Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[weastern bias]

What's the expectation for Graf's future?

50 point 2 way winger? 2nd liner? Higher or lower?

Torrey Mitchell clone

 

[pappaf2]

Torrey Mitchell clone

I always liked Torrey but I think Graf has more skill. Plus he’s a larger human

 

[coooldude]

In the interest of being realistic, I'd be thrilled if he were a 45 point third line winger with heavy PK utility that is skilled enough for spot duty in the top-6 when needed.

Zetterlund, but defensively aware.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Zetterlund, but defensively aware.

Zetterlund, but good defensively/on the PK instead of physical and a better playmaker than goalscorer. So a Zetterlund-caliber player that plays nothing like Zetterlund.

I'm so glad we got Graf for free. I just like him and think he's neat.

 

[WSS11]

Torrey Mitchell clone

Torrey Mitchell with hands.

 

[TheBeard]

You're probably right about Marchment. Maybe throw in Colorado's or even our own 2026 2nd?

I figure Utah is set on the right side for a while with Durzi, Kesselring and Marino. Maybe they're better off using Lamoureux in a trade for an established NHL center but this feels like good value for him. He's not exactly killing it in the AHL.

For some reason I thought all of Durzi, Kesser and Marino were on the wrong side of 30. Wild Marino is only 27

 

[Jargon]

I was just wondering if there are any unsigned college guys like Graf this year with any buzz? Especially defensemen.

 

[ChompChomp]

I was just wondering if there are any unsigned college guys like Graf this year with any buzz? Especially defensemen.

Funny you mention that, I was thinking Grier might push hard to sign Caleb MacDonald, although he's a LHD. 6'3", 224 lbs.

Doesn't excite me though.

 

[pappaf2]

Funny you mention that, I was thinking Grier might push hard to sign Caleb MacDonald, although he's a LHD. 6'3", 224 lbs.

Doesn't excite me though.

Here’s a blurb from the HockeyNews:

Future Watch: Eight NCAA Free Agents NHL Teams Should Follow

For years now, we've seen lackluster returns from NCAA free agents in the NHL.

thehockeynews.com

Caleb MacDonald​

D, 22, North Dakota (NCHC)
MacDonald is a 6-foot-3, 224-pound defenseman who blocks shots and plays a tough game. It’s not a strong year for free-agent blueliners, which means he has been in demand. Coming out of the Alberta Jr. A League, he wasn’t afraid to fight, and though there are no fisticuffs in college hockey, it’s good to know he has that in his back pocket.

 

[hohosaregood]

I was just wondering if there are any unsigned college guys like Graf this year with any buzz? Especially defensemen.

Maybe Jake Livanavage just based on the stats.

 

[STL Shark]

Torrey Mitchell clone

Thinking more like rookie year Melker, but doesn't have to be stapled to Thornton/Pavs to rack up points.

 

[Patty Ice]

Zetterlund, but defensively aware.

Graf probably helped why Grier was willing to listen on and ultimately trade Zetterlund.

I was just wondering if there are any unsigned college guys like Graf this year with any buzz? Especially defensemen.

Luke Haymes is the prize this year. 3C type.

 

[pappaf2]

Graf probably helped why Grier was willing to listen on and ultimately trade Zetterlund.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I was just wondering if there are any unsigned college guys like Graf this year with any buzz? Especially defensemen.

EP put out their annual NCAA FA list, highest RHD is CJ Foley, who is a Boyle style defenseman (NOT saying he's that good, just that he's a smallish offensive guy). They say he's dynamic and could be a Sam Malinski caliber player. Worth a shot.

Top guy of the class is center Luke Haymes, but he doesn't seem like a guy we need.

 

[Pavelski2112]

EP put out their annual NCAA FA list, highest RHD is CJ Foley, who is a Boyle style defenseman (NOT saying he's that good, just that he's a smallish offensive guy). They say he's dynamic and could be a Sam Malinski caliber player. Worth a shot.

Top guy of the class is center Luke Haymes, but he doesn't seem like a guy we need.

inb4 Hodge

 

[Kcoyote3]

inb4 Hodge

That smurf needs to be repairing children’s slides and getting workers out of collapsed mines, not playing hockey. Honestly he should feel bad about attempting to play hockey at his size. I am going to make it my personal responsibility to remind all of you that he cannot succeed because of this.

 

[Cas]

That smurf needs to be repairing children’s slides and getting workers out of collapsed mines, not playing hockey. Honestly he should feel bad about attempting to play hockey at his size. I am going to make it my personal responsibility to remind all of you that he cannot succeed because of this.

Those chimneys aren't going to sweep themselves.

