Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Friday]

Was just coming here to post that. "Probably" is doing a lot of work in that sentence, but I'll choose to take it at face value. I think you absolutely have to do everything you can to get Smith at center long-term, as that was part of the justification for taking him over Michkov. I don't want to be one of those teams eternally searching for a 2C in their contention window--I think 2C is the third most important position on an NHL roster.

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
XXX-Wennberg-Graf

That's how I see our top-9 shaking out. Celebrini line takes shutdown matchups, Wennberg/Graf takes second matchups, Smith is sheltered a bit. Gotta hunt down some wingers this summer to make this work. But the makings of a solid top-9 are there.

I don’t love separating Mack and Smith because they have a lot of chemistry. Butttt who knows maybe MG can find the right FA or trade to get Smith a winger / center that fits. Next year is still a growth year so whatever maybe it’s a good one to let Will take his licks and learn

 

[pappaf2]

Like when my kids ask for something and I tell them, “we’ll see.”

 

[Juxtaposer]

I don’t love separating Mack and Smith because they have a lot of chemistry. Butttt who knows maybe MG can find the right FA or trade to get Smith a winger / center that fits. Next year is still a growth year so whatever maybe it’s a good one to let Will take his licks and learn

I get the chemistry, but you need a 2C more than that. They'll still play on the PP together and I'm sure in the playoffs/crunch time you'll see them together at evens like Crosby/Malkin or McDavid/Draisatil.

 

[Gecklund]

Was just coming here to post that. "Probably" is doing a lot of work in that sentence, but I'll choose to take it at face value. I think you absolutely have to do everything you can to get Smith at center long-term, as that was part of the justification for taking him over Michkov. I don't want to be one of those teams eternally searching for a 2C in their contention window--I think 2C is the third most important position on an NHL roster.

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
XXX-Wennberg-Graf

That's how I see our top-9 shaking out. Celebrini line takes shutdown matchups, Wennberg/Graf takes second matchups, Smith is sheltered a bit. Gotta hunt down some wingers this summer to make this work. But the makings of a solid top-9 are there.

I wonder how much of this is because of the absolute lack of Cs out there and how many teams want one. Like realistically sharks aren’t even going to be able to bring in a Wennberg level C. I wonder if Colorado could look to dump Colton this offseason. I’d love him on Smith’s wing.

 

[Patty Ice]

I get the chemistry, but you need a 2C more than that. They'll still play on the PP together and I'm sure in the playoffs/crunch time you'll see them together at evens like Crosby/Malkin or McDavid/Draisatil.

That is why Hagens makes sense to draft at 3. Keeps those together and Hagens makes for a better 2C than Smith anyways.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I wonder how much of this is because of the absolute lack of Cs out there and how many teams want one. Like realistically sharks aren’t even going to be able to bring in a Wennberg level C. I wonder if Colorado could look to dump Colton this offseason. I’d love him on Smith’s wing.

Probably none. You have to do the most to make Smith a long-term center, totally regardless of your goals next season.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Next year might be the last season where the stakes don't matter, and prospects can go through all the growing pains you want.

If you wait until 2026-2027 to bring over Dickinson and Musty while trying to make the playoffs, those rookie-year stumbles could be costly.

 

[weastern bias]

*whispers*i've always thought smith was a winger at the NHL level so we definitely still need to try to add top-6 center talent*stops whispering*

 

[MackAttack71]

I get the chemistry, but you need a 2C more than that. They'll still play on the PP together and I'm sure in the playoffs/crunch time you'll see them together at evens like Crosby/Malkin or McDavid/Draisatil.

Exactly this. Wanted also to name McDavid and Drai as an good example how to handle this "problem"

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I think the ideal target for the Sharks is Brock Nelson up front but he's going to have lots of teams to decide between.

 

[coooldude]

*whispers*i've always thought smith was a winger at the NHL level so we definitely still need to try to add top-6 center talent*stops whispering*

*Shouts indiscriminately* I agree, but it sounds like Grier doesn't *continues shouting*

 

[timorous me]

I think the ideal target for the Sharks is Brock Nelson up front but he's going to have lots of teams to decide between.

Yeah, I see him as the type that playoff/Cup contenders will be all over, particularly with the increasing cap. To me, as good as he is, I don't know if Grier should even bother to waste time and effort on Nelson.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Yeah, I see him as the type that playoff/Cup contenders will be all over, particularly with the increasing cap. To me, as good as he is, I don't know if Grier should even bother to waste time and effort on Nelson.

I would certainly ask what the terms are looking like for him. Anything in the 4-5 year range should be worth exhausting.

