100% on trying to add another D to stabilize our top four, and push others down into spots better suited to their skill sets. The players I selected were just the ones that immediately jumped out at me.
Speculation: 2023-24 Sharks Roster Discussion
- Thread starter WTFetus
- Start date
But they so far have. They might see a future long term fit but @Hodge is not wrong that they have given up a 2nd and Ostapchuk for a player playing 4th line minutes for them.
That's not much, and that's the problem. You can find guys like Ostapchuk anywhere, even possibly the LNAH.
The team was on a win streak prior to the trade and haven’t lost yet. They found a formula that works for now. It’s been four games.
timorous me
Gristled Veteran
- Apr 14, 2010
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I'd be happy to see Grier move on from Kostin. I feel like he had this year to sort of show if he deserves a place on the team going forward and, safe to say, he didn't take that chance. And to the point of his mental game not being there, it's kind of a shame because with the tools he's got, you could find a place for him in the bottom six, but when we're stuck with a guy like Goodrow and committed to younger guys like Ostapchuk, where does he fit in? And he's sort of a liability in the vein of Kunin, only to a worse degree. So, okay, that's enough of that.
Kovalenko, on the other hand, feels to me more worth another year--I guess I see him sort of where Kostin was a year ago. Injuries have certainly affected his performance after that positive start. I'm not sure if he will make it in the NHL, but he's got the kind of spunk to be a contributor in the bottom six, maybe as a plug-and-play guy in the middle six if he can develop more consistency (which could come with better health and thus more consistent playing time in which to steady the ship). That said, it wouldn't surprise me if he decided to just go back to the KHL.
Kovalenko, on the other hand, feels to me more worth another year--I guess I see him sort of where Kostin was a year ago. Injuries have certainly affected his performance after that positive start. I'm not sure if he will make it in the NHL, but he's got the kind of spunk to be a contributor in the bottom six, maybe as a plug-and-play guy in the middle six if he can develop more consistency (which could come with better health and thus more consistent playing time in which to steady the ship). That said, it wouldn't surprise me if he decided to just go back to the KHL.
jMoneyBrah
Registered User
I think the fact that Kovalenko plays a more straightforward game, and hunts the puck on the forecheck means he’s likely to find more success in a bottom/middle 6 role than Kostin has. I watch Kovalenko and I can see what a coach would like with him. Yes more consistency, offensive results, and more impact in his own end would all seal the deal for him - but I like his motor, I can see he is following the offensive zone play when deployed with our better forwards, and he keeps things direct in the offensive zone. It’s a shame he doesn’t have Kostin’s physical tools.
I’d wager Grier will give him an opportunity to come back next year and I think he could settle in as a nice top 9 winger at some point.
It’s likely that Kostin is done with the Sharks, maybe he squeezes out another year in the NHL, but otherwise I suspect he’s heading to Europe or the KHL.
mogambomoroo
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- Oct 12, 2020
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I would personally change Wennberg with Eklund and have one of Celebrini/Smith take faceoffs. The second group doesn't have any natural center.
Small sample size from a practice but Cagnoni seems to be comfy there.
Small sample size from a practice but Cagnoni seems to be comfy there.
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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I think the thing is that Wennberg has a lot of poise with the puck and that matches the other guys really well. Eklund is a little more frantic with the puck and that matches the higher and more direct pace of the 2nd unit.
OrrNumber4
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- Jul 25, 2002
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It's not top of list, but revamping the bottom-6 would be nice. It feels like a lot of the guys currently playing haven't earned their spots; they're simply the best that is left.
In particular, Goodrow, Grundstrom, Dellandrea, and Kostin (of course) have disappointed. None of those two-year deals really worked out...
In particular, Goodrow, Grundstrom, Dellandrea, and Kostin (of course) have disappointed. None of those two-year deals really worked out...
Jargon
Registered User
Agreed. If we can somehow get two top 6 wingers, or at least one and a tweener for Smith, then you can drop Graf and Wennberg to the third line with Kovalenko and that feels like a really good 3rd line that can shut guys down and also score.
The hardest thing will be finding those guys for Smith and/or finding the guys for Celebrini (and dropping Eklund and Toffoli with Smith). The other question is; is Will ready to play as a center next season or do we need to get a 2C for him?
But yeah, I think a couple of top 6 guys automatically improves the bottom 6.
hohosaregood
Banned
- Sep 1, 2011
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I'd like to leave a spot open in the bottom 6 for Cardwell. He seems like an imminent graduation. And we'll probably see some combo of Ostapchuk, Bystedt, Musty, and Chernyshov slotting in for a few games at a time here and there. Not sure how they feel about Giles and his future but he's a plausible 4C. I don't think Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Goodrow, and Kostin have spots for much longer even with a purposeful overhaul.
Hodge
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- Apr 27, 2021
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Well, they did call Schuldt up before him.This was a fun little back and forth.
Cas
Conversational Black Hole
- Jun 23, 2020
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They did call up Schuldt before him, at least.This was a fun little back and forth.
- Jul 25, 2007
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In fact, they DID call up Schuldt before him, so there's that.
And, they called up Schuldt first, so...
(joking aside)
Color me surprised that Cags is getting a few games this soon... I figured maybe at the very end of the season if the Cuda weren't in the PO's any more. Happy to see the back of Schuldt... dude was definitely outmatched. Cags will likely get turnstiled/embarrassed a fair few times but hopefully no worse than Schludt/bad-Thrun, and also hopefully he can show a flash or two on offense.
And, they called up Schuldt first, so...
(joking aside)
Color me surprised that Cags is getting a few games this soon... I figured maybe at the very end of the season if the Cuda weren't in the PO's any more. Happy to see the back of Schuldt... dude was definitely outmatched. Cags will likely get turnstiled/embarrassed a fair few times but hopefully no worse than Schludt/bad-Thrun, and also hopefully he can show a flash or two on offense.
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Jargon
Registered User
I have a feeling Cags is going to be very noticeable — kid is really confident and probably moves the puck better than anyone on our team. He’ll maybe get overpowered on some shifts but I suspect he’ll look a lot better than some people think.
Just a hunch…
Sendhelplease
Registered User
- Dec 21, 2020
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people b saying things so definitively, like man i think it depends.This was a fun little back and forth.
