GDT: 2025 NHL Draft Lottery 5/5/25 at 4:00pm PT (UPD: Sharks will pick 2nd. Isles get 1st)

[STL Shark]

Well, if there is a legit chance that the Isles will pick Misa, then Grier cannot trade down to 3 to target martone. He has to keep open the chance of getting schaefer...

Grier made it clear he's going BPA rather than need, position, or size, so that tends to make me think Misa. Annoying that no one asked him about Martone...

I'm coming around to be OK with Misa. I dont like his annual playoff failures, but we definitely need more top 6 forwards, so it does fill a clear future need. If they take him, I really hope they take D with 28 and 33, and then take Epperson with 53 to complete the saginaw line . I also like that Misa can play C or wing, so Celebrini-Misa-Cherny is a possible top line for the next decade, and Smith/Musty have looked like a nice pair too.

The other good news is that next year has Lin and Voerhoff in the top 3. So, the sharks can add that other top pair D next draft if they still stink this year.

All that said, unless grier starts building the D in earnest, it doesnt matter if we have the best forward lineup in the NHL, no team can score regularly playing offense 3 on 5 and without puck moving D who can feed the skilled forwards.

You'd never trade down pre-draft from the 2 spot anyway. See Jax and Cleveland 2 weeks ago. Agree to the trade in premise, but you only go through once you know your top guy is taken at #1. Had Ward not gone to Tennessee two weeks ago, Cleveland wasn't moving with Jacksonville. Would be the same here with Scahaefer. That said, we're not galaxy braining this thing and just taking Misa and being done with it if he's there.

Smith has not done enough to be counted on as a 2C. He's shown he's a top 6 player, but not a center yet. Misa is also a C/W tweener in a lot of reports, so take 2 C/W tweeners and increase the odds that you wind up with a quality 2C.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Isles fan who also loves the Sharks checking in...

A lot of sharks fans have stopped by our boards to offer congratulations - it says a lot about the character of Sharks fans.

I am not entirely sure what will happen. I could see us trading down for Hagens. But with a new GM, I am thinking they do the safe thing and draft BPA.

 

[SJS1991]

And oh, the draft wasn't rigged in the favor of the Sharks? Color me absolutely shocked.

That comes next year when the sharks go from 8/9 up to 1. Because that is the way of the universe. Sharks will have to add McKenna to Celebrini, Smith, Eklund and Misa.

Just for the laughs. No defense for this team.

 

[MackAttack71]

My thinking is… Smith/Misa, we need a 2C. Best one gets it. Loser is on Mack’s wing.

If injuries come knocking… be ready to play 2C

But who is the real loser then?

 

[Juxtaposer]

Isles fan who also loves the Sharks checking in...

A lot of sharks fans have stopped by our boards to offer congratulations - it says a lot about the character of Sharks fans.

I am not entirely sure what will happen. I could see us trading down for Hagens. But with a new GM, I am thinking they do the safe thing and draft BPA.

As fun as it is to talk silly little trades, I feel quite confident that the Isles will simply draft 1st overall and take their BPA. The luster of a 1st overall pick in it of itself is a little too strong to move off.

Better you guys than someone like Chicago or Anaheim. Now name a GM already so I can get in their ear about how risky it is to pick a defenseman 1st overall.

 

[Thrasymachus]

As fun as it is to talk silly little trades, I feel quite confident that the Isles will simply draft 1st overall and take their BPA. The luster of a 1st overall pick in it of itself is a little too strong to move off.

Better you guys than someone like Chicago or Anaheim. Now name a GM already so I can get in their ear about how risky it is to pick a defenseman 1st overall.

I certainly hope so. I think with a new GM, new President, (likely) new coach... this is not the time to get cutesy.

Schaefer instantly would be our franchise build-around player.

I feel awful that you guys got bumped though. Truly. I know you need defense.

But Misa is a beast so I suppose doesn't hurt to load up on forwards and then work from a position of strength.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I certainly hope so. I think with a new GM, new President, (likely) new coach... this is not the time to get cutesy.