 

[weastern bias]

*Shouts indiscriminately* I agree, but it sounds like Grier doesn't *continues shouting*

 

[Yummyshark]

Smith himself said in his exit interview that he still wants to be a center, and that playing wing was just about helping him learn the game. IMO you gotta give him the chance to prove he can be the 2C. If we end up with a center in the draft (quite likely), then you figure it out then and have Smith and Misa/Hagens/whoever compete for the 2C slot, or run a hybrid where both do aspects of both, which is something we've done in the past when we had Marleau, Couture, and Pavs all taking turns playing both C and W. In the future you could also put all three of them as C and run 3 scoring lines too, similar to the Crosby - Malkin - Staal days.

 

[Friday]

I personally still dont think Smith has the board play and motor to be a high end 2C. But he has the IQ and his growth this year proves that it's totally possible he gets there and I won't count it out. If the Sharks draft Schaefer / Martone its clear that Smith should be the 2C but if its Misa then it gets more interesting

 

[hohosaregood]

I personally still dont think Smith has the board play and motor to be a high end 2C. But he has the IQ and his growth this year proves that it's totally possible he gets there and I won't count it out. If the Sharks draft Schaefer / Martone its clear that Smith should be the 2C but if its Misa then it gets more interesting

At least not for next season but in the last couple games, I actually thought he was looking pretty mobile when he needed to be. I think the board play will get there with another season or two of weight training. I feel like he hasn't exactly been getting outmuscled in his recent board battles, just more of him losing his footing. I doubt he's ever going to be a high pace player like Celebrini or Eklund though. Just doesn't seem like his style of play.

 

[Friday]

At least not for next season but in the last couple games, I actually thought he was looking pretty mobile when he needed to be. I think the board play will get there with another season or two of weight training. I feel like he hasn't exactly been getting outmuscled in his recent board battles, just more of him losing his footing. I doubt he's ever going to be a high pace player like Celebrini or Eklund though. Just doesn't seem like his style of play.

He had bursts that made me believe it's possible. He doesn't have that high energy play but im fine with it if he's playing smart. Only going to get better as his stamina and size increase

 

[Jts4thgoal]

If you listen to Warzo's media availability, he talked about player development and who he thought guys like Mack, Smith, and Thrun should be watching and he only gave examples of American players. Dude needs to check his bias.

 

[timorous me]

At least not for next season but in the last couple games, I actually thought he was looking pretty mobile when he needed to be. I think the board play will get there with another season or two of weight training. I feel like he hasn't exactly been getting outmuscled in his recent board battles, just more of him losing his footing. I doubt he's ever going to be a high pace player like Celebrini or Eklund though. Just doesn't seem like his style of play.

Smith surprised me more and more as the season went on. He'd get into board battles where he seemed like he was going to clearly lose, but his smarts and stick work meant he'd actually quite often squirt the puck out in a way that allowed the Sharks to retain possession.

So not exactly winning puck battles the way one might expect, but getting the job done in other ways. His craftiness and hockey IQ come into play in a lot of ways and could be the keys to him succeeding at 2C long-term, even though I do like how he started to develop a scorer's mentality on the wing.

 

[pavelskiTips]

If you listen to Warzo's media availability, he talked about player development and who he thought guys like Mack, Smith, and Thrun should be watching and he only gave examples of American players. Dude needs to check his bias.

Warsofsky is the USA Worlds head coach. I'm sure those players were just top of mind because it's his job to coach some of them.

 

[OrrNumber4]

How can you look at Smith's season, where, as a 19-year-old rookie, he scored at nearly a 50-point pace, and not get excited? He also had a fantastic second half.

The future is looking very bright for him. Forget talking about if he can be a #2C; if he can figure out the peculiarities of the center position, he could be an elite center.

 

[DarrylshutzSydor]

Need a number one center, Can't make Cellebrini play another season against the other teams best as #1. Try to get Granlund back to suit up as #1 center allowing Cellebrini to breathe. He was dead after Granlund left.

 

[Jargon]

Need a number one center, Can't make Cellebrini play another season against the other teams best as #1. Try to get Granlund back to suit up as #1 center allowing Cellebrini to breathe. He was dead after Granlund left.

I’m really not concerned about Celebrini, the teenager who is a gym rat with a pro trainer dad, he was worn out by the end of the season but i think he’ll be fine next year.

I think much more importantly we either need a 2C or one or 2 top 6 vets who can help Will transition to center. I would absolutely re-sign Granlund.

 

[Star Platinum]

Need a number one center, Can't make Cellebrini play another season against the other teams best as #1. Try to get Granlund back to suit up as #1 center allowing Cellebrini to breathe. He was dead after Granlund left.