2025 NHL Draft: Lose a ton for Porter Martone

[sampler]

I think they use the picks this year to draft guys. They may use next year's EDM 1st and avs 2nd to add guys. I also think who they draft with the dallas pick and their own 2nd (and ottawa's) depends on the lottery. If they get Schaefer, I expect they will look for another 1 or 2 hulking wingers. They have musty, cherny, haltunnen. Lund is respectable. But, I think he would want another 1 or 2 6'3, 6'4 power wingers to flank smith and celly, and then maybe one more larger, defense first D.

If they lose the lottery, they take Misa. If they lose twice, they take Martone or McQueen. if they end up with a forward on picks 2-4, then I expect two larger D with DAL and ours. Fiddler, Boumedienne... I don't think Hensler, Smith, Mrtka fall anywhere near that far.

I really think the draft strategy with picks 30, 33, and 49 (ish) depends on pick 1-4. The top priorities will be SIZE on D, then SIZE at wing. Then maybe a center or two, though with Smith and Celly at 1-2, and Ostapchuk and Bystedt set up for 3-4, I dont see alot of reason to focus up the middle unless a guy who can play C or W unexpectedly falls.

Three other interesting possibilities:
1. If they lose out on Schaefer and Misa, I could also see them trade down from 3/4 and grab Smith or Mrtka in the 6-8 range. I would very much doubt this as Martone fits the hulking power winger mold, so I would still expect that pick.

2. if they lose out on Schaefer or Misa, they pick martone/mcqueen. Then, watch the draft carefully. If any of Hensler, Smith, or Mrtka drops to 20, they package the ottawa second with the dallas pick to move up 8-10 slots and grab one. if no one falls, they might even package a 3rd to move up 5 or so slots to grab Fiddler/Boumedienne in that #20-25 range. Then, package the ottawa 2nd and our second to grab the other in the #25 range too. Martone, Fiddler, Boumedienne would be a nice haul from the first three rounds in the event we miss out on the bigger prizes. This would be a worst case situation.

 

[WSS11]

Boston is definitely tearing down. Which would maybe mean, target Hampus Lindholm? Could start with DAL 1st + Musty + something

He’s 31.

 

[NiWa]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

 

[Friday]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

Dickinson and Schaefer could Celebrini and Smith a baby blue line in 26/27. Sharks have enough fodder to feasibly move up for any of those RHD they target. Even more so if Hensler is going to fall into that 10-20 range

 

[Gecklund]

We currently hold SJS #1, DAL#28, SJS #33, OTT #51.

In 2024, 23 Ds (12 LHD, 11 RHD) were drafted in the first two rounds. In 2023, it was 16 Ds (8 LHD, 8 RHD).
The below group of 15 is likely to follow their foot steps in 2025.

Given the ranges where they currently reside on public scouting lists, who do you believe are the highest value relative to acquisition cost? (let's exclude Schaefer given he's already been discussed in detail)

1-2 Schaefer (6'1, LHD)
6-12 Smith (6'3, LHD)
8-14 Mrtka (6'6, RHD)
8-22 Aitcheson (6'2, LHD)
10-24 Hensler (6'2, RHD)
10-26 Reid (5'12, LHD)
18-26 Fiddler (6'4, RHD)
19-42 Brzustewicz (6'2, RHD)
24-46 Boumedienne (6'1, LHD)
32-46 Tretheway (6'1, RHD)
29-58 Wang (6'6, LHD)
27-57 Amico (6'5, RHD)
36-69 Limatov (6'3, LHD)
29-64 Hamilton (6'0, LHD)
40-74 Huang (6'0, RHD)

There were a few more on McKenzie's list in the 2nd rounder range:

1. Kettles (6'5, RHD)
2. Vass (6'2, LHD)
3. Psenicka (6'4, RHD)
4. Bedkowski (6'5, RHD)
5. Rombach (6'6, LHD)

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

 

[Jargon]

A Schaefer/Hensler 1st round feels like a massive success. You basically have your top 4 of the future done (Schaefer - Hensler / Dickinson- Muhk or whatever). Though I still love Jux’s pipe dream of somehow getting baby Eklund.

 

[Hodge]

A Schaefer/Hensler 1st round feels like a massive success. You basically have your top 4 of the future done (Schaefer - Hensler / Dickinson- Muhk or whatever). Though I still love Jux’s pipe dream of somehow getting baby Eklund.

Even Schaefer + Fiddler would be a great haul, seems more likely he'll be available with the Dallas pick than Hensler. Then we could grab a big forward like Nesbitt or Ihs-Wozniak with our 2nd.

 

[Jargon]

Even Schaefer + Fiddler would be a great haul, seems more likely he'll be available with the Dallas pick than Hensler. Then we could grab a big forward like Nesbitt or Ihs-Wozniak with our 2nd.

Makes me think that there are enough good options with that Dallas pick that Grier won’t trade it unless it’s for a big piece.

 

[Groo]

Schaefer/ Misa
Nesbitt
Brokowski

 

[Groo]

...

 

[sampler]

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

I think if we get schaefer, they will look to add big wingers with 30 and 33, unless one of the top D unexpectedly falls. I think the trade of zetterlund means that the forward ranks still need reinforcements. if they do pick schaefer, then I think the D is far more set with Mukh, Dick, Schaefer. Then, its a competition between cagnoni, pohlcamp, LSW etc for the depth spots or likely package one or more plus '26 picks for an external top 4D.

The long term Forwards, however, remain a bit unfilled, specifically on the wing. He clearly likes Cell-Smith-Ostapchuk-Bystedt as 1-2-3-4C. But the wings have Eklund, Graf, and then Musty, Haltunnen, Chernyshov, Cardwell, Lund. But its a tough play to bet too much on those prospects all paning out and becoming top 9 wingers. I could see maybe 3-4 of them becoming clear top 9 guys, but we need 6, so we could use one or two more higher end prospects with size just in case.

This is why I think:
1. win lottery: pick schaefer, then add forwards with size. Nesbitt, Zonnon...
2. Lose lottery: take Misa (2nd) or Martone (3rd). Then use 30,33,49 (trade up?) to add D with size: Fiddler, Boumedienne, Hensler
3. Also possible: Win lottery, pick schaefer, then trade ottawa 2nd rounder to move up to get another D (Fiddler, Boumedienne, Hensler), and still land a big forward at #33.

This way, whatever happens with the lottery, we come away with either a surefire top 4D and two good forward prospects, a surefire top 6F and two good D prospects, or a surefire top 4D, another good D prospect, and still another 1st round level forward who unexpectedly falls, ala cherny.

Either way, you fill in the remaining prospect holes for the core. Feels like the 2025 draft, if done well, should complete the deck for the future of the franchise. By the end of this draft, if we use the picks to draft, we should have 3 of the top 4D set. The top 4C, and three sets of wings, all aged 18-23.

Then, after the draft, start signing UFA's to way overpriced 1-2 year deals to buy time. Hope not to suck, but if you do, then trade said UFAs (use the retention slot) for more '26 picks. Then, use our top 10 pick to add another piece and trade other draft capital to fill in holes, like top 4D. I expect '25-26 will be rough again, but '26-27 might be interesting as smith, celly, and ek are in years 3/4. Cherny, musty, haltunnen, lund, dick, pohlcamp will all be pros. LSW and Landen may too. Askarov will be in his second full NHL year. the '25 1st pick (schaefer/misa/martone) will likely be going pro.

bascially, the cupboard stacking of the last 3 years will finally be pro. So, hopefully, just one more year to wait for respectability as '25-26 is the rookie development year for Shcaefer/Misa, dick, musty, cherny, haltunnen, lund, and cardwell. Of course Cagnoni remains a wild card as well....

 

[Star Platinum]

I think it depends on if we get Schaefer or not. If we do then I’d love to see the sharks trade up for Hensler (who I think goes a lot closer to 10 than 24) but there’s plenty of other guys that I like their potential. I like Fiddler and I like Boumedienne (although I hope we don’t take him cause typing his name out is more annoying than Mukhammadulin)

I think trading up is going to be very difficult in this draft. Everyone knows that the quality falls off fast. I think the picks are more likely to be used to acquire vets than to move up into the middle of the first round somewhere.

 

[Gecklund]

I think trading up is going to be very difficult in this draft. Everyone knows that the quality falls off fast. I think the picks are more likely to be used to acquire vets than to move up into the middle of the first round somewhere.

That’s why I’m thinking if we trade up it’s a packed of DAL 1 and EDM 1 next year

 

[Juxtaposer]

I have a strong desire to move into the 18-20 range. Someone like Spence, Hensler, Fiddler, Cootes, or even better will be available. The high-end skill drops off at like 5 or 6, but there are a lot of high-floor middle-six/middle-pairing grinder types with size that project as useful players. Past ~20 it's all small skill guys and long-shots.

Schaefer
Misa
Hagens
Martone
Eklund

Smith
Frondell
Bear
McQueen
Mrtka
Desnoyers

O'Brien
Hensler
Martin
Fiddler
Spence
Lakovic
Cootes
Reid

 

[Jargon]

I have a strong desire to move into the 18-20 range. Someone like Spence, Hensler, Fiddler, Cootes, or even better will be available. The high-end skill drops off at like 5 or 6, but there are a lot of high-floor middle-six/middle-pairing grinder types with size that project as useful players. Past ~20 it's all small skill guys and long-shots.

