Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Juxtaposer]

And then Kakko is living up in Westchester County (for anyone unfamiliar, basically a rich suburban area a good distance away from NYC or anything else interesting, and you're probably reliant on driving everywhere, so it's not a good place for anything social, which is how you end up basically just sitting around the house like a good boy).

The way the Sharks are doing things with Russians seems particularly good, but there are also all the Swedes...so even if they're in the suburbs, they have a community of sorts. There's so much stuff to think about that people usually didn't consider in the past. You have to think of people as human, though, and not just athlete robots, and then it does make sense.

Yup, that's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about. Askarov and Mukhamadullin, Eklund and Zetterlund, etc. I can't imagine how profoundly lonely it is to be a foreign teenager in a new country, new team, and new league. Way too much adjusting to do at one time.

 

[Jargon]

And then Kakko is living up in Westchester County (for anyone unfamiliar, basically a rich suburban area a good distance away from NYC or anything else interesting, and you're probably reliant on driving everywhere, so it's not a good place for anything social, which is how you end up basically just sitting around the house like a good boy).

The way the Sharks are doing things with Russians seems particularly good, but there are also all the Swedes...so even if they're in the suburbs, they have a community of sorts. There's so much stuff to think about that people usually didn't consider in the past. You have to think of people as human, though, and not just athlete robots, and then it does make sense.

I agree, there's an entire psychology to building a team that goes beyond skill. And I know a lot of people come in and are like WHATEVER THEY MAKE 10 MILLION DOLLARS I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE LONELY which is fine and probably true, but also... they're human beings and this is a team game. You have to build a group that is psychologically in tune.

I do think like you guys are saying, Grier seems to be very aware of that and definitely is trying to team build with it in mind.

 

[timorous me]

I agree, there's an entire psychology to building a team that goes beyond skill. And I know a lot of people come in and are like WHATEVER THEY MAKE 10 MILLION DOLLARS I DON'T CARE IF THEY'RE LONELY which is fine and probably true, but also... they're human beings and this is a team game. You have to build a group that is psychologically in tune.

I do think like you guys are saying, Grier seems to be very aware of that and definitely is trying to team build with it in mind.

And though I've criticized Jan Rutta at times since he joined the Sharks (a guy I always liked when he was younger and more mobile), just listening to the Mukhamadullin interview now, it's no coincidence that he calls out Rutta--admittedly his D partner, but still--as a guy who's really helping him adapt to the NHL. Different country, but still a veteran who's been a winner before--it does mean something, even if I'm as guilty as others for downplaying that aspect of things.

 

[DG93]

And though I've criticized Jan Rutta at times since he joined the Sharks (a guy I always liked when he was younger and more mobile), just listening to the Mukhamadullin interview now, it's no coincidence that he calls out Rutta--admittedly his D partner, but still--as a guy who's really helping him adapt to the NHL. Different country, but still a veteran who's been a winner before--it does mean something, even if I'm as guilty as others for downplaying that aspect of things.

I think Rutta himself has said that he knows a bit of Russian too, which helps I'm sure

 

[Patty Ice]

My wife's cousin, a teenager at the time, was even friends with Kakko's billet family's daughter

 

[matt trick]

View attachment 947436

I thought the same thing!

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

I thought the same thing!

I would be disappointed with anyone who didn't think the same thing

 

[sampler]

Love the idea of taking a stab at Kakko. Price shouldnt be too high as healthy scratches with just 4 goals in 30 games in their 6th NHL season usually don't fetch top dollar despite their draft pedigree.

This is ripe for another grier steal. Maybe the Avs 2nd rounder and 5th rounder from the blackwood trade plus Gushkin or Bordeleau? I doubt it would cost a 1st rounder or any premier prospect. hes only got one more RFA year and his value is rock bottom right now.

Coming to SJ would be just what the doctor ordered for him. Low expectations. Clear top 9 opportunity (maybe even top line) to completely revamp his career, lovely area. no pressure.

And if grier can do it without sacrificing any good '25 draft capital or any of the top young prospects, that would be an awesome move.

 

[TheBeard]

I'd put in a waiver claim for Coughlan

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

So did Askarov get the call up with Vitek being hurt again

 

[Star Platinum]

So did Askarov get the call up with Vitek being hurt again

Yes

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

Yes

Sweet Speer is gonna have his hands full

 

[Timo Time]

Kakko never stuck out to me when I caught any Rangers games but I can't believe he was basically traded out for a bag of nuts

 

[matt trick]

Damn Kaako goes for Will Borgen+3rd+6th.

Unfortunate for two reasons. One, I hoped we'd grab Kaako at that price (though I think Borgen is more valuable than Ceci and their 3rd is more valuable than TBL/COL or whoever we have). Secondly, I hoped to sign Borgen and you got to think Drury wants to keep him.

