sorensen, etc. Can sign an NHLer instead to teach the kids.

 

[timorous me]

We're drafting higher in the 1st round now and aren't in cap hell to the point we have to hope we hit on a Donskoi, Melker, Sorensen, etc. Can sign an NHLer instead to teach the kids.

I would also assume that scouting across Europe is better than ever (with Russia as the biggest challenge in recent years, but you're also unlikely to sign undrafted free agents from there right now, too), which means that guys who end up having NHL talent are less likely to fall through the cracks prior to the draft.

 

[mogambomoroo]

One day as GMMG at the next offseason.
In this scenario we have drafted Martone or another forward, Schaefer was drafted earlier.

This is hopeful thinking, but in this scenario MG pushes to get that 1D of the future with a trade.
NYI and Dobson in his mind. MG goes aggressively for Dobson, NYI sees no other way.
Dobson may even show no interest signing with NYI for god knows why and that helps this deal go through.
NYI gets a ton of assets, with Q.Musty being the main one.
Risk on both sides, but Sharks bank on Dobson becoming their 1D.
Islanders bank on getting a lot of assets to figure out what to do next.
Maybe even tank for McKenna, which would be wise but unlikely.

Trade:

SJS
Noah Dobson RFA

NYI
Quentin Musty $918 K
Jack Thompson $1.0 M
Mario Ferraro $3.3 M
Eric Pohlkamp Signing rights
Brandon Svoboda Signing rights
2025 2nd round pick
2026 2nd round pick

It's still not a playoff team since they really didn't get anything remarkable at top 6, but I could see a big improving with Celebrini/Smith taking a bigger role, Dobson taking that 1D spot and some free agents + Askarov continuing to improve.

Signings:
Nikolai Kovalenko $1,000,000 × 2 years
Shakir Mukhamadullin $1,750,000 × 3 years
Fabian Zetterlund $4,000,000 × 4 years
Jack Thompson $1,000,000 × 2 years (used on Dobson trade)
Trent Frederic $3,500,000 × 4 years
Kevin Lankinen $3,250,000 × 2 years
Noah Dobson $8,250,000 × 8 years
William Borgen $3,250,000 × 3 years

Frederic coming as a swiss army knife, I could see him anywhere between 1-3 lines doing what he has to do. Sharks don't get any of the big FA, so they go with what they can get. Frederik, Borgen and surprisingly Lankinen. Dobson is obviously the main piece of the summer, really solidifying that blue line even more.

Sharks line up 25-26:

Frederik - Celebrini - Toffoli
Eklund - Smith - Zetterlund
Kovalenko - Wennberg - Graf
Goodrow - Bystedt - Dellandrea
Grundstrom

Walman - Dobson
Mukhamadullin - Liljegren
Thrun - Borgen
Cagnoni/Dickinson (depending on the off season)

Lankinen 1a
Askarov 1b

One day as GMMG at the next offseason.
In this scenario we have drafted Martone or another forward, Schaefer was drafted earlier.

This is hopeful thinking, but in this scenario MG pushes to get that 1D of the future with a trade.
NYI and Dobson in his mind. MG goes aggressively for Dobson, NYI sees no other way.
Dobson may even show no interest signing with NYI for god knows why and that helps this deal go through.
NYI gets a ton of assets, with Q.Musty being the main one.
Risk on both sides, but Sharks bank on Dobson becoming their 1D.
Islanders bank on getting a lot of assets to figure out what to do next.
Maybe even tank for McKenna, which would be wise but unlikely.

Trade:

SJS
Noah Dobson RFA

NYI
Quentin Musty $918 K
Jack Thompson $1.0 M
Mario Ferraro $3.3 M
Eric Pohlkamp Signing rights
Brandon Svoboda Signing rights
2025 2nd round pick
2026 2nd round pick

It's still not a playoff team since they really didn't get anything remarkable at top 6, but I could see a big improving with Celebrini/Smith taking a bigger role, Dobson taking that 1D spot and some free agents + Askarov continuing to improve.

Signings:
Nikolai Kovalenko $1,000,000 × 2 years
Shakir Mukhamadullin $1,750,000 × 3 years
Fabian Zetterlund $4,000,000 × 4 years
Jack Thompson $1,000,000 × 2 years (used on Dobson trade)
Trent Frederic $3,500,000 × 4 years
Kevin Lankinen $3,250,000 × 2 years
Noah Dobson $8,250,000 × 8 years
William Borgen $3,250,000 × 3 years

Frederic coming as a swiss army knife, I could see him anywhere between 1-3 lines doing what he has to do. Sharks don't get any of the big FA, so they go with what they can get. Frederik, Borgen and surprisingly Lankinen. Dobson is obviously the main piece of the summer, really solidifying that blue line even more.

Sharks line up 25-26:

Frederik - Celebrini - Toffoli
Eklund - Smith - Zetterlund
Kovalenko - Wennberg - Graf
Goodrow - Bystedt - Dellandrea
Grundstrom

Walman - Dobson
Mukhamadullin - Liljegren
Thrun - Borgen
Cagnoni/Dickinson (depending on the off season)

Lankinen 1a
Askarov 1b

 

[Crewouse]

One day as GMMG at the next offseason.
In this scenario we have drafted Martone or another forward, Schaefer was drafted earlier.

