GDT: Game 79: Sharks @ Oilers 6:30pm NBCSCA

[Tw1ster]

why is it this team has such a hard time playing hockey

Ftfy

 

[PattyLafontaine]

Ostapchuk has looked better the last few games.

 

[The Nemesis]

why is it this team has such a hard time getting off cross icers?

Because they suck.

 

[Cas]

I'd take Ferraro, Mukhamadullin, Liljegren, Desharnais, Thompson, and Vlasic over him. Then you have to consider the prospects like Cagnoni and Dickinson.

My feeling is that there is only so much space for prospects, even on a developing team, and the Sharks just may not want to give one to Thrun, even if he shows a lot of improvement during the offseason.

I don't think Vlasic or Desharnais are better than Thrun, and however unlikely it is, there is more chance of Thrun improving than them.

 

[The Nemesis]

I don't think Vlasic or Desharnais are better than Thrun, and however unlikely it is, there is more chance of Thrun improving than them.

Vlasic could be better than Thrun if he really felt like it.

 

[drunksage]

SNOG announcement​

Stop the presses.

Sharks -2 (Eklund, Lund)
Oilers - 4 (McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Bouchard)

In the home stretch of the season, we suddenly have a tie for the SNOG title. Congrats @PattyLafontaine on your 6th SNOG of the season!

Spoiler: 2024-25 First-half SNOG Results

#	Date / Opponent​	SNOG Winner(s)​	Result​
1	Oct. 10 vs Blues	none	Blues 5-4 OT
2	Oct. 12 vs Ducks	none	Ducks 2-0
3	Oct. 15 at Stars	weastern bias	Stars 3-2 SO
4	Oct. 17 at Blackhawks	weastern bias	Blackhawks 4-2
5	Oct. 18 at Jets	none	Jets 8-3
6	Oct. 20 vs Avalanche	none	Avalanche 4-1
7	Oct. 22 at Ducks	Timo Time	Ducks 3-1
8	Oct. 24 at Kings	Friday	Kings 3-2
9	Oct. 26 at VGK	none	VGK 7-3
10	Oct. 28 at Utah	none	Sharks 5-4 OT
11	Oct. 29 vs Kings	MackAttack71, bluefunnel, sharks_dynasty	Sharks 4-2
12	Oct. 31 vs Blackhawks	none	Sharks 3-2
13	Nov. 2 vs Canucks	none	Canucks 3-2
14	Nov. 5 vs Blue Jackets	none	Sharks 2-1 OT
15	Nov. 7 vs Wild	timorous me	Wild 5-2
16	Nov. 10 at Devils	none	Sharks 1-0
17	Nov. 11 at Flyers	TheBigDrunkPanda	Flyers 4-3 SO
18	Nov. 14 at Rangers	none	Rangers 3-2
19	Nov. 16 at Penguins	PattyLafontaine	Penguins 4-3 SO
20	Nov. 18 vs Red Wings	none	Sharks 5-4 OT
21	Nov. 20 at Stars	weastern bias	Stars 5-2
22	Nov. 21 at Blues	bullslugg, coooldude	Blues 3-2 SO
23	Nov. 23 vs Sabres	none	Sabres 4-2
24	Nov. 25 vs Kings	none	Sharks 7-2
25	Nov. 27 vs Senators	coooldude, PattyLafontaine	Senators 4-3
26	Nov. 29 vs Kraken	none	Sharks 8-5
27	Nov. 30 at Kraken	bluefunnel	Sharks 4-2
28	Dec. 3 at Capitals	none	Sharks 2-1 OT
29	Dec. 5 at Lightning	none	Lightning 8-1
30	Dec. 7 at Panthers	none	Panthers 3-1
31	Dec. 10 at Hurricanes	Timo Time	Hurricanes 3-2
32	Dec. 12 at Blues	MackAttack71	Sharks 4-3
33	Dec. 14 vs Utah	bullslugg	Hockey Club 4-3
34	Dec. 17 vs Jets	SJSharksfan39	Jets 4-3
35	Dec. 19 vs Avalanche	anthonyyy	Avalanche 4-2
36	Dec. 21 at Oilers	PattyLafontaine	Oilers 3-2 OT
37	Dec. 23 at Canucks	Timo Time	Canucks 4-3
38	Dec. 27 vs VGK	SJSharksfan39	VGK 6-3
39	Dec. 28 vs Flames	none	Flames 3-1
40	Dec. 31 vs Flyers	none	Flyers 4-0
41	Jan. 2 vs Lightning	none	Sharks 2-1

