Stewie Griffin
What the deuce
Bob Mckenzie's rankings (which are from literal NHL teams) had Schaefer as a consensus number 1 as of his last poll.While Schaefer is the consensus #1, I don't think the league sees it as clear cut as you do.
Bob Mckenzie's rankings (which are from literal NHL teams) had Schaefer as a consensus number 1 as of his last poll.While Schaefer is the consensus #1, I don't think the league sees it as clear cut as you do.
I think he is that prospect for our rebuild. Ideally you'd prefer if he was a RH shot and maybe had higher offensive potential but he's still so young that there's plenty of runway for him to develop his offensive game. Hagens is just another small forward who likely ends up on the wing and there are no guarantees that someone like Verhoeff lives up to the hype next year or that we're even in a position to draft him if he does.
I think it matters a lot more for D because of the details behind board seals/pinches, collecting rimmed pucks off the wall, and puck recovery in the DZ especially when turning and heading into the corner. Playing your strong side on D makes all of those things easier (your forehand forward/ to the entirety of the open ice, rather than your backhand). Just about the only thing that is easier on your offhand on D is pulling a puck off the wall at the blue line, quickly to the center of the ice for a shot, and that's still a tricky maneuver, versus from your strong side, pulling the puck off the wall on your forehand but skating backward with puck on forehand to get a shot from center ice.I've never seen much rhyme or reason as to how handedness figures in to whether guys play on the left or right wing, so while I understand the argument for defensemen, I've not seen it articulated for forwards. Plus with forwards, they're more likely to be in many more different spots on the ice so it's hard to predict which shot would be most optimal depending on how play goes. But I'd be interested in reading up on the subject.
If you think Schaefer is that dude, then it makes sense to give up a lot. It's a risk. I know you're strong on him and I am too, I'm just not 100% sure it's worth the risk, and thankfully I'm not getting paid to make those kinds of decisions. I do agree that McKenna I think is overhyped right now and I'm not convinced he's a better piece than either Celebrini or Schaefer, despite his scoring pace.I would trade our unprotected 2026 1st for Schaefer if we fell to 3rd. Probably an unpopular opinion, but I want him more than McKenna. And giving up a 2026 1st u protected is at best a 25% chance at McKenna. Verheoff probably isn't even the 2nd overall in the end next year anyway--remember, this time last year Hensler was seen as the 2nd overall for 2025.
Remember, McKenna is only three months younger than Schaefer. And the last two times they played hockey on the same stage (2024 Hlinka, 2025 WJC) Schaefer looked like the clear-cut better player. McKenna may end up the "better" player in the end but he's a one-way winger and Schaefer is a two-way defenseman.
FWIW both Pronman and EP dropped new draft rankings this morning. When we're done discussing 2026, let's hit it.
fascinating concept....If the lottery balls drop and Chicago wins the first lottery and the Sharks the second, and I was Grier I would offer Chicago the options to swap 1sts in the 26 draft. Essentially, swap places with us now and we’ll swap next year with you. If the Hawks elect to keep their pick (it’s better / they win the lottery) we can give them our extra 26 2nd. And then some tertiary asset just to give the Hawks something tangible like a 25 mid-round pick.
Hawks get Misa for Bedard and significantly increase their odds at landing McKenna.
Sharks land Schaefer and retain high picks in 26.
It's a risk, absolutely. Scary stuff, and we lived through it in 2020 so I get people being gun-shy. I do like Schaefer that much.If you think Schaefer is that dude, then it makes sense to give up a lot. It's a risk. I know you're strong on him and I am too, I'm just not 100% sure it's worth the risk, and thankfully I'm not getting paid to make those kinds of decisions. I do agree that McKenna I think is overhyped right now and I'm not convinced he's a better piece than either Celebrini or Schaefer, despite his scoring pace.
On the Pronman/EP rankings -- Pronman has no surprises for me after he already debuted his hot Desnoyers take (which I don't buy), although I guess Martone dropping and O'Brien rising as this year's Sennecke is somewhat of a surprise. EP seems to be sticking to the same narrative as everyone else, Misa at 2, Martone 3, and Hagens at 4. McQueen at 5. They seem highest on Hensler still at 15. EDIT: Frondell at 12 is a take. But one that you might agree with.
It’s a broken collarbone. It’s not the type of injury that lingers like a shoulder. Yes he is cautious because he is 17 and growing but the injury will not affect his play or availability for training camp.As of April 16, 2025, Matthew Schaefer has not yet returned to play following his clavicle injury sustained during the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. He underwent successful surgery on December 30, 2024, and was expected to be sidelined for at least three months . While Schaefer has expressed a strong desire to return to the ice and is undergoing rehabilitation, there have been no official updates confirming his return to play, it's unlikely that Schaefer will participate in the 2025 NHL Draft Combine scheduled for late May.
It’s definitely a concern—especially with a broken clavicle, since it's a critical area for upper-body strength, stability, and taking contact. For a player like Matthew Schaefer—who's a defenseman and plays a physical, mobile game—any re-injury could impact not just his draft stock but also his long-term development.
I am torn between Schaefer and Misa. Schaefer injury is still a mystery since he missed his return date in March and he won't participate in the combine in May but if he suddenly become healthy again, he is NHL-ready and ready to play next season for the Sharks. While Misa is NHL ready if he is willing to jump to the NHL or is he going to go to Boston College next year? It is really depends on the lottery draft where the Sharks will move, strategically.
It's a broken collar bone that has supposedly kept him off the ice for an eternity....It’s a broken collarbone. It’s not the type of injury that lingers like a shoulder. Yes he is cautious because he is 17 and growing but the injury will not affect his play or availability for training camp.
It takes a while to regain full strength on a broken collarbone, and it's very risky to come back too early in a sport where you're taking hits to the shoulder constantly. That said I agree it raises an eyebrow.It's a broken collar bone that has supposedly kept him off the ice for an eternity....
OV came back from a broken leg faster
After drafting Lev last year and considering they have a ton of d-men in the system but a major lack of forwards, I'd take my chances that Chicago goes Misa or Hagens.If the lottery balls drop and Chicago wins the first lottery and the Sharks the second, and I was Grier I would offer Chicago the options to swap 1sts in the 26 draft. Essentially, swap places with us now and we’ll swap next year with you. If the Hawks elect to keep their pick (it’s better / they win the lottery) we can give them our extra 26 2nd. And then some tertiary asset just to give the Hawks something tangible like a 25 mid-round pick.
Hawks get Misa for Bedard and significantly increase their odds at landing McKenna.
Sharks land Schaefer and retain high picks in 26.
He's been on the ice for a few weeks. Just no contact.It's a broken collar bone that has supposedly kept him off the ice for an eternity....
OV came back from a broken leg faster
I would consider Sam Rinzel.Say Chicago wins 1 and SJ falls to 3.
Chicago takes Schaefer, Misa goes 2, but now Chicago calls and wants to take Hagens at 3. Is there a D prospect on Chicago you'd take instead of the 3rd pick?
28+33+51ish might get us to... 12ish? 28+36+45 got 11th in 2022.What type of package would it take to jump up if we took BPA top 3 but someone like Mrtka drops to 8-12 range? Similar to Dickinson situation last year
If the lottery balls drop and Chicago wins the first lottery and the Sharks the second, and I was Grier I would offer Chicago the options to swap 1sts in the 26 draft. Essentially, swap places with us now and we’ll swap next year with you. If the Hawks elect to keep their pick (it’s better / they win the lottery) we can give them our extra 26 2nd. And then some tertiary asset just to give the Hawks something tangible like a 25 mid-round pick.
Hawks get Misa for Bedard and significantly increase their odds at landing McKenna.
Sharks land Schaefer and retain high picks in 26.
Thats my thought too. Buffalo similarly.After drafting Lev last year and considering they have a ton of d-men in the system but a major lack of forwards, I'd take my chances that Chicago goes Misa or Hagens.
17 year old bones still growing with entire careers ahead of them and not having made any money are different then 40 year old bones that are fully developed in a player who is not risking over $100 million of potential earnings.It's a broken collar bone that has supposedly kept him off the ice for an eternity....
OV came back from a broken leg faster
I agree completely. I’m in the Schaefer or bust category and would give up any Sharks picks needed to make the deal. If that isn’t an option Misa would be the second choice but I wouldn’t spend much to move up for him. If both are off the table then I would move down. Maybe enough picks can be obtained to then move the Dal pick into the teens and get both Mrtka and Hensler or one and Eklund. With the huge drop around 18 I would rather get 2 top 15 picks than #3 and Dal 1st.The way I see it: I want either Schaefer, Misa, a massive package of picks/prospects to trade down, or trade down for a top 4 NHL D (like from from 3 to 7 for Byram).
The amount of movement in the draft rankings this year is absurd, and it signals a wide open field, in which draft order is of less importance than most years.
last year, it was clear that D was the org need after the obvious celly pick. There were 6D in the draft class worth targeting (Yak, Lev, Silayev, Dick, Buium, Perekh). grier had #14. he flipped #42 to move to 11 (which was approx 40 pt trade value for 80 pts, thus a bad move on paper). The bet was that one of those D would be available there. It paid off, and we got Dick. That year being #8, 10, or 11 were all pretty similar, while being number 14 was a huge difference.
This time Schaefer is the clear target, but if they cannot get him, then there is no other clear goal. D remains the key org need, but unlike last time, there is not a clear top D class after schaefer. Mrtka, Smith, Hensler, Aitcheson.... All are very much second tier players. Misa and hagens are the class acts of this draft at forward. martone, Frondell, and co seem tire 2. Thus if we miss out on schaef and misa, then the next best option is to fill current NHL/Future NHL level D needs by trading down or taking more swings due to a less clear draft order and hope to hit the HR.
lastly, this may be the year to trade down from 3 if we cannot move up to 1. Given the clear line between the top 3 picks and the rest of the draft class, the sharks #3 pick may be extremely attractive to a ton of teams, as Hagens was a #1 consensus pick and i think remains considered a class above the rest. I wouldnt be surprised to see teams pony up to get that #3 if it comes to that.
All of this assumed terrible luck, but you gotta play the hand your dealt. Hagens just does not fit Grier's vision, so drafting him and then trading him away is likely to land a whole lot less than shopping the #3 for a nice package.
#3 to nashville for number 5 and a their two late 1sts.
or #3 to buffalo for 7 and Byram
or #3 to Philly for #6 and their late 1sts.
OR, is this a schaefer or bust draft? i.e. if they finish 3rd, do they trade all their picks in this entire draft to go from 1 to 3 and just walk away with schaefer alone? If chicago or buffalo wins the lottery, I think they would snatch that deal in an instant. its actually a similar equivalent trade value...
I dunno where the huge drop is. Ive seen such a wide variety of rankings that I have no clue where everyone slots in. Seems like with this draft, just take as many stabs as you can or go for broke on Schaefer.I agree completely. I’m in the Schaefer or bust category and would give up any Sharks picks needed to make the deal. If that isn’t an option Misa would be the second choice but I wouldn’t spend much to move up for him. If both are off the table then I would move down. Maybe enough picks can be obtained to then move the Dal pick into the teens and get both Mrtka and Hensler or one and Eklund. With the huge drop around 18 I would rather get 2 top 15 picks than #3 and Dal 1st.
Agreed. I think the top pick is an easy BPA decision that's largely out of our hands. Trading up or trading back from that position seems highly unlikely. It's the 2nd pick of the 1st round that throws me for a loop considering all the possibilities.Drafting 3rd, I would still keep it.
Imagine Hagens as the future 2C while keeping BFFs together. A pretty desirable outcome even if it's not the most optimal.
The second pick seems much simpler to me. It all depends on who wins the lottery though.Agreed. I think the top pick is an easy BPA decision that's largely out of our hands. Trading up or trading back from that position seems highly unlikely. It's the 2nd pick of the 1st round that throws me for a loop considering all the possibilities.
When I refer to the 2nd pick in the 1st round, I'm referencing the Dallas pick. Not 2OA. Sorry that that wasn't clear.The second pick seems much simpler to me. It all depends on who wins the lottery though.
If its chicago, we may not need to offer anything substantial but the pick swap we talked about is actually a legit concept, since they will be disqualified from moving up next year. We could also sit pat and roll the dice that chicago does not take schaefer. Either way, if they do intend to take Misa, I think it would be pretty cheap to get them to trade with us. Similar for buffalo. If its any other team, then the package to move up would be more costly as they would likely prefer schaefer over Misa. However, I am not sure there are any teams that so clearly want D over C, so the price to move from 1 to 2 should not be too expensive no matter what. I really feel that if we are second, and grier plays wisely, we should end up with schaefer.
Realistically, even if we are 3rd, I think grier should be able to get Schaefer if he plays his cards right. The price would be higher, but it's very possible. It would be stupid for teams to turn down good assets to take a player that dont much prefer over another. The only reason to hold schaefer as opposed to misa or hagens and a bevy of picks and prospects would be if you value schaefer that much more. I find that unlikely given the injury and the lack of playing this year, the organizational needs of other teams, and the allure of Misa or Hagens as an alternative.