Schaefer instantly would be our franchise build-around player.

I feel awful that you guys got bumped though. Truly. I know you need defense.

But Misa is a beast so I suppose doesn't hurt to load up on forwards and then work from a position of strength.

Naw, you don't have to feel bad for us, we got lucky last year with Mack, we really don't need to be greedy. Misa is really f***ing good and fits us like a glove as far as forwards go. Besides, I have a whole thesis on why you don't actually need a #1D to win a Stanley Cup (seriously) to help me cope with not getting Schaefer.

 

[JotAlan]

That 77 teal sweater will be fun…

Can you imagine a power play with Celebrini on the right wing, Smith on the left, Misa near the net and Eklund floating? I see it and... wow

 

[Mafoofoo]

It’s obvious the Sharks are destined to be the first team to win the cup with the top ranked offense and powerplay with the worst ranked defense and penalty kill. Askarov’s gonna win the Conn Smythe with a 5.00 GAA.

 

[Saskatoon]

Naw, you don't have to feel bad for us, we got lucky last year with Mack, we really don't need to be greedy. Misa is really f***ing good and fits us like a glove as far as forwards go. Besides, I have a whole thesis on why you don't actually need a #1D to win a Stanley Cup (seriously) to help me cope with not getting Schaefer.

I think Florida showed you can do with a solid group rather than a stratified D core with a clear #1

 

[SJS1991]

Can you imagine a power play with Celebrini on the right wing, Smith on the left, Misa near the net and Eklund floating? I see it and... wow

All of the sharks top players are going to be in the seventies… 71, 72, 73 now 77… going to need to split that up or really lean into it.

Ask needs to switch to 70, Smithy needs to pick like 78 or something.

 

[hockeyCEO]

We had a 25% chance to pick #1 overall and a less than 45% chance to pick 1 or 2 overall. Two years in a row.
We ended up with one #1 and one #2. I'm not going to try to math that out, but I'm pretty sure the odds will say that we have been fortunate rather than unfortunate the last 2 years.

The odds of a #1 pick and a #2 pick is 11.25%

The odds of a #1 pick and a #1 pick is 6.25%

 

[YUPPY]

That comes next year when the sharks go from 8/9 up to 1. Because that is the way of the universe. Sharks will have to add McKenna to Celebrini, Smith, Eklund and Misa.

Just for the laughs. No defense for this team.

Askarov is our defense. Just score more than the opponents and you'll win EVERY game.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I think Florida showed you can do with a solid group rather than a stratified D core with a clear #1

Yep, precisely. Forsling is really good defensively but he's no true #1D. Ekblad certainly wasn't one, but he could chew up minutes in all situations adequately. And Montour was a classic mercenary PPQB.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the only decent D the Sharks have ever drafted (Vlasic, Braun, maybe Demers, maybe Ferraro) in the last 20 years have come from outside the 1st round. Part of it is that forwards have almost always been the BPAs when we've had 1st round picks, but the point is that while it's not as easy to get draft steals in today's day and age as it was back before scouting got really good, it's still extremely possible to get great defensemen outside the first round and especially outside the top-5. Hell, I would even make the argument that non-elite D shouldn't be taken in the top-5 at all unless they're clearly ahead of the next forward. You can find Brock Fabers and Alex Vlasics and Lane Hutsons in the 2nd round. You can find Zeev Buiums and Sam Dickinsons and Sam Rinzels outside the top-10.

Not to rehash this for the thousandth time, I'm sure y'all are sick of my yapping, but we can definitely build a D without a single elite guy. It's just more difficult and will require some careful work by Grier.

My interest in finding a way to land Tom Willander is especially renewed.

 

[hohosaregood]

I think the value of a #1D is the versatility. Someone who is your top PP QB, a reliable member of the PK, and is also an even strength minute muncher. Without a 1D, you need to find 2-3 someones who can fill that role in each of those situations. Both scenarios are difficult to build out but the second scenario was rarer when the general talent pool was shallower.

