Speculation: 2023-24-25 Sharks Roster Discussion

[Pinkfloyd]

There is a weird part of me that doesnt really care who we sign, as long as they are 1 yr deals. If Nelson would come at 1 yr 7M, go for it.

It feels as if this year remains a fully developmental year, rather than a PO competitive year. if that's true, then the best thing grier can do is fill the roster with quality vets who will have high trade values at the deadline. This does not mean guys like kunin, who is next to worthless, but instead quality guys that will have a market in March for their serices.

to-be-UFAs: R Smith got Brisson and a 3rd rounder. Nelson got basically 2 1st rounders (a 1st and Richie). marchand got a 2nd. Dumoulin got a 2nd.

If the sharks can get anywhere near those kind of returns at the TDL next year, it's a huge win. At this point, it feels like cap space for quality placeholders and picks remains the potentially best strategy, but keeping full flexibility going into summer '26 is a priority as I can imagine that we will know what we have in house with cherny, musty, dick, '25 pick (misa or schaefer), etc and we'll know what holes we need to fill too, all while owning half the '26 draft, and being able to project well the '26 top pick target.

One more year of pick accumulation.

It's going to be difficult to procure quality veterans to a one year deal in free agency. You typically will have to trade for those. The ones worth their salt are still going to get three or four year deals in free agency.

 

[TheBeard]

There is a weird part of me that doesnt really care who we sign, as long as they are 1 yr deals. If Nelson would come at 1 yr 7M, go for it.

It feels as if this year remains a fully developmental year, rather than a PO competitive year. if that's true, then the best thing grier can do is fill the roster with quality vets who will have high trade values at the deadline. This does not mean guys like kunin, who is next to worthless, but instead quality guys that will have a market in March for their serices.

to-be-UFAs: R Smith got Brisson and a 3rd rounder. Nelson got basically 2 1st rounders (a 1st and Richie). marchand got a 2nd. Dumoulin got a 2nd.

If the sharks can get anywhere near those kind of returns at the TDL next year, it's a huge win. At this point, it feels like cap space for quality placeholders and picks remains the potentially best strategy, but keeping full flexibility going into summer '26 is a priority as I can imagine that we will know what we have in house with cherny, musty, dick, '25 pick (misa or schaefer), etc and we'll know what holes we need to fill too, all while owning half the '26 draft, and being able to project well the '26 top pick target.

One more year of pick accumulation.

Having a couple extra 3rds in 2026 isn’t worth tanking a full season.

Also, no one worth their salt is gonna sign here for a year. Those kinda deals are reserved for guys who don’t have other options and need an opportunity to prove they can be productive. I’m not really interested in going that route for a third straight year.

 

[weastern bias]

I think Mike's big target is going to be Sam Bennett

Big, mean POS who can play center or wing, has winning pedigree and can help show the kids what it takes to get the edge in close games

I wouldn't be shocked if we throw stupid money at him that will look ugly in the long term, but will pay dividends in the short term and will provide mentorship for our core pieces

Florida will go pretty far to keep him, he's super important to that team, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Mike throw an irresponsible deal his way to make it hard for him to pass up

I don't think it's a great idea, but if Mike gives Bennett $9Mx7Y I think he signs, and it will probably be a better move based on our team needs than signing Marner for the $15Mx7Y it would take to get him to even look our way

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

I think Mike's big target is going to be Sam Bennett

Big, mean POS who can play center or wing, has winning pedigree and can help show the kids what it takes to get the edge in close games

I wouldn't be shocked if we throw stupid money at him that will look ugly in the long term, but will pay dividends in the short term and will provide mentorship for our core pieces

Florida will go pretty far to keep him, he's super important to that team, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Mike throw an irresponsible deal his way to make it hard for him to pass up

I don't think it's a great idea, but if Mike gives Bennett $9Mx7Y I think he signs, and it will probably be a better move based on our team needs than signing Marner for the $15Mx7Y it would take to get him to even look our way

Grier already said he’s not handing out 7 year contracts, which means Marner is out I could see Bennett at 4year at 9 mill per season

 

[Hodge]

Grier already said he’s not handing out 7 year contracts, which means Marner is out I could see Bennett at 4year at 9 mill per season

He didn't say that. He actually specifically said there's a possibility he will offer 6+ year contracts this offseason.