#	Date / Opponent​	SNOG Winner(s)​	Result​
42	Jan. 4 vs Devils	LadyStanley	Sharks 3-2
43	Jan. 7 vs VGK	weastern bias	VGK 4-2
44	Jan. 10 at Utah	none	Hockey Club 2-1
45	Jan. 11 vs Wild	weastern bias	Wild 3-1
46	Jan. 14 at Red Wings	none	Sharks 6-3
47	Jan. 16 at Blue Jackets	weastern bias	Blue Jackets 4-1
48	Jan. 18 at Islanders	TheBeard	Islanders 4-1
49	Jan. 20 at Bruins	none	Bruins 6-3
50	Jan. 21 at Predators	none	Predators 7-5
51	Jan. 23 vs Predators	Great Makohead Shork	Predators 6-5
52	Jan. 25 vs Panthers	SJSharksfan39	Panthers 7-2
53	Jan. 27 vs Penguins	none	Sharks 2-1
54	Jan. 30 at Kraken	none	Kraken 6-2
55	Feb. 4 vs Canadiens	none	Canadiens 4-3
56	Feb. 6 vs Canucks	none	Canucks 2-1
57	Feb. 8 vs Stars	none	Stars 8-3
58	Feb. 23 at Flames	Star Platinum	Flames 3-2
59	Feb. 24 at Jets	none	Jets 2-1 OT
60	Feb. 27 at Canadiens	bullslugg	Canadiens 4-3 OT
61	Mar. 1 at Senators	SJSharksfan39	Senators 5-3
62	Mar. 3 at Maple Leafs	none	Sharks 3-2 SO
63	Mar. 4 at Sabres	none	Sharks 6-2
64	Mar. 6 at Avalanche	none	Avalanche 7-3
65	Mar. 8 vs Islanders	PattyLafontaine	Islanders 4-2
66	Mar. 11 vs Predators	PattyLafontaine	Predators 3-2
67	Mar. 13 vs Blackhawks	none - dead forum	Sharks 4-2
68	Mar. 15 vs Capitals	none	Capitals 5-1
69	Mar. 20 vs Hurricanes	none	Hurricanes 3-1
70	Mar. 22 vs Bruins	none	Sharks 3-1
71	Mar. 27 vs Maple Leafs	none	Sharks 6-5 SO
72	Mar. 29 vs Rangers	none	Rangers 6-1
73	Mar. 30 at Kings	Tw1ster	Kings 8-1
74	Apr. 1 at Ducks	none	Ducks 4-3 SO
75	Apr. 3 vs Oilers	none	Oilers 3-2
76	Apr. 5 vs Kraken	none	Kraken 5-1
77	Apr. 7 vs Flames	Original22	Flames 3-2
78	Apr. 9 at Wild	none	Wild 8-7 OT
79	Apr. 11 at Oilers	PattyLafontaine	Oilers 4-2

Rank	2024-25 SNOG standings​	# of SNOGs
T-1.	PattyLafontaine, weastern bias	6
3.	SJSharksfan39	4
T-4.	bullslugg, Timo Time	3
T-6.	bluefunnel, coooldude, MackAttack71	2
T-9.	anthonyyy, Friday, Great Makohead Shork, LadyStanley, Original22, sharks_dynasty, Star Platinum, TheBeard, TheBigDrunkPanda, timorous me, Tw1ster	1

 

[StrawHatEklund]

Would have been nice if Celebrini got a point but I’ll take the Smith goal and Eklund assist. It was a competitive game but really hoping for just 1 win at this point. 2 would be a treat.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Star Platinum]

I don't think Vlasic or Desharnais are better than Thrun, and however unlikely it is, there is more chance of Thrun improving than them.