 

[hockeyball]

I'm thrilled with the #2, hoping we still get Shaefer but I'm certainly not going to be crying we got Misa lol.

 

[Jargon]

Yep, precisely. Forsling is really good defensively but he's no true #1D. Ekblad certainly wasn't one, but he could chew up minutes in all situations adequately. And Montour was a classic mercenary PPQB.

I don't think it's a coincidence that the only decent D the Sharks have ever drafted (Vlasic, Braun, maybe Demers, maybe Ferraro) in the last 20 years have come from outside the 1st round. Part of it is that forwards have almost always been the BPAs when we've had 1st round picks, but the point is that while it's not as easy to get draft steals in today's day and age as it was back before scouting got really good, it's still extremely possible to get great defensemen outside the first round and especially outside the top-5. Hell, I would even make the argument that non-elite D shouldn't be taken in the top-5 at all unless they're clearly ahead of the next forward. You can find Brock Fabers and Alex Vlasics and Lane Hutsons in the 2nd round. You can find Zeev Buiums and Sam Dickinsons and Sam Rinzels outside the top-10.

Not to rehash this for the thousandth time, I'm sure y'all are sick of my yapping, but we can definitely build a D without a single elite guy. It's just more difficult and will require some careful work by Grier.

My interest in finding a way to land Tom Willander is especially renewed.

I think if Muhk can continue his play from last year and Dickinson keeps on keeping on, that’s hopefully 2 of our top 4 (we can pray that Dickinson turns into a 1D but that sounds unlikely).

If we can get a legit RD that is a top line RD but not a superstar, and have the lines be like:

Dickinson - Top Line RD (through trade? FA?)
Muhk - FA/Trade -
Ferraro - Prospect/whoever

Obviously, not super easy to find that top guy but with our draft capital/prospects I think there’s likely a trade to be had in the next couple of years.

It would be nice to have Schaefer cause a defense built with Schaefer, Dickinson, Muhk is gigantic and mobile as hell and I love it, but we can still cobble something together… and with that too 6, that might be okay.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I think if Muhk can continue his play from last year and Dickinson keeps on keeping on, that’s hopefully 2 of our top 4 (we can pray that Dickinson turns into a 1D but that sounds unlikely).

If we can get a legit RD that is a top line RD but not a superstar, and have the lines be like:

Dickinson - Top Line RD (through trade? FA?)
Muhk - FA/Trade -
Ferraro - Prospect/whoever

Obviously, not super easy to find that top guy but with our draft capital/prospects I think there’s likely a trade to be had in the next couple of years.

It would be nice to have Schaefer cause a defense built with Schaefer, Dickinson, Muhk is gigantic and mobile as hell and I love it, but we can still cobble something together… and with that too 6, that might be okay.

Dickinson and Mukh both seem like the "all-situations minute-munching" types, though Dickinson has an outside shot at the shutdown D archetype if they really steer him in that direction. Tom Willander appeals to me because I think he could definitely be that Forsling, shutdown type. I still think Cagnoni is a long-shot to be a full-time NHLer, if he could become that legit PPQB while holding his own in bottom-pairing even strength minutes, that would be tremendous, but PPQBs aren't really the most difficult thing to acquire.

And even then, we've always acquired #1D in the past, between Burns and Boyle. It's not impossible at all.

 

[Lebanezer]

Can you imagine a power play with Celebrini on the right wing, Smith on the left, Misa near the net and Eklund floating? I see it and... wow

I like how you didn’t mention the 5th player on the power play, and I know that’s because Cagnoni is so small you can’t see him.

 

[StrawHatEklund]

The amount of Hawks fans trying to will their way to Misa through their prayers and predictions is annoying. They are dead set on us taking Martone at 2. Hopefully, Grier does the straight forward thing and drafts Misa as BPA if we can't get Schaefer or trade up to 1.