 

[vortexx]

Woah now that’s kind of interesting if true. I think he has some potential, I guess he likes the fact that his buddy Askarov is on the team now.

He was the guy we traded for in the Ozzy deal but he went to the KHL instead because he wanted a guaranteed NHL spot apparently

 

[ChompChomp]

Woah now that’s kind of interesting if true. I think he has some potential, I guess he likes the fact that his buddy Askarov is on the team now.

He was the guy we traded for in the Ozzy deal but he went to the KHL instead because he wanted a guaranteed NHL spot apparently

Shocked to see this news! Pretty cool! He didn't light up the KHL this season, but given his season in 23-24 in the A, he deserves a chance to compete for an NHL spot. He's 6'3", so you know Grier will give him a legit shot to make the NHL team next season.

 

[Sharksfan66]

It's going to be difficult to procure quality veterans to a one year deal in free agency. You typically will have to trade for those. The ones worth their salt are still going to get three or four year deals in free agency.

I wonder if you could pitch a guy like Tavares....you're good and will be able to earn a big contract after this one no problem. But what you don't have is a cup. So come play for us for 1 year, make a ton of money and I will trade you to whatever team you want at the deadline 50% retained.

If I'm Taveres, I see this as a way better chance at a cup than trying to pick a winner before the season starts and locking in with them for multiple years. This way you get multiple kicks at the can, can make a more informed choice as you see the season playing out, and you make more money. Win. Win. Win.

 

[coooldude]

He didn't say that. He actually specifically said there's a possibility he will offer 6+ year contracts this offseason.

Honestly! I don't get why people can't get their heads around this. Last year he said nothing more than 4 years. This year he said he'd prefer 4-5 years but said he wouldn't rule out longer, and specifically said "I'm not going to sign 3 guys to 7 year deals and then regret two of them in a few years". So I think taking 1 big swing is well within his vision this year.

 

[TheBeard]

Honestly! I don't get why people can't get their heads around this. Last year he said nothing more than 4 years. This year he said he'd prefer 4-5 years but said he wouldn't rule out longer, and specifically said "I'm not going to sign 3 guys to 7 year deals and then regret two of them in a few years". So I think taking 1 big swing is well within his vision this year.

I honestly don’t see anyone in this crop of FA worth giving 7 years to.

 

[Hodge]

I honestly don’t see anyone in this crop of FA worth giving 7 years to.

Nobody in the NHL over the age of 23 is "worth" giving 7 years to but that's the cost of doing business if you want to add top of the lineup players in free agency.

 

[TheBeard]

Nobody in the NHL over the age of 23 is "worth" giving 7 years to but that's the cost of doing business if you want to add top of the lineup players in free agency.

I get that, but I think my point is more I don't think any of the FAs available this season are worth going against the grain and giving a max contract to. Some years are better than others. For example, I'd rather give Kyle Conner a max deal next year even though he's two years older than Marner.

 

[Hodge]

I get that, but I think my point is more I don't think any of the FAs available this season are worth going against the grain and giving a max contract to. Some years are better than others. For example, I'd rather give Kyle Conner a max deal next year even though he's two years older than Marner.

Why? Connor is a one-dimensional cherry picker. He's the Phil Kessel of his generation. It's easy to hate on Marner but he's consistently one of the best offensive AND defensive forwards in the league. If anyone is worth overpaying in dollar and term to acquire asset-free it's him.

