NEW: Mega Mailbag 2: What Should Sharks Do With No. 2 Pick?

[Kcoyote3]

Super grateful that Craig would come on our podcast.

As a Martone fan I wasn't super impressed with the reasons he liked Martone tbh. I like Martone because near the net and with the puck on his stick, he has some of the best hands, best playmaking talent and some of the best puck placement in the draft. His size is a factor but he's not actually that great at using it yet. Anyways, just my two cents.

 

[Star Platinum]

Super grateful that Craig would come on our podcast.

As a Martone fan I wasn't super impressed with the reasons he liked Martone tbh. I like Martone because near the net and with the puck on his stick, he has some of the best hands, best playmaking talent and some of the best puck placement in the draft. His size is a factor but he's not actually that great at using it yet. Anyways, just my two cents.

I still am hoping someone can give examples of guys who are physical power forwards in the NHL who played that way when they were in juniors or pre-NCAA. If people are gonna knock Martone for not being terribly physical now, I'd like to know if that's unusual for big junior level forwards or not.

Not that I think it matters because we're taking Misa anyway.

 

[coooldude]

I still am hoping someone can give examples of guys who are physical power forwards in the NHL who played that way when they were in juniors or pre-NCAA. If people are gonna knock Martone for not being terribly physical now, I'd like to know if that's unusual for big junior level forwards or not.

Not that I think it matters because we're taking Misa anyway.

Just one example of a PF who played like one in junior:

Tkachuk’s skating was originally an area of concern, but he worked hard to improve his game during London’s highly successful season and by the end of the season, was able to keep up with one of the fastest players in all of major junior hockey in Marner. His puck skills, tenacity in the offensive zone, and playmaking abilities were never in question, however, and led to a second place finish atop the OHL leaderboards with 77 assists. He is strong on his skates and along the boards, and is willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice and retrieve the puck for his linemates. His greatest offensive weapon is unquestionably his shot, as he has the ability to rip hard, accurate shots in the blink of an eye. He makes the opposition take notice on every shift, and his grittiness in the offensive zone is reminiscent of his father, former NHL power forward Keith Tkachuk.

Matthew Tkachuk – The Next Ones: NHL 2016 Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Prospects Latest News, Analysis & More

Matthew Tkachuk 2015-16 Team: London Knights (#7) Date of birth: December 11th, 1997 Place of birth: Scottsdale, Arizona Ht: 6’1″ Wt: 195 lbs Shoots: Left Position: Left Wing NHL Draft Eligibility: 2016 1st year eligible…

thehockeywriters.com

 

[weastern bias]

I still am hoping someone can give examples of guys who are physical power forwards in the NHL who played that way when they were in juniors or pre-NCAA. If people are gonna knock Martone for not being terribly physical now, I'd like to know if that's unusual for big junior level forwards or not.

Not that I think it matters because we're taking Misa anyway.

Forget showing a tenacity or a will to impose his physical presence, Martone isn't competitive in board battles or willing to hit hard enough to separate teenagers from the puck in his own zone

The entire narrative of Martone as potential power forward is built entirely on his physical measurements, Michael Misa plays a harder-edged game than he does, if you want someone who plays "playoff style hockey" then casting Porter Martone in that role is nothing more than wish-casting, he hasn't shown anything to make anyone think he has that in his game, Misa is at least competing for pucks along the wall with a consistent effort, which is something Martone doesn't really do

The absolute ceiling comparable for Martone isn't Matthew Tkachuk, it's Mikko Rantanen, and that's an awesome, awesome player, but like Rantanen, Martone vanishes from view for the times he isn't contributing to the score sheet

 

[Star Platinum]

Forget showing a tenacity or a will to impose his physical presence, Martone isn't competitive in board battles or willing to hit hard enough to separate teenagers from the puck in his own zone

The entire narrative of Martone as potential power forward is built entirely on his physical measurements, Michael Misa plays a harder-edged game than he does, if you want someone who plays "playoff style hockey" then casting Porter Martone in that role is nothing more than wish-casting, he hasn't shown anything to make anyone think he has that in his game, Misa is at least competing for pucks along the wall with a consistent effort, which is something Martone doesn't really do

The absolute ceiling comparable for Martone isn't Matthew Tkachuk, it's Mikko Rantanen, and that's an awesome, awesome player, but like Rantanen, Martone vanishes from view for the times he isn't contributing to the score sheet

I could learn to live with Rantanen on this team

But I concur. Misa plays the way people think Martone should play, but just in a "not as developed physically" way. He reminds me a bit of Celebrini in terms of puck pursuit.

 

[coooldude]

Rantanen is absolutely the right ceiling comp, but Rantanen is a better skater and always was -- criticism of his skating was already mitigated by draft year. I still can't get over that we didn't pick him and went with Meier instead.

Draft Profile: Mikko Rantanen – The Draft Analyst

www.thedraftanalyst.com

This one says his skating is choppy but just fine. Also notable that he was already 6'4" in his draft year.

Mikko Rantanen – The Next Ones: NHL 2015 Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers Latest News, Analysis & More

Having played against men since he was 16-years old, Mikko Rantanen brings an offensive game that can't be denied. He may be a top 10 pick.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[matt trick]

Call me crazy, but I'd rather have a 2nd premier (say top 20) two-way C than a top 5-10 winger. If Martone's Tkachuk, Perry, Rantanen, Forsberg, or Stone that'd be incredible, but I don't think he'll reach that level.

I see Misa as a Suzuki, Thomas, or Larkin type. I'd prefer Tkachuk, Perry, or Rantanen to those types, but those are top 5-8 wingers (along with Kucherov, Kaprizov, Pasta, and Marner).

I think it's more likely Martone ends up like a Byfeld, Slaf, or Boldy. Like them he's big, strong, and skilled but not mean. Maybe he'll develop it. Really, really good first line winger, who creates a matchup problem, but I'd say two-way Cs drive play more which creates more matchup problems. I'd also argue you could get a guy like those three (or more realistically, a guy like Meier) for a lot less than a borderline 1C.

Even in a scenario where you end up with 2026 1st overall (via lottery win, not performance God willing) after drafting Misa, I think he, Celebrini, Smith, McKenna, Cherny, Eklund, and Musty have enough size and grit. Sure you'd be targeting a guy like Marchment or Tuch to fill out the top 9, but Celebrini, Misa, Cherny, and Ek are pretty big or gritty. Also, I think you'd have teams on the backfoot and afraid of committing penalties. More likely we're probably adding a RHD or Beltchetz/Roobroeck than McKenna, Stenberg, or Bjork.

 

[SJS1991]

There are only 3 names I want to hear at 2OA and that's Schaefer, Misa, and Martone... in that order. I don't disagree with Button on Martone at 2OA if that is your view of him. As others have said though, I don't think he reaches Tkachuk/Perry level. I don't know if Martone has that level of "jam" in his game. It would be a projection at this point, and something you hope develops as he becomes a veteran of the nhl.

I will give Martone this, and I have mentioned it before... he does have the "rat" in his game. He wouldