Confirmed Trade: [COL/SJS] Mackenzie Blackwood, Givani Smith, 2027 5th for Alexandar Georgiev (14% ret.), Nikolai Kovalenko, 2026 2nd, cond. 2025 4th

[Pinkfloyd]

I like the work Grier has done; I really do—rooting for him and SJ.

With that said, you still need veteran talent to support the youth, especially in net. This team has a bottom-5 D; you need a goaltender who can, at the very least, provide stability so the youth doesn’t become disillusioned. Losing too much can mitigate player development.

I don't think these kids you're talking about are that fragile. There's only three kids to worry about with this and two are in their rookie years. If they're mentally fragile enough to let a trade of similarly experienced and talented goalies make them disillusioned and mitigate player development, they only have themselves to blame and it would make building around them very questionable. They should already know they were going to a bad team. You don't get picked 1st, 4th, and 7th overall in most cases to go to anything but a bad team. They need to be tougher than that, show more patience than that, and show they're part of the answer moving forward.

 

[TheBeard]

I don't think these kids you're talking about are that fragile. There's only three kids to worry about with this and two are in their rookie years. If they're mentally fragile enough to let a trade of similarly experienced and talented goalies make them disillusioned and mitigate player development, they only have themselves to blame and it would make building around them very questionable. They should already know they were going to a bad team. You don't get picked 1st, 4th, and 7th overall in most cases to go to anything but a bad team. They need to be tougher than that, show more patience than that, and show they're part of the answer moving forward.

While true, Eklund was drafted 4 years ago and to me he's starting to show the frustrations of someone tired of being on a losing squad. I can't put my finger on it but he strikes me as a player who may possibly want out if things don't turn around by the end of next year. He gets frustrated, starts showing bad habits, gets reprimanded, rekindles his fire, rinse repeat...

 

[Pinkfloyd]

While true, Eklund was drafted 4 years ago and to me he's starting to show the frustrations of someone tired of being on a losing squad. I can't put my finger on it but he strikes me as a player who may possibly want out if things don't turn around by the end of next year. He gets frustrated, starts showing bad habits, gets reprimanded, rekindles his fire, rinse repeat...

I don't know how you see what you're seeing but it's possible. And if it turns out that he wants out, I would max value on him and oblige. They will need committed young players to rebuild this thing and if he's not up for that for whatever reason then get something the team can use for him. Someone who already wants out without even playing two full NHL seasons is a red flag to me when it comes to the mental side of playing in the NHL. I don't think that's what the situation is with Eklund but that's how I'd view such a situation if it were an accurate representation.

 

[S E P H]

Pretty telling that an Oilers fan wouldn’t have made this deal despite our goalie problems.

Jokes on you, Oilers believe in their goaltending.

 

[bleedgreen]

Whenever I see video of the young Sharks it looks like they’re having a blast being in the NHL. I doubt they need to shelter them from the realities of life very much at this point. They’re too busy proving they belong in the league to shed too many tears about a mediocre goalie being moved out for a lesser goalie. It’s not like Georgiev has never been a good goalie before. They didn’t think they were making the playoffs.

They also got some legit help amongst the forwards in Kovalenko who may fit in great with their build. He’s no star but he could play a role for a few years.

 

[TheBeard]

I don't know how you see what you're seeing but it's possible. And if it turns out that he wants out, I would max value on him and oblige. They will need committed young players to rebuild this thing and if he's not up for that for whatever reason then get something the team can use for him. Someone who already wants out without even playing two full NHL seasons is a red flag to me when it comes to the mental side of playing in the NHL. I don't think that's what the situation is with Eklund but that's how I'd view such a situation if it were an accurate representation.

It’s just a gut feeling. I could (and probably am) way off base, but all his post game interviews he just seems so annoyed. I imagine considering he’s been there for a while now that he’s eager for more success so I don’t blame him for being frustrated with the losses. That competitive fire is a great thing to have but after a while I imagine the struggles gets to you.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

While true, Eklund was drafted 4 years ago and to me he's starting to show the frustrations of someone tired of being on a losing squad. I can't put my finger on it but he strikes me as a player who may possibly want out if things don't turn around by the end of next year. He gets frustrated, starts showing bad habits, gets reprimanded, rekindles his fire, rinse repeat...

Eklund’s been a full time NHLer for like 1.5 seasons. If he’s throwing in the towel on the Sharks situation already, and with the recent and soon to arrive talent, well he’s a hell of a lot less intelligent than I thought.

To be clear, other than the general desire to not loose I’ve seen nothing from Eklund that leads me to believe he’s been nothing but a solid teammate and enthusiastic member of the Sharks org. Frankly, it seems like he loves playing with Granlund, Zetterlund, Celebrini, and Smith. Maybe not being able to put a finger on it just means you’re inventing something to worry about?

 

[Hasbro]

I know the concept of a trade that both teams win is a logical paradox that will make some HFers head blow up like they are a Star Trek android, but Blackwood is an improvement over Geo, doesn't have a millstone for a contract and they made the deal without giving up any of their good prospects.

And in the immortal words of Joe Namath "It's last call. Miss America ain't walking through the door" Gibson was the only potentially better option. Geo only reached blackwood's .909 svp in 5 out of 18 games this year.

 

[dirtydanglez]

wedgewood is playing pretty well right now. you might see a platoon situation in colorado. it will be interesting to see what blackwood can do in front of a team like the avs.