 

[Star Platinum]

Torrey Mitchell clone

I hope not

 

[Star Platinum]

Here’s a blurb from the HockeyNews:

Future Watch: Eight NCAA Free Agents NHL Teams Should Follow

For years now, we've seen lackluster returns from NCAA free agents in the NHL.

thehockeynews.com

Caleb MacDonald​

D, 22, North Dakota (NCHC)
MacDonald is a 6-foot-3, 224-pound defenseman who blocks shots and plays a tough game. It’s not a strong year for free-agent blueliners, which means he has been in demand. Coming out of the Alberta Jr. A League, he wasn’t afraid to fight, and though there are no fisticuffs in college hockey, it’s good to know he has that in his back pocket.

For a second I misread this and thought it said 324 pound defenseman and then thought how cool that would be.

 

[wraith985]

I would pay good money to watch an offensive lineman on skates.

 

[coooldude]

I would pay good money to watch an offensive lineman on skates.

Maybe a long snapper? 6'4" 243lbs

Artyom Vilchinsky - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Artyom Vilchinsky, 2006-09-16 Vladivostok, RUS Russia. Most recently in the MHL with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[cheechoo]

Conservative offseason plan that at least still makes it appear like we're trying to improve:

Trade:
-OTT 2nd for Mason Marchment (Dallas is in a cap crunch, we can either extend Marchment or recoup the pick at the deadline)
-EDM 1st and Bystedt for Maveric Lamoureux (Likely an overpay but need to give Utah a reason to move him, they get a big C prospect to replace Geekie and a trade chip to improve the NHL roster)

Sign (rounding up AFP's "worst tax state" projections):
-Dante Fabbro 3x4M
-Alex Iafallo 3x4M
-Nick Bjugstad 2x4.5M
-Alex Lyon 2x2M

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Marchment-Wennberg-Smith
Iafallo-Bjugstad-Graf
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Dellandrea
Grundstrom

Ferraro-Fabbro
Mukhamadullin-Liljegren
Thrun-Desharnais
Vlasic

Askarov
Lyon

If my math is right this comes out to around 74M against a 70M floor factoring in the dead cap hits and Couture. Defense is still terrible and overall the roster is probably worse on paper than what we started with this season but hopefully Celebrini, Smith, Askarov, Mukhamadullin and Eklund will take steps forward and drive an improvement in the standings. If they don't we end up with one of the top 2026 prospects while still keeping most of our powder dry to take bigger swings next summer.

Really like these moves, especially Fabbro, Marchment and Bjugstad (at that term).

Could we trade the DAL 1st instead of the EDM 1st? Would much rather retain assets in a far better class.

Also hilarious to see you jampacking any and all 6'4 and above players you can find into that line-up.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Conservative offseason plan that at least still makes it appear like we're trying to improve:

Trade:
-OTT 2nd for Mason Marchment (Dallas is in a cap crunch, we can either extend Marchment or recoup the pick at the deadline)
-EDM 1st and Bystedt for Maveric Lamoureux (Likely an overpay but need to give Utah a reason to move him, they get a big C prospect to replace Geekie and a trade chip to improve the NHL roster)

Sign (rounding up AFP's "worst tax state" projections):
-Dante Fabbro 3x4M
-Alex Iafallo 3x4M
-Nick Bjugstad 2x4.5M
-Alex Lyon 2x2M

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Marchment-Wennberg-Smith
Iafallo-Bjugstad-Graf
Goodrow-Ostapchuk-Dellandrea
Grundstrom

Ferraro-Fabbro
Mukhamadullin-Liljegren
Thrun-Desharnais
Vlasic

Askarov
Lyon

If my math is right this comes out to around 74M against a 70M floor factoring in the dead cap hits and Couture. Defense is still terrible and overall the roster is probably worse on paper than what we started with this season but hopefully Celebrini, Smith, Askarov, Mukhamadullin and Eklund will take steps forward and drive an improvement in the standings. If they don't we end up with one of the top 2026 prospects while still keeping most of our powder dry to take bigger swings next summer.

I like the plans but I don’t think Fabbro is going to hit UFA. I like the idea of Bystedt and a first for Lam but wonder if they’re more in an improvement stage rather than stockpile stage. But similar moves can be made all around the league and they fit the Sharks.

 

[Patty Ice]

Top guy of the class is center Luke Haymes, but he doesn't seem like a guy we need.

He's basically the center version of Graf. He was a small dude in his draft year (which caused him to be undrafted) that had a late growth spurt. Doesn't have one standout trait but does a lot of things very well.

 

[pappaf2]

He's basically the center version of Graf. He was a small dude in his draft year (which caused him to be undrafted) that had a late growth spurt. Doesn't have one standout trait but does a lot of things very well.

So sign him and use him as a trade chip in a package after he has some development?