This is hopeful thinking, but in this scenario MG pushes to get that 1D of the future with a trade.
NYI and Dobson in his mind. MG goes aggressively for Dobson, NYI sees no other way.
Dobson may even show no interest signing with NYI for god knows why and that helps this deal go through.
NYI gets a ton of assets, with Q.Musty being the main one.
Risk on both sides, but Sharks bank on Dobson becoming their 1D.
Islanders bank on getting a lot of assets to figure out what to do next.
Maybe even tank for McKenna, which would be wise but unlikely.

Trade:

SJS
Noah Dobson RFA

NYI
Quentin Musty $918 K
Jack Thompson $1.0 M
Mario Ferraro $3.3 M
Eric Pohlkamp Signing rights
Brandon Svoboda Signing rights
2025 2nd round pick
2026 2nd round pick

It's still not a playoff team since they really didn't get anything remarkable at top 6, but I could see a big improving with Celebrini/Smith taking a bigger role, Dobson taking that 1D spot and some free agents + Askarov continuing to improve.

Signings:
Nikolai Kovalenko $1,000,000 × 2 years
Shakir Mukhamadullin $1,750,000 × 3 years
Fabian Zetterlund $4,000,000 × 4 years
Jack Thompson $1,000,000 × 2 years (used on Dobson trade)
Trent Frederic $3,500,000 × 4 years
Kevin Lankinen $3,250,000 × 2 years
Noah Dobson $8,250,000 × 8 years
William Borgen $3,250,000 × 3 years

Frederic coming as a swiss army knife, I could see him anywhere between 1-3 lines doing what he has to do. Sharks don't get any of the big FA, so they go with what they can get. Frederik, Borgen and surprisingly Lankinen. Dobson is obviously the main piece of the summer, really solidifying that blue line even more.

Sharks line up 25-26:

Frederik - Celebrini - Toffoli
Eklund - Smith - Zetterlund
Kovalenko - Wennberg - Graf
Goodrow - Bystedt - Dellandrea
Grundstrom

Walman - Dobson
Mukhamadullin - Liljegren
Thrun - Borgen
Cagnoni/Dickinson (depending on the off season)

Lankinen 1a
Askarov 1b

no shot that isles trade happens. If the package doesn't make you sweat, you're nowhere close

 

[xsniper11x]

What is the plan with Askarov at this point? I’m amazed he’s still in the A given his ridiculous numbers, but is the plan to just leave him down there until the deadline? Least it seems like he’s having fun down there and is showing patience.

 

[weastern bias]

SJS
Noah Dobson RFA

NYI
Quentin Musty $918 K
Jack Thompson $1.0 M
Mario Ferraro $3.3 M
Eric Pohlkamp Signing rights
Brandon Svoboda Signing rights
2025 2nd round pick
2026 2nd round pick

That Dobson trade is completely unrealistic, you're simply not getting a 25 year old 1st pair RHD without trading a 1st round pick, this package is mostly just fluff

Dobson is an excellent trade target but if you want him you need to be willing to pay out the nose, he would be in very high demand if he actually hit the market

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Mukhamadullin
Decent roster player

That's a competitive offer, a 1st, a quality prospect or 2 and a legitimate NHL player

Thompson, signing rights and 2nd round picks won't mean anything to the Islanders

 

[coooldude]

What is the plan with Askarov at this point? I’m amazed he’s still in the A given his ridiculous numbers, but is the plan to just leave him down there until the deadline? Least it seems like he’s having fun down there and is showing patience.

Yeah, it sounds like Grier and Askarov are both content to keep him in the AHL and see how Georgie and Vanecek do... It'll certainly help our tank. Full expectation is that one of the other guys go somewhere at the deadline and he comes up, or if not, in the summer. It's Askarov's starting role to lose in next year's camp but it's gotta be like 98% that he's on the NHL roster.

 

[STL Shark]

If we're fantasizing about offseason big name additions, just pony up $13M a year for Rantanen and staple him to Macklin's wing for the next 7 years.

 

[coooldude]

If we're fantasizing about offseason big name additions, just pony up $13M a year for Rantanen and staple him to Macklin's wing for the next 7 years.

I would love it. I think he stays in COL but I think you agree.

 

[weastern bias]

If we're fantasizing about offseason big name additions, just pony up $13M a year for Rantanen and staple him to Macklin's wing for the next 7 years.

Please get a defenseman instead

Please?

Please

 

[Pinkfloyd]

That Dobson trade is completely unrealistic, you're simply not getting a 25 year old 1st pair RHD without trading a 1st round pick, this package is mostly just fluff

Dobson is an excellent trade target but if you want him you need to be willing to pay out the nose, he would be in very high demand if he actually hit the market

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Mukhamadullin
Decent roster player

That's a competitive offer, a 1st, a quality prospect or 2 and a legitimate NHL player

Thompson, signing rights and 2nd round picks won't mean anything to the Islanders

I would pretty easily do your offer too. I'm not sure that there's a decent roster player on our team that would change that math for me. I'm not sure if anyone other than Askarov, Celebrini, Dickinson, and Smith would be off the table for Dobson with an extension. Even the latter two could be argued to be put on the table for someone the team may feel is their missing #1D.