 

[TheBeard]

Why? Connor is a one-dimensional cherry picker. He's the Phil Kessel of his generation. It's easy to hate on Marner but he's consistently one of the best offensive AND defensive forwards in the league. If anyone is worth overpaying in dollar and term to acquire asset-free it's him.

If we're signing Marner long term, the expectation is he'll be a prominent factor in the years we're in our prime window. He's had numerous chances to show he can elevate his game in the playoffs. He's not that guy and I'm not interested in paying him 13-14 a year to someone who can't elevate their game when it's needed, whether for his team or for his own personal financial gains.

 

[Hodge]

If we're signing Marner long term, the expectation is he'll be a prominent factor in the years we're in our prime window. He's had numerous chances to show he can elevate his game in the playoffs. He's not that guy and I'm not interested in paying him 13-14 a year to someone who can't elevate their game when it's needed, whether for his team or for his own personal financial gains.

IMO the only forwards who are better than Marner right now are McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov, Kaprizov, Rantanen, Barkov and M Tkachuk. You can argue Matthews and Draisaitl are more valuable due to position but Marner is a more well rounded player than both. Who knows how much longer that will be the case but I don't see any reason why his game would age poorly.

If we have a chance to add a player of that stature without giving up anything it would be stupid not to do it. I don't care what Marner's playoff stats are. The far more important consideration for the Sharks right now is that getting Celebrini a superstar 100 point linemate will be a huge boon for his development and increase the likelihood he will sign an 8 year extension with us after his ELC.

 

[TheBeard]

IMO the only forwards who are better than Marner right now are McDavid, MacKinnon, Kucherov, Kaprizov, Rantanen, Barkov and M Tkachuk. You can argue Matthews and Draisaitl are more valuable due to position but Marner is a more well rounded player than both. Who knows how much longer that will be the case but I don't see any reason why his game would age poorly.

If we have a chance to add a player of that stature without giving up anything it would be stupid not to do it. I don't care what Marner's playoff stats are. The far more important consideration for the Sharks right now is that getting Celebrini a superstar 100 point linemate will be a huge boon for his development and increase the likelihood he will sign an 8 year extension with us after his ELC.

If you're signing Marner you're ultimately moving on from Eklund. It also depends on how the draft shakes out. I do very much care about his playoff stats because the last thing this organization needs is another top-loaded group that can't find a higher gear come playoff time.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

He didn't say that. He actually specifically said there's a possibility he will offer 6+ year contracts this offseason.

No he didn’t he specifically said we are not looking to give out long term contracts

 

[Hodge]

If you're signing Marner you're ultimately moving on from Eklund. It also depends on how the draft shakes out. I do very much care about his playoff stats because the last thing this organization needs is another top-loaded group that can't find a higher gear come playoff time.

I get that but we're so far away from making the playoffs that it's just outweighed by the immediate benefits of adding Marner. Also he absolutely showed up in the biggest moments at Four Nations. The Leafs might just be cursed.

Celebrini, Marner, Smith, Misa/Schaefer and Askarov is a hell of a core to build around. We'd probably be done with the acquiring high-end talent portion of the rebuild and can move on to adding size and defense.

 

[Hodge]

No he didn’t he specifically said we are not looking to give out long term contracts

Why Sharks could entertain trade offers for potential No. 1 draft pick

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier explained why San Jose would be willing entertain trade offers for the No. 1 overall pick if San Jose wins its second consecutive NHL Draft lottery.

www.nbcsportsbayarea.com

Would he go past five years this off-season?

“I guess there's a possibility of it,” Grier said. “I think it's still not something I'm excited to do—to hand out, you know, seven- or eight-year deals or anything like that.”

It will likely take the maximum seven or eight years to lure a Marner.

“I'd still like to keep it more in the short to mid-term range, if possible,” Grier said.

That’s not a no, but it sounds like it.

 

[TheBeard]

I get that but we're so far away from making the playoffs that it's just outweighed by the immediate benefits of adding Marner. Also he absolutely showed up in the biggest moments at Four Nations. The Leafs might just be cursed.