 

[sampler]

You can win without a clear superstar #1D, ala makar. But, it's reallllly hard to win without multiple solid two-way puck movers who can also be offensive threats. You dont have to have a boyle or a burns, but you cannot be a team full of Ferraros and liljgrens.

Forsling, Montour, OEL, Ekblad, Kulikov.... none are Makar-like, but all of them can contribute at both ends. This year, add Mikkola, and Schmidt, who are similarly capable at both ends, even if not stars. none are an automatic blocked shot/clear when the puck comes to the point. All can skate, pass, and play a well rounded game.

Im OK with the sharks cobblind together a high quality defense with a bunch of 30 pt, two-way players. Even a team full of Cecis.

Right now, we have ferraro (career high 21 pts, but every other year in the 10-19 range), liljgren (career high 23 pts), Desharnais (career high 11 pts), Thrun (12 pts, and not showing much promise to ecclipse that by much)... In other words, the sharks have ZERO guys who have scored even 25 points from the blueline. That's just way too little to be even respectable.

So, I am fine if they do not get a #1D, as much as Id love it, but they need to get a bunch of guys who can put in 7-10 goals, 30+ pts consistently. Maybe Dick becomes one. maybe Mukh becomes one. maybe Cags becomes one. But they need 4 of them, at least, and ones who can also play reasonable defense too. However, to be honest, the defensive prowess would be second for me to offense right now. You cannot win games if you cannot score, and you cannot score well if your Defense is a black hole.

The sharks were dead last in GAA but also in GFA. I dont think you can address the goals against unless you can possess the puck in the O zone, thus addressing the goals for. Having 6 defensive defensemen just means playing defense all game.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

They also have Calum Ritchie now and elite level sniper in Eiserman. Schaefer makes the most sense.

According to our guy EsierBum is just that a bum

 

[sampler]

Dickinson and Mukh both seem like the "all-situations minute-munching" types, though Dickinson has an outside shot at the shutdown D archetype if they really steer him in that direction. Tom Willander appeals to me because I think he could definitely be that Forsling, shutdown type. I still think Cagnoni is a long-shot to be a full-time NHLer, if he could become that legit PPQB while holding his own in bottom-pairing even strength minutes, that would be tremendous, but PPQBs aren't really the most difficult thing to acquire.

And even then, we've always acquired #1D in the past, between Burns and Boyle. It's not impossible at all.

Its not impossible. you are totally right. However, those were doug wilson deals (not to mention the biggest deal in sharks history and one of the biggest in NHL history for jumbo).

This is mike grier. He has yet to acquire talent successfully in a legit (non cap dump) trade. Now, to be fair, he hasnt particularly tried much and the only trade hes made of any quality was the zetterlund deal, and that's looking pretty terrible right now. he also traded for grundstrom and dyllandrea, aong with goodrow. Strike out! I have zero faith in grier's ability to identify talent and acquire it by trade, so there is a part of me that just hopes he stays the course and adds crappy overpaid vets and builds the team via draft. Of course, there is a bigger part of me desperate for him to ice an NHL-level defense too.

Its doable to improve the D a ton this summer and next. The question is whether grier has the skill to do it.

 

[Juxtaposer]

The amount of Hawks fans trying to will their way to Misa through their prayers and predictions is annoying. They are dead set on us taking Martone at 2. Hopefully, Grier does the straight forward thing and drafts Misa as BPA if we can't get Schaefer or trade up to 1.

As the draft approaches, I hope we get some kind of inkling as to where the Sharks are leaning. I don't want to be the Hawks fans last season insisting they won't pass on Demidov only to end up with Levshunov.

 

[sampler]

BTW, I am not sold on Mukh at all. he showed some flashes last year, but between injuries and inconsistent play, I wonder if we are putting too many eggs in his basket. If he was 21, Id also feel better, but hes already 23 (24 mid year), so he's not that young, and its not like hes dominated in the A. I would not be at all surprised to see him fizzle out into nothing, ala Knyzhov.