Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Hodge]

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…

None of them had the leverage of a 4th overall pick playing college hockey in the era of Cutter Gauthier and Rutger McGroarty.

 

[weastern bias]

None of them had the leverage of a 4th overall pick playing college hockey in the era of Cutter Gauthier and Rutger McGroarty.

2 guys who had not yet signed their pro contracts, that's where the leverage came from, Smith already had, the situations aren't comparable

 

[Hodge]

2 guys who had not yet signed their pro contracts, that's where the leverage came from, Smith already had, the situations aren't comparable

Smith was obviously promised he wouldn't be sent down to the AHL in order to incentivize him to sign.

I know you're once again going to say the Sharks should just renege on that promise but that's not how you run a professional organization.

 

[mogambomoroo]

Between 2023-2027 there will be like 4 franchise talents in Bedard, Celebrini, McKenna and Dupont. Teams that get one of them are in very good position, but if a team gets two of them it's a homerun.

I hope Sharks are not statistically top 5 in 2026 McKenna and 2027 Dupont, but it would definitely be helpful to get lucky or be bad then.

If either McKenna or Dupont were draft eligible this year, it would be another tank season for sure.

 

[weastern bias]

Smith was obviously promised he wouldn't be sent down to the AHL in order to incentivize him to sign.

I know you're once again going to say the Sharks should just renege on that promise but that's not how you run a professional organization.

You constantly insist there was a promise made with no evidence or proof, it is up to you to prove a promise was made before someone should accept it as fact

 

[Hodge]

You constantly insist there was a promise made with no evidence or proof, it is up to you to prove a promise was made before someone should accept it as fact

No one is going to come out and admit it but his agent came pretty close in an interview on Sheng Peng's podcast:

"My perspective is that the team that he was on [Boston College] would be a really good team in the AHL"

"I would use the word expectation as opposed to agreement but I think that's fair" in response to Sheng suggesting Smith wouldn't have signed if the Sharks didn't agree he was going to spend the season in the NHL

Will Smith’s Agent Takes Us Inside Decision To Sign With Sharks

Will Smith’s agent, Sean Coffey, joins the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast! Coffey takes us behind the scenes of Smith signing with the San Jose Sharks this past week. But before we get to Coffey (44:15), we talk about what Smith’s arrival means for the Sharks. We’ll talk more to Coffey about this —...

sanjosehockeynow.com

Anyway, promise or not, it remains ridiculous to suggest Smith should be sent to the Cuda. He's putting up almost identical scoring numbers to Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli while averaging 2:30 fewer minutes per game.

 

[Celly4Celebrini]

You constantly insist there was a promise made with no evidence or proof, it is up to you to prove a promise was made before someone should accept it as fact

sometimes you need to use common sense. If Smith thought he would be in the AHL, he'd be at BC right now.

Also Smith looked really out of place until this time last year in college, then he got used to the speed of the game and excelled. Have some patience with him

 

[weastern bias]

No one is going to come out and admit it but his agent came pretty close in an interview on Sheng Peng's podcast:

This is still extrapolation and conjecture

Anyway, promise or not, it remains ridiculous to suggest Smith should be sent to the Cuda. He's putting up almost identical scoring numbers to Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli while averaging 2:30 fewer minutes per game.

I am not suggesting that he be sent to the AHL, I am suggesting that he is not a quality NHL contributor at this moment, I don't have a solution for what his best path forward is, if I did I might not be posting about this on the internet and could be using that understanding in a greater capacity, lol

sometimes you need to use common sense. If Smith thought he would be in the AHL, he'd be at BC right now.

Also Smith looked really out of place until this time last year in college, then he got used to the speed of the game and excelled. Have some patience with him

I am being patient, I have repeatedly said that it's not a big deal that he isn't a good NHL player yet, just that I won't pretend like he is one

1st ballot HOFer Joe Thornton wasn't a good NHL player until his 20s, it's normal for teenagers to be out of their depth, it's not a big deal

 

[Hodge]

I don't have a solution for what his best path forward is, if I did I might not be posting about this on the internet and could be using that understanding in a greater capacity, lol

So maybe we should trust the professionals in charge of his development?

 

[weastern bias]

So maybe we should trust the professionals in charge of his development?

Professionals, notably, never make mistakes

I have no opinion on how the team is handling Smith, my opinions are strictly related to his quality of play, I still believe he will turn into a positive contributor in the future, even if I still don't think he's a center in the league long term

 

[jarr92]

This is still extrapolation and conjecture

His agent and the Sharks have given all the evidence needed other than straight out saying Smith was guaranteed a spot after signing. They’re not going to say that because it would make Smith look bad. The situation is pretty obvious.

 

[Star Platinum]

So maybe we should trust the professionals in charge of his development?

 

[Hodge]

I think I'd be fine with selling off all our pending UFAs (or as many of them as other teams want) at the trade deadline provided we:

-Sign a Granlund replacement in free agency
-Trade futures for a younger Ceci replacement
-Feel confident Graf or Musty (or the 1st round pick) can play top nine minutes next season

I'd prefer to extend Kunin so we don't have to rely on a forward prospect making the team and only need to fill one top nine forward position via UFA/trade.

Bystedt should be able to take over the 4C job from Sturm and Rutta can be replaced internally based on what Mukhamadullin is showing.

 

[gaucholoco3]

I would be happy to extend Granlund, Kunin, or Ceci, but if they are not willing to agree to an extension before the deadline then they should all be dealt. Granlund and Ceci need to be replaced as a top 6 FW and top 4 RD.

I think Kunin could be replaced internally but not as effectively.

I would actually like to see the top 6 DW to be a skilled F1 type that can play with Smith. I don’t know if that player exists other than Rantanen, who might be to expensive but would be a great wing for Smith.

 

[The Nemesis]

I think I'd be fine with selling off all our pending UFAs (or as many of them as other teams want) at the trade deadline provided we:

-Sign a Granlund replacement in free agency
-Trade futures for a younger Ceci replacement
-Feel confident Graf or Musty (or the 1st round pick) can play top nine minutes next season

I'd prefer to extend Kunin so we don't have to rely on a forward prospect making the team and only need to fill one top nine forward position via UFA/trade.

Bystedt should be able to take over the 4C job from Sturm and Rutta can be replaced internally based on what Mukhamadullin is showing.

Rutta can be replaced by what a cone shows during practice drills.

 

[karltonian]

-Sign a Granlund replacement in free agency

such as?

 

[themelkman]

Zero reason to extend any of those guys, we can get assets for taking equivalent guys on one year deals from other teams.

 

[Star Platinum]

such as?

Nikolaj Ehlers?

 

[karltonian]

Nikolaj Ehlers?

not a center though?

 

[Star Platinum]

not a center though?

We need another scoring wing more than we need another C. Either Will Smith is second line center next year or if he's still a wing they can play Wennberg as 2C like they have often done this year.

Plus if the Sharks are drafting top 4, there's a 50% chance they're drafting a C.