Seattle will give him more ice time, PP minutes, and opportunity, but not sure that's the place for him to thrive. Got to be better than NY however.

 

[Lebanezer]

That’s a joke right? Couldn’t have been the best offer.

 

[vortexy]

Disappointed really feel like we could have beat this offer but again as I stated before Grier should know Kakko well and honestly just might not value him much. I think I remember he defended Quinn’s time as coach with the Rangers and his decisions to demote Kakko to the 4th line or something like that

 

[Jargon]

If there’s anyone that knows Kakko it’s Grier, so I assume he didn’t think he was right for this team.

I also think we probably are kinda full on middle six players currently, particularly because Graf, Bystedt, Caldwell and (though they’re likely done with this team) Bordeleau/Gushchin will eventually need a spot to prove their mettle. He didn’t seem particularly necessary to me right now.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Damn Kaako goes for Will Borgen+3rd+6th.

Unfortunate for two reasons. One, I hoped we'd grab Kaako at that price (though I think Borgen is more valuable than Ceci and their 3rd is more valuable than TBL/COL or whoever we have). Secondly, I hoped to sign Borgen and you got to think Drury wants to keep him.

Seattle will give him more ice time, PP minutes, and opportunity, but not sure that's the place for him to thrive. Got to be better than NY however.

I don't know if that's necessarily true as it relates to Borgen/Ceci but if we were unwilling to fork over a 2nd to beat that 3rd, we could've beaten the 3rd and 6th with a 3rd and 4th and still be fine with the picks after moving some of the other guys we're likely to move before the deadline. Grier could've pretty easily found a way to beat this offer if Kakko held such value to him. He should have a pretty good knowledge of Kakko's value and if he wasn't willing to pay up then my guess is that he doesn't feel like he's actually a fit for us moving forward which is understandable. Even if this is all that Kakko is, a reasonably dependable 3rd line winger is useful. Kakko just turns the puck over a lot. But it's also not a player you lose sleep over missing out on either.

 

[Alaskanice]

I think Kovy is a better fit here and will do better regardless if he’s a few years older.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I think Kovy is a better fit here and will do better regardless if he’s a few years older.

I would've gladly paid a similar price if it ensured stapling Goodrow to the 4th line. I agree Kovalenko is a better fit but adding on to that Kakko would've kept Goodrow and Kunin on the 4th line where they are genuinely useful and effective as PK'ers while also helping to spell the end of Kostin in the top nine. None of Kostin, Kunin, or Goodrow should be in the top nine and without them there, we have an opening that someone needs to take so they aren't options.

 

[matt trick]

I don't know if that's necessarily true as it relates to Borgen/Ceci but if we were unwilling to fork over a 2nd to beat that 3rd, we could've beaten the 3rd and 6th with a 3rd and 4th and still be fine with the picks after moving some of the other guys we're likely to move before the deadline. Grier could've pretty easily found a way to beat this offer if Kakko held such value to him. He should have a pretty good knowledge of Kakko's value and if he wasn't willing to pay up then my guess is that he doesn't feel like he's actually a fit for us moving forward which is understandable. Even if this is all that Kakko is, a reasonably dependable 3rd line winger is useful. Kakko just turns the puck over a lot. But it's also not a player you lose sleep over missing out on either.

Great point on Grier. I don't what the value of Borgen is, but I'm guessing it's a 2nd. Could be a third. Ceci will give a decent proxy at the deadline though he's playoff proven.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Great point on Grier. I don't what the value of Borgen is, but I'm guessing it's a 2nd. Could be a third. Ceci will give a decent proxy at the deadline though he's playoff proven.

I think they have similar value after you look at everything and I would think it's in that 3rd round area. Ceci has more playoff experience but both guys are pretty much just someone you put as a partner of someone who is going to do most of the heavy lifting.

 

[Hodge]

Kakko only has 1 year of team control after this one before he becomes a UFA. So even if the delusional Rangers fans are correct that he has massive untapped offensive upside, you would have to pay him for that almost immediately if he reaches it. And if Kakko just ends up being no better than a 30-40 point middle six defensive winger Borgen+3rd+6th is too much to give up for 1.5 seasons of that.

 

[Lebanezer]

 

[TheBeard]

Kakko only has 1 year of team control after this one before he becomes a UFA. So even if the delusional Rangers fans are correct that he has massive untapped offensive upside, you would have to pay him for that almost immediately if he reaches it. And if Kakko just ends up being no better than a 30-40 point middle six defensive winger Borgen+3rd+6th is too much to give up for 1.5 seasons of that.

He really was Jesse Pujliarvi 2.0. A high pick that everyone claimed was a defensive wizard with untapped offensive potential.