Celebrini, Marner, Smith, Misa/Schaefer and Askarov is a hell of a core to build around. We'd probably be done with the acquiring high-end talent portion of the rebuild and can move on to adding size and defense.

I'd say if this were next year's conundrum (Marner) I would be a little more open to the idea, but right now there's just too much optimistic uncertainty with this core. I'm personally more in favor of 3-5 year deals for the time.

If the Leafs are cursed, then who's to say we aren't with the core we had that couldn't get it done?

 

[Hodge]

I'd say if this were next year's conundrum (Marner) I would be a little more open to the idea, but right now there's just too much optimistic uncertainty with this core. I'm personally more in favor of 3-5 year deals for the time.

If the Leafs are cursed, then who's to say we aren't with the core we had that couldn't get it done?

How does wanting to sign Marner next summer but not this one make any sense? What's the difference?

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

If you're signing Marner you're ultimately moving on from Eklund. It also depends on how the draft shakes out. I do very much care about his playoff stats because the last thing this organization needs is another top-loaded group that can't find a higher gear come playoff time.

That's the problem. Eklund and Marner aren't comparable. Smith is far more comparable to Marner since he's essentially the Temu version of him. If Grier signed Marner and traded Smith for a better piece, that may be acceptable. But if they moved Eklund, signed Marner and kept Smith, that's a worse core than the Leafs have. Marner is awful defensively so not sure where Hodge came up with that.

Bennett should be the target at whatever price. The Marner contract would be the worst contract in the league, but even though it's a different GM, the one Wilson offered Tavares at 13m or whatever would've beat it already, and the fact Hasso ok'd that in the first place is not a good sign.

 

[TheBeard]

How does wanting to sign Marner next summer but not this one make any sense? What's the difference?

We'd have a better understanding on who all of the future core pieces are. One season doesn't make a career, and in the case of Askarov, we still don't really know what he's capable of in the NHL. Hell, we don't even have a proven NHL d-man for the future outside of Shakir and his 20 games. That's the optimistic uncertainty. They all certainly look good, but I'm not really ready to speed ahead and make that kind of a financial commitment to an outsider until the fruits of the tanking start to really blossom.

You are. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't like the player.

 

[TheBeard]

That's the problem. Eklund and Marner aren't comparable. Smith is far more comparable to Marner since he's essentially the Temu version of him. If Grier signed Marner and traded Smith for a better piece, that may be acceptable. But if they moved Eklund, signed Marner and kept Smith, that's a worse core than the Leafs have. Marner is awful defensively so not sure where Hodge came up with that.

Bennett should be the target at whatever price. The Marner contract would be the worst contract in the league, but even though it's a different GM, the one Wilson offered Tavares at 13m or whatever would've beat it already, and the fact Hasso ok'd that in the first place is not a good sign.

It's not the comparison but the financial commitment. Bringing in Marner for 14-15 makes Eklund expendable because Grier certainly isn't going to pay him 8-9 as well.

 

[Hodge]

That's the problem. Eklund and Marner aren't comparable. Smith is far more comparable to Marner since he's essentially the Temu version of him. If Grier signed Marner and traded Smith for a better piece, that may be acceptable. But if they moved Eklund, signed Marner and kept Smith, that's a worse core than the Leafs have. Marner is awful defensively so not sure where Hodge came up with that.

Bennett should be the target at whatever price. The Marner contract would be the worst contract in the league, but even though it's a different GM, the one Wilson offered Tavares at 13m or whatever would've beat it already, and the fact Hasso ok'd that in the first place is not a good sign.

Smith is the Temu version of Nylander, not Marner. He doesn't have Marner's skating ability or defensive value. Calling Marner awful defensively is one of the stupidest takes I've ever seen on this board. He has gotten Selke votes for the last 6 years running despite that predominantly being an award for centers.