Schaefer
Misa
Hagens
Martone
Eklund

Smith
Frondell
Bear
McQueen
Mrtka
Desnoyers

O'Brien
Hensler
Martin
Fiddler
Spence
Lakovic
Cootes
Reid

With 2 2nds and 1 late first surely that’s possible. Though of course you’ve now gotten Eklund into my head and it’s all I want.

 

[coooldude]

I hate to be a debbie downer, because the vibes would be back... but I think there's almost zero chance that we move up to pick Baby Eklund.

If we pick Baby Eklund, and he hits, then we have two Eklunds. We just shipped out a middle 6 winger who was 5'11" and a bowling ball but not excellent enough to be considered part of the core. I have a tough time thinking that Grier, who just went on record saying our wing pipeline is solid, big, and skilled, goes out of his way to add another winger who is small, no matter how skilled and tenacious.

It's not like Baby Eklund's ceiling is much higher than his brother's. William was the "small but amazing" guy in his draft, with some HFB people wanting to draft him as high as 2 and seeing him as a steal at 7. I just don't see Grier wanting to construct a roster where we have two of those wings in the top 6, alongside two average to small C's in Celly and Smith.

There's a chance Grier tries to move up for a D on Jux's list, but even that seems extremely unlikely given his posturing. I think we see movement of those 1st's for roster players, or we see movement of those 1sts for slightly higher 1sts (20OA, maybe) to target a D, but I would be shocked if we move up to the 10-15 range to try to snipe a faller, and I think getting to 5-10 is too costly.

 

[Friday]

I hate to be a debbie downer, because the vibes would be back... but I think there's almost zero chance that we move up to pick Baby Eklund.

If we pick Baby Eklund, and he hits, then we have two Eklunds. We just shipped out a middle 6 winger who was 5'11" and a bowling ball but not excellent enough to be considered part of the core. I have a tough time thinking that Grier, who just went on record saying our wing pipeline is solid, big, and skilled, goes out of his way to add another winger who is small, no matter how skilled and tenacious.

It's not like Baby Eklund's ceiling is much higher than his brother's. William was the "small but amazing" guy in his draft, with some HFB people wanting to draft him as high as 2 and seeing him as a steal at 7. I just don't see Grier wanting to construct a roster where we have two of those wings in the top 6, alongside two average to small C's in Celly and Smith.

There's a chance Grier tries to move up for a D on Jux's list, but even that seems extremely unlikely given his posturing. I think we see movement of those 1st's for roster players, or we see movement of those 1sts for slightly higher 1sts (20OA, maybe) to target a D, but I would be shocked if we move up to the 10-15 range to try to snipe a faller, and I think getting to 5-10 is too costly.

if MG is moving up it’s to swoop Hensler / Fiddler. That seems much more feasible too

 

[Juxtaposer]

I hate to be a debbie downer, because the vibes would be back... but I think there's almost zero chance that we move up to pick Baby Eklund.

If we pick Baby Eklund, and he hits, then we have two Eklunds. We just shipped out a middle 6 winger who was 5'11" and a bowling ball but not excellent enough to be considered part of the core. I have a tough time thinking that Grier, who just went on record saying our wing pipeline is solid, big, and skilled, goes out of his way to add another winger who is small, no matter how skilled and tenacious.

It's not like Baby Eklund's ceiling is much higher than his brother's. William was the "small but amazing" guy in his draft, with some HFB people wanting to draft him as high as 2 and seeing him as a steal at 7. I just don't see Grier wanting to construct a roster where we have two of those wings in the top 6, alongside two average to small C's in Celly and Smith.

There's a chance Grier tries to move up for a D on Jux's list, but even that seems extremely unlikely given his posturing. I think we see movement of those 1st's for roster players, or we see movement of those 1sts for slightly higher 1sts (20OA, maybe) to target a D, but I would be shocked if we move up to the 10-15 range to try to snipe a faller, and I think getting to 5-10 is too costly.

Baby Ekky's ceiling is much better than Zetterlund's though. Higher hockey IQ, better shot, better defensively, and as much a wrecking ball as an 18 year old can be. He's the sort of high-energy forechecking demon that winning teams have. Feel like he'd be a great complement to a Musty-Smith duo or a theoretical Chernyshov-Misa duo.

This whole thing stemmed from Grier specifically mentioning Victor being great. I feel like if he had no interest in him on principle, it would have been really easy to not bring him up at all. I mean, it's not like William is listening to the State of the Sharks to be offended.

I do realize this is a pipe dream of course, but it's not that crazy IMO. The stage is absolutely set for Young Ek to slip in the draft and we have the assets to swoop in a grab him.