 

[STL Shark]

I would love it. I think he stays in COL but I think you agree.

I think he does as well, but I also am curious where they find the $14M in cap space he's reportedly looking for (just read an article this AM on that number being $14M as opposed to the $13M I had suggested).

That puts them at $86M for next year while needing 4 forwards, 2 D-Men, and a goalie. Even if we get to $96M and Landeskog is on LTIR, that's still a tall cap juggling task to complete.

If he leaves, I don't know if SJ is a top choice for him, but he will get a massive deal on the open market.

 

[Forlan]

If we're fantasizing about offseason big name additions, just pony up $13M a year for Rantanen and staple him to Macklin's wing for the next 7 years.

Please don't do this, Rantanen is definitely a star and an elite, but he has already won the Stanley Cup. He is interested in the last fat contract in his career and that's all. In addition, he has a slight tendency to injury. He will be looking for a contract for 13.0 - 14.0 million, with an adequate price of 11.5 - 12.0

 

[weastern bias]

I would pretty easily do your offer too. I'm not sure that there's a decent roster player on our team that would change that math for me. I'm not sure if anyone other than Askarov, Celebrini, Dickinson, and Smith would be off the table for Dobson with an extension. Even the latter two could be argued to be put on the table for someone the team may feel is their missing #1D.

I would add our 2025 1st to the "off the table" list, but we're in agreement here

 

[Hodge]

That Dobson trade is completely unrealistic, you're simply not getting a 25 year old 1st pair RHD without trading a 1st round pick, this package is mostly just fluff

Dobson is an excellent trade target but if you want him you need to be willing to pay out the nose, he would be in very high demand if he actually hit the market

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Mukhamadullin
Decent roster player

That's a competitive offer, a 1st, a quality prospect or 2 and a legitimate NHL player

Thompson, signing rights and 2nd round picks won't mean anything to the Islanders

I'd make that trade if we can also top 2 protect the 2027 1st if the pick converts. Maybe give up an extra 2nd in order to get that protection.

 

[weastern bias]

I'd make that trade if we can also top 2 protect the 2027 1st if the pick converts. Maybe give up an extra 2nd in order to get that protection.

That might be a bridge too far for the Islanders, though it would certainly be better for us

I still don't understand why the Islanders would be shopping Dobson in the first place, but if he's legitimately on the market we should be aggressive about it, it would be a huge boost to our timeline to bring that talent in right now

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I would add our 2025 1st to the "off the table" list, but we're in agreement here

I would think we'd either need to add a significant roster player that would help the Islanders next season if they're still competing or a 2025 draft pick that is either our 2nd or a 1st we get from moving Granlund. Otherwise, that sort of deal is not likely to give them the ammunition they'd want to continue competing.

I'm also not entirely convinced that Dobson is our answer either but there just isn't much available either.

 

[weastern bias]

I would think we'd either need to add a significant roster player that would help the Islanders next season if they're still competing or a 2025 draft pick that is either our 2nd or a 1st we get from moving Granlund. Otherwise, that sort of deal is not likely to give them the ammunition they'd want to continue competing.

I'm also not entirely convinced that Dobson is our answer either but there just isn't much available either.

I do think that Ferraro has the hallmarks of the kind of player Lou Lamoriello would value, I wouldn't be shocked if he was someone the Islanders targeted in a trade return for Dobson

Hell, package Granlund and Ferraro together to give them the "win-now" value they're looking for and use it to get Dobson in return

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Granlund
Ferraro

For Dobson with a long-term extension

I'd do that today no questions asked

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I do think that Ferraro has the hallmarks of the kind of player Lou Lamoriello would value, I wouldn't be shocked if he was someone the Islanders targeted in a trade return for Dobson

Hell, package Granlund and Ferraro together to give them the "win-now" value they're looking for and use it to get Dobson in return

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Granlund
Ferraro

For Dobson with a long-term extension

I'd do that today no questions asked

I would too. I just don't know about those players being seen as that valuable to them.

 

[coooldude]

I do think that Ferraro has the hallmarks of the kind of player Lou Lamoriello would value, I wouldn't be shocked if he was someone the Islanders targeted in a trade return for Dobson

Hell, package Granlund and Ferraro together to give them the "win-now" value they're looking for and use it to get Dobson in return

2026 1st (top 10 protected)
Musty
Granlund
Ferraro

For Dobson with a long-term extension

I'd do that today no questions asked

Might have to be top 5 protected. I think this is an obvious trade too, which might mean it's not enough.

 

[weastern bias]

I would too. I just don't know about those players being seen as that valuable to them.

The value seems low to me as well, but Lamoriello is an enigma, he's the ultimate anti-tank-always-win-now guy, I would hope he overvalues veteran roster players, but I might be being overly optimistic