Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[TheBeard]

I mean he's never been the worst player on his own line for an extended period of time and how a two week stretch where he was arguably our best player with Granlund. Calling him not an NHL contributor because parts of his game need a lot of work is overly critical.

There was a two week stretch where Ferraro was arguably our best defenseman. What about the other 2 months?

 

[one2gamble]

I am not hyper critical of Will Smith, I am honest about what he brings to the table at this point in his development, he's about where we should expect him to be at this stage which is that he is not an NHL caliber contributor but he is too good to have stayed in college

I have also repeatedly said that it is not a concern and that it does not mean he won't develop into a useful player in the future

There shouldn't be a taboo about making an honest assessment of a young player just because it isn't glowing praise, he's not good yet and it's not a big deal, I just won't lie about it

Be honest about the rest of the trash at the same time.

When he plays with quality people he looks fine, with the expected rookie clubs, when you put him in a bottom six role, he doesn't.

 

[LilLeeroy]

There was a two week stretch where Ferraro was arguably our best defenseman. What about the other 2 months?

If Ferraro were a 19 year old that would be totally fine.

 

[TheBeard]

If Ferraro were a 19 year old that would be totally fine.

The point being a good stretch shouldn't have precedence over the whole picture.

 

[CHALUPA]

Can’t we all just get along?

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Can’t we all just get along?

 

[CHALUPA]

 

[Star Platinum]

Didn’t you eat crow 3 weeks ago saying you were wrong and he should be in the NHL full time after his hot streak.

The only thing that has changed is the Sharks have had a brutal schedule in December. They have played playoff teams that are cup contenders. Smith has not been great the past few games but he has also still gotten chances in a few of those games.

If you think going to the AHL will build his confidence just imagine if your boss demoted you and cut your pay by 90% to build your confidence. His confidence would be hurt more by a demotion that by his poor play with the Sharks.

Smith is on track with his development. Patience is needed even if it hurts your bets.

The concern isn't with Smith, he's shown competence when played with functional linemates, the concern should be with Warso's ability to develop players.

I mean, I have some minor concerns about Smith now that I've seen what his abilities are, but I'm far more concerned that our coach is a poor man's Darryl Sutter wannabe.

 

[Star Platinum]

He is ready when given nhl talent, goodrow is not an nhl level talent any more. What you fail to see is that bringing up say graf who is killing it in the ahl offensively and defensively would bring just as much to this team as goodrow does. We do not need goodrows veteran leadership, as that is the only good trait he actually brings to an nhl game now.

The best smith and the entire team did, was the entire week or 2 that goodrow was injured. They were horrible before and instantly when he came back.

I liked this post so much that I liked both copies of it.

If you need premier partners and deployment to be effective then you are not an NHL player

He needs premier partners and deployment because he's a 19 year old rookie figuring it out.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

View attachment 951104

 

[CHALUPA]

I mean, I have some minor concerns about Smith now that I've seen what his abilities are, but I'm far more concerned that our coach is a poor man's Darryl Sutter wannabe.

Warsofsky has the team playing hard and effectively. A lot of people have brought up a losing culture and concerns that we’ll fall into it, but I think Warsofsky is one of the prime reasons I’m completely unconcerned about that this year.

TBH there are enough variables that go into a prospect’s development, that I think we’re worrying a bit too much about how Smith’s deployment is affecting his future. If he busts in a few years, I’m sure we’ll all be arguing about how and why, but I personally don’t think this year is a do-or-die type of situation for Smith

 

[Star Platinum]

Most of the possession stats show that smith is actually one of the top forwards on this team.

But he turns the puck over every once in a while like every other player on the team, even Celebrini. And he needs to be relegated to the land of no talented linemates to some how make him better offensively and defensively.

Regardless of what the stats say, I don't believe that Smith is one of the top forwards on the team and if that's true, it's probably because the guys behind him are almost exclusively the bottom 6 guys.

My position is it doesn't matter. He's part of the future of this team and so giving him a good environment to develop should be a top priority of the team. Unfortunately, our coach doesn't see it that way.