 

[Friday]

Baby Ekky's ceiling is much better than Zetterlund's though. Higher hockey IQ, better shot, better defensively, and as much a wrecking ball as an 18 year old can be. He's the sort of high-energy forechecking demon that winning teams have. Feel like he'd be a great complement to a Musty-Smith duo or a theoretical Chernyshov-Misa duo.

This whole thing stemmed from Grier specifically mentioning Victor being great. I feel like if he had no interest in him on principle, it would have been really easy to not bring him up at all. I mean, it's not like William is listening to the State of the Sharks to be offended.

I do realize this is a pipe dream of course, but it's not that crazy IMO. The stage is absolutely set for Young Ek to slip in the draft and we have the assets to swoop in a grab him.

Watch MG trade Eklund for a d man and then trade up for baby Eklund haha

 

[Hodge]

This whole thing stemmed from Grier specifically mentioning Victor being great. I feel like if he had no interest in him on principle, it would have been really easy to not bring him up at all. I mean, it's not like William is listening to the State of the Sharks to be offended.

Wasn't it just that some season ticket holder specifically asked about Victor Eklund at the state of the sharks thing? Obviously no GM is going to publicly trash an upcoming draft prospect in that situation, especially the brother of a player on his team.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I hate to be a debbie downer, because the vibes would be back... but I think there's almost zero chance that we move up to pick Baby Eklund.

If we pick Baby Eklund, and he hits, then we have two Eklunds. We just shipped out a middle 6 winger who was 5'11" and a bowling ball but not excellent enough to be considered part of the core. I have a tough time thinking that Grier, who just went on record saying our wing pipeline is solid, big, and skilled, goes out of his way to add another winger who is small, no matter how skilled and tenacious.

It's not like Baby Eklund's ceiling is much higher than his brother's. William was the "small but amazing" guy in his draft, with some HFB people wanting to draft him as high as 2 and seeing him as a steal at 7. I just don't see Grier wanting to construct a roster where we have two of those wings in the top 6, alongside two average to small C's in Celly and Smith.

There's a chance Grier tries to move up for a D on Jux's list, but even that seems extremely unlikely given his posturing. I think we see movement of those 1st's for roster players, or we see movement of those 1sts for slightly higher 1sts (20OA, maybe) to target a D, but I would be shocked if we move up to the 10-15 range to try to snipe a faller, and I think getting to 5-10 is too costly.

For the Sharks to get into the top ten, they would have to offer Dallas' pick, Edmonton's 1st next year, our 2nd, and Ottawa's 2nd pretty easily. Possibly more. I don't know that baby Eklund or anyone outside the top two is worth all that. I think guys in that 11-15 range that Eklund has a small chance of falling into are worth the Dallas pick, our 2nd, and Ottawa's 2nd including some guys like Hensler or Mrtka or Lakovic that are projected in that range. I feel that the choice is likely to use our extra 1st and two 2nds for either moving up in this draft or for help now. I can be convinced of either being the right choice depending on who you're getting and for what.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Wasn't it just that some season ticket holder specifically asked about Victor Eklund at the state of the sharks thing? Obviously no GM is going to publicly trash an upcoming draft prospect in that situation, especially the brother of a player on his team.

Was that what happened? My impression was that Grier was specifically asked about Schaefer and he turned around and said "Schaefer is good, but not a consensus #1 like Mack. Victor Eklund is also very good".

If I'm wrong then mea culpa.

 

[Hodge]

Was that what happened? My impression was that Grier was specifically asked about Schaefer and he turned around and said "Schaefer is good, but not a consensus #1 like Mack. Victor Eklund is also very good".

If I'm wrong then mea culpa.

Mike Grier Talks Barracuda Prospects, Dickinson & Musty, Matthew Schaefer (+)

GM Mike Grier had his mid-season availability on Tuesday night, and in a wide-ranging conversation, talked about more than just the current San Jose Sharks. Speaking of the Sharks, Mike Grier did share his Trade Deadline plans, thoughts on Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, and more, in Part 1 of...

sanjosehockeynow.com

It's hard to tell from the transcript on Sheng's website tbh. His praise of Eklund is under "Grier, on his impressions of Matthew Schaefer and Victor Eklund" so I assumed he was specifically asked about those two but who knows.

 

[GRANdSharks]

Victor eklund would be a great fit, p sure he is a righty tho i may be wrong, unfort he should go in a range we wont be picking in but if he does fall out of the top 10 because small, i would be 100% down to do the reverse of the Geekie trade, id do the same for Mrtka as well this draft is not to great once u get into the 20s imo

 

[TheBeard]

I wonder if Carter Bear's lacerate achilles drops him to late first round where we could nab him with the Dallas pick?