Desharnais vs Thrun doesn't even matter because Desharnais is a RHD and should only be measured against other RHD options.

Sharks return Ferraro and Mukhamadullin as LHD. There is only one other spot for LHD with Cagnoni and Dickinson being possible candidates for that third job, along with the possibility of getting an LHD better than Ferraro and Mukhamadullin to be the top pairing LHD.

You can bring him back to be the #7 guy, but that's about it for him.

 

[Hodge]

Romanov has been impressive apart from the LA game. Hope we can keep him as the third goalie next season.

 

[timorous me]

Desharnais vs Thrun doesn't even matter because Desharnais is a RHD and should only be measured against other RHD options.

Sharks return Ferraro and Mukhamadullin as LHD. There is only one other spot for LHD with Cagnoni and Dickinson being possible candidates for that third job, along with the possibility of getting an LHD better than Ferraro and Mukhamadullin to be the top pairing LHD.

You can bring him back to be the #7 guy, but that's about it for him.

Mukhamadullin showing he can hold his own at RD is pretty big in terms of the flexibility that offers Grier this offseason. It's almost a guarantee that acquiring a top-4 LD is going to be easier, and—speaking as someone who's hoping to see Dickinson make the team in October—it helps in terms of creating an avenue toward improving the left side of the defense AND still having Dickinson as part of it.

My ideal scenario at this point is having a Dick and Lily third pairing (also works as a quirky odd couple cop show that gets cancelled after one season). This basically creates a situation not unlike last offseason, where Grier effectively can acquire the team's top D pairing like he did with Walman and Ceci (though ideally somewhat better and not one-year rentals).

What do you do, then, with Desharnais, Vlasic, and Thrun? Who the hell knows (and mostly who the hell cares, though Grier has to do something with them). I suppose carrying eight D is an option, but whatever, I just hope Desharnais is not viewed as anything more than a 7D because he is not good and I feel like pairing him with a kid like Dickinson or Cagnoni for more than a few games isn't going to be good for their development.

 

[Cas]

We can also always waive Thrun and Desharnais. We don't waive Vlasic, but we could (and perhaps should).

 

[matt trick]

I can't believe we have Ferraro, Liljigren, Thrun, Desharnis, and Vlasic all signed for next year. That's a shockingly poor collection of defenders.

Muk of course will be signed as well, but we need two upgrades, even if one is a Ceci type good bottom pairing guy you can feed hard minutes to. I also would like to see Dickinson and Lilly as third pair which means one of Thrun and Desharnis need go (AHL or otherwise), and Vlasic hangs out mosly on LTIR/8th d-man.

I'd simply waive Thrun, if he gets claimed good for him, if not, he's a solid addition to the Barracuda. Cagnoni, Thompson, Thrun, Schuldt (if re-signed), and Carlsson is a pretty solid d group.

 

[Juxtaposer]

The Desharnais acquisition is as baffling as it was on day 1. If he didn't have another year on his contract, I would have been fine with it.

We simply cannot have another year with him, Vlasic, and Thrun on the team. Launch them all into the sun as far as I'm concerned.

 

[gaucholoco3]

The Desharnais acquisition is as baffling as it was on day 1. If he didn't have another year on his contract, I would have been fine with it.

We simply cannot have another year with him, Vlasic, and Thrun on the team. Launch them all into the sun as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe it’s a sign they will be happy to waive Thrun next season or are activity looking to trade Ferraro.

I don’t mind Thrun as the standard that Dickinson would have to beat out to take that 3rd pair spot. It would obviously not be ideal to have Thrun on the 3rd pair but if Dickinson can’t outplay him he needs to go back to the OHL for a season.

 

[coooldude]

Desharnais as I have said is just a bigger, kinda worse Rutta. Thrun, Vlasic, and Rutta were on the squad with Walman and Ceci (and no Liljegren) at the start of the year this year. So why hard to project how they could be on the roster to start next season?

If we're lucky, we will add a top 4 LHD and a top 4 RHD. Highly unlikely. If we only add a top 4 LHD, then Mukh will play the right side replacing Ceci. We start with NewLD, Ferraro, and Thrun/Vlasic on the left, and Mukh, Lily, and Desharnais/Thompson on the right, carrying 8.

The chance that Dick makes the squad on a dev day plan is highly unlikely, but if he does, great - we'll see him in the rotation and Thrun might get jettisoned, Vlasic bought out (possibly, not likely) or Thompson moved for someone better on the right side and Desharnais and Dick are in the press box a lot.

But I think the likeliest scenario is one of the D moved in a "big" trade for a better D, and still we start the year with some of these God awful names but at least slightly better.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Juxtaposer]

Maybe it’s a sign they will be happy to waive Thrun next season or are activity looking to trade Ferraro.

I don’t mind Thrun as the standard that Dickinson would have to beat out to take that 3rd pair spot. It would obviously not be ideal to have Thrun on the 3rd pair but if Dickinson can’t outplay him he needs to go back to the OHL for a season.

I hope so. I was trying to give him as much latitude as possible for being young and in a bad situation but I'm just done with Thrun.

With the Dickinson thing though, the point would be to Will Smith him, by which I mean feed him minutes he may not necessarily have earned because by the end of the season he'll reward you with top-half-of-the-lineup caliber of play. I'm more dubious about doing that because 1) defensemen take longer to develop, 2) he's not as talented as Will Smith, and 3) it's harder to hide a sub-par defenseman than it is a sub-par forward. But point is that you'd be banking on him learning on the fly, not that he earned a spot.

Desharnais as I have said is just a bigger, kinda worse Rutta. Thrun, Vlasic, and Rutta were on the squad with Walman and Ceci (and no Liljegren) at the start of the year this year. So why hard to project how they could be on the roster to start next season?

If we're lucky, we will add a top 4 LHD and a top 4 RHD. Highly unlikely. If we only add a top 4 LHD, then Mukh will play the right side replacing Ceci. We start with NewLD, Ferraro, and Thrun/Vlasic on the left, and Mukh, Lily, and Desharnais/Thompson on the right, carrying 8.

The chance that Dick makes the squad on a dev day plan is highly unlikely, but if he does, great - we'll see him in the rotation and Thrun might get jettisoned, Vlasic bought out (possibly, not likely) or Thompson moved for someone better on the right side and Desharnais and Dick are in the press box a lot.

But I think the likeliest scenario is one of the D moved in a "big" trade for a better D, and still we start the year with some of these God awful names but at least slightly better.

More than ever, it is evident that we simply need to sign or make a trade for a top-pairing defenseman, two ideally. Ferraro-Mukhamadullin, Dickinson-Liljegren is probably an okay bottom-4 D, but they need someone to eat top minutes and push them into appropriate roles. Even if it's just Walman-Ceci redux, we need to go get those players.

 

[gaucholoco3]

With the Dickinson thing though, the point would be to Will Smith him, by which I mean feed him minutes he may not necessarily have earned because by the end of the season he'll reward you with top-half-of-the-lineup caliber of play. I'm more dubious about doing that because 1) defensemen take longer to develop, 2) he's not as talented as Will Smith, and 3) it's harder to hide a sub-par defenseman than it is a sub-par forward. But point is that you'd be banking on him learning on the fly, not that he earned a spot.

More than ever, it is evident that we simply need to sign or make a trade for a top-pairing defenseman, two ideally. Ferraro-Mukhamadullin, Dickinson-Liljegren is probably an okay bottom-4 D, but they need someone to eat top minutes and push them into appropriate roles. Even if it's just Walman-Ceci redux, we need to go get those players.

I am really curious what they do with Dickinson if they draft Schaefer. It would be hard to justify sending Schaefer back to keep Dickinson but it would be asking a lot to keep 2 teenage defenseman on the same side throughout the year.