 

[Star Platinum]

Can’t we all just get along?

 

[Cas]

Warsofsky has the team playing hard and effectively. A lot of people have brought up a losing culture and concerns that we’ll fall into it, but I think Warsofsky is one of the prime reasons I’m completely unconcerned about that this year.

TBH there are enough variables that go into a prospect’s development, that I think we’re worrying a bit too much about how Smith’s deployment is affecting his future. If he busts in a few years, I’m sure we’ll all be arguing about how and why, but I personally don’t think this year is a do-or-die type of situation for Smith

In the end, people have no patience and just want to be angry.

 

[Barrie22]

Regardless of what the stats say, I don't believe that Smith is one of the top forwards on the team and if that's true, it's probably because the guys behind him are almost exclusively the bottom 6 guys.

My position is it doesn't matter. He's part of the future of this team and so giving him a good environment to develop should be a top priority of the team. Unfortunately, our coach doesn't see it that way.

I am not nor will i really ever say he is what the nhl stats show as him being the 4th best forward, but he is nhl capable but i do firmly believe he is one of the top 6-7 forwards on the team as of right now and more deserving of the power play time and bump up the roster when needed over goodrow who gets every one of those bump ups.

If kovalenko and kunin can keep up there current play away from celebrini then i think those 2 with smith could potentially work.

 

[coooldude]

I am not nor will i really ever say he is what the nhl stats show as him being the 4th best forward, but he is nhl capable but i do firmly believe he is one of the top 6-7 forwards on the team as of right now and more deserving of the power play time and bump up the roster when needed over goodrow who gets every one of those bump ups.

If kovalenko and kunin can keep up there current play away from celebrini then i think those 2 with smith could potentially work.

We should be on the Smith thread, but I'll agree he's one of the top 6-7 forwards in terms of raw skill and offensive creativity TODAY. unfortunately he's one of the bottom 1-3 in terms of winning puck battles, a consistent effective forecheck (sometimes he's effective) and general consistency and speed of play. It's a tough problem to solve for the coaching staff but honestly as I've said over and over again, I'm not worried basically no matter what they do. I'll be worried if he doesn't take an Eklund step next year.

 

[timorous me]

All I can say is that I hope Santa leaves some chill pills in some people's stockings this year.

 

[Patty Ice]

There was a two week stretch where Ferraro was arguably our best defenseman. What about the other 2 months?

He's 19! There's a difference.

He is learning to play in the NHL. He is too good for the AHL. There's no point for him being in the there, better he gets the growing pains out of the way now because, in case people aren't aware, the Sharks still suck. This is not a playoff contender. Sure if they were, he should earn his spot but, as it is, he is being counted as a major piece of the future. This season is a learning curve for him. If he's not doing what you want him to be doing at this level, this is why you keep playing him. He needs reps.

I think the reason that some are looking at him under a microscope is because Mack came in as that guy. Smith isn't at his level and it's apparent but he can play.

 

[TheBeard]

I think you’re confusing me with someone else. I’m not nor have been advocating for him to be sent down.

He's 19! There's a difference.

He is learning to play in the NHL. He is too good for the AHL. There's no point for him being in the there, better he gets the growing pains out of the way now because, in case people aren't aware, the Sharks still suck. This is not a playoff contender. Sure if they were, he should earn his spot but, as it is, he is being counted as a major piece of the future. This season is a learning curve for him. If he's not doing what you want him to be doing at this level, this is why you keep playing him. He needs reps.

I think the reason that some are looking at him under a microscope is because Mack came in as that guy. Smith isn't at his level and it's apparent but he can play.

 

[CHALUPA]

I think you’re confusing me with someone else. I’m not nor have been advocating for him to be sent down.

Sir, please stop shouting. I don’t care how many times you say it, we shall not send him down.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

I was five years old when that happened! I know some people on this forum absolutely love to brag about how ancient they are, but I don't think most of us have a clear recollection of Patrick Marleau as a rookie.