I would argue that keeping both up would be best and let the team succeed or fail because of the young defense. In this case I would be willing to grossly overpay for Ekblad as I think he would be the perfect partner to babysit Schaefer on a “top pair”. Ferraro and Muk have already not looked terrible playing top pair 25 minutes a night so they could step up if Schaefer struggles. Then Dickinson and Liljegren could be bottom pair. With that carrying 8 D to allow more development opportunities for the young guys having Desharnais and Thrun/Vlasic would work.

That would be my ideal offseason for the D.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I am really curious what they do with Dickinson if they draft Schaefer. It would be hard to justify sending Schaefer back to keep Dickinson but it would be asking a lot to keep 2 teenage defenseman on the same side throughout the year.

I would argue that keeping both up would be best and let the team succeed or fail because of the young defense. In this case I would be willing to grossly overpay for Ekblad as I think he would be the perfect partner to babysit Schaefer on a “top pair”. Ferraro and Muk have already not looked terrible playing top pair 25 minutes a night so they could step up if Schaefer struggles. Then Dickinson and Liljegren could be bottom pair. With that carrying 8 D to allow more development opportunities for the young guys having Desharnais and Thrun/Vlasic would work.

That would be my ideal offseason for the D.

I'm so Schaefer-pilled that I'm convinced he could play NHL top-4 next season. But don't take my word here, I'm biased.

It's such a tough decision simply because bottom-pairing defensemen are tougher to hide than bottom-6 forwards and like you said, having two teenage defensemen isn't exactly a recipe for success. Echoing a previous post I made, a D core like Schaefer-Ekblad/Ferraro-Mukhamadullin/Dickinson-Liljegren would be ideal. But is it best for Schaefer's and Dickinson's long-term development? That's a question I can't answer.

It would be incredibly fun to have them both play NHL hoping for a Celebrini/Smith-like off-ice chemistry to blossom, and both those guys have said that having each other made the transition to pro hockey and dealing with the ups and downs of a tough season manageable. But maybe you have to wait until 2026 for that to happen.

(Is this inspired by how funny it would be to called them "DickSchaef"? Yes, I never claimed to be mature.)

 

[Star Platinum]

I am really curious what they do with Dickinson if they draft Schaefer. It would be hard to justify sending Schaefer back to keep Dickinson but it would be asking a lot to keep 2 teenage defenseman on the same side throughout the year.

I would argue that keeping both up would be best and let the team succeed or fail because of the young defense. In this case I would be willing to grossly overpay for Ekblad as I think he would be the perfect partner to babysit Schaefer on a “top pair”. Ferraro and Muk have already not looked terrible playing top pair 25 minutes a night so they could step up if Schaefer struggles. Then Dickinson and Liljegren could be bottom pair. With that carrying 8 D to allow more development opportunities for the young guys having Desharnais and Thrun/Vlasic would work.

That would be my ideal offseason for the D.

Whereever Schaefer ends up next year, I doubt it will be the NHL. Very young and missed an important year of development. As a player, despite his age, I would say he's more developed than Dickinson, but he needs a year to continue to work on his game.

 

[timorous me]

Whereever Schaefer ends up next year, I doubt it will be the NHL. Very young and missed an important year of development. As a player, despite his age, I would say he's more developed than Dickinson, but he needs a year to continue to work on his game.

Yeah, I don't think it would be hard to justify keeping Dickinson up and having Schaefer go back to juniors or to college. Dickinson effectively has 1 1/2 more seasons of development, which is pretty significant, no matter how good Schaefer is. And it's not like Dickinson is untalented, or has size questions, or any particular concerns other than being a young d-man.

 

[LadyStanley]

Left game after 2 shifts

 

[Hodge]

Left game after 2 shifts

Lol playoff hopes over for Edmonton. Wonder if McDavid finally gets out of that dump?

 

[karltonian]

The Desharnais acquisition is as baffling as it was on day 1. If he didn't have another year on his contract, I would have been fine with it.

We simply cannot have another year with him, Vlasic, and Thrun on the team. Launch them all into the sun as far as I'm concerned.

big
man big
big man good
big good man big