I'm probably the oldest person on here and I don't brag about it....and no I have no clear recollection of how Patty was as a rookie...but then again I don't have a real recollection of most of last week...

 

[one2gamble]

I'm probably the oldest person on here and I don't brag about it....and no I have no clear recollection of how Patty was as a rookie...but then again I don't have a real recollection of most of last week...

Ain't nobody have a clear anything from watching hockey ona tv in the 90s

 

[sampler]

Didn’t you eat crow 3 weeks ago saying you were wrong and he should be in the NHL full time after his hot streak.

The only thing that has changed is the Sharks have had a brutal schedule in December. They have played playoff teams that are cup contenders. Smith has not been great the past few games but he has also still gotten chances in a few of those games.

If you think going to the AHL will build his confidence just imagine if your boss demoted you and cut your pay by 90% to build your confidence. His confidence would be hurt more by a demotion that by his poor play with the Sharks.

Smith is on track with his development. Patience is needed even if it hurts your bets.

CRow takes like… well… crow.

Smith looked nhl ready for four games. I thought it was him turning a corner so I was ready to own that. However, he has regressed a lot since then.

I remember when Eklund was in his D+2 year and expected to be good but after 9 games it was clear he wasn’t there yet so he got sent back to Sweden. He was devastated and took a real hit.

The next year he came back and established himself and is now second on the team in scoring. I could see a similar pathway for smith. Yeah, he’d be bummed to be sent down and yeah he’d take a few hundred k pay cut. But he’s 19, so suck it up buttercup.

Being a #1 C playing 20 mins/net and #1 pp time with cuda will allow him to get physically stronger, work on his defensive game, less the turnovers, improve the decision making all against men but without the spotlight.

Whatever, it’s a moot point. Smith ain’t moving.

I do wonder if there is data on players being rushed to nhl vs marinated longer and how that affects long term production and careers.

 

[gaucholoco3]

Yeah, he’d be bummed to be sent down and yeah he’d take a few hundred k pay cut. But he’s 19, so suck it up buttercup.

Being a #1 C playing 20 mins/net and #1 pp time with cuda will allow him to get physically stronger, work on his defensive game, less the turnovers, improve the decision making all against men but without the spotlight.

I don’t think Smith would be the 1C on the Cuda over Pods. Smith has a game that needs high level players to play with. Playing with the Cuda will just lead to playing with even less skilled players than Goodrow.

It’s not hard play Smith with Granlund or Wenberg and Zetterlund or Kovalenko on the opposite wing.

On a separate note I don’t understand Warsofsky’s lines last game. He had is the best F1’s on a line together as the 3rd line and then no F1’s on either of the top 2 lines.

Zetterlund, Kovalenko, and Kunin need to play on 3 separate lines in the top 9. Each line needs an F1 to succeed.

 

[sampler]

I don’t think Smith would be the 1C on the Cuda over Pods. Smith has a game that needs high level players to play with. Playing with the Cuda will just lead to playing with even less skilled players than Goodrow.

It’s not hard play Smith with Granlund or Wenberg and Zetterlund or Kovalenko on the opposite wing.

On a separate note I don’t understand Warsofsky’s lines last game. He had is the best F1’s on a line together as the 3rd line and then no F1’s on either of the top 2 lines.

Zetterlund, Kovalenko, and Kunin need to play on 3 separate lines in the top 9. Each line needs an F1 to succeed.

If smith is worse than potaralaki, switch em. Call up pot and give smith 1c duties. He could learn how to take a face off down there too. And if he’s not even a 1c on the cuda, he sure ain’t ready to be a top 3C on the sharks.

I really don’t like rushing guys to the nhl. Not just smith but anyone. Celebrini is a very very exception, but in general I think minor league fine is so so valuable to ply your trade against men, solidify the details of the game, especially defensively (many guys coming from jrs or college dominated so much that they build bad habits they can get away with) and most importantly EARN your nhl opportunity.

Nearly every shark drafted star in the last 20 years spent time in the A. Pavs, cooch, nearly all of em. They had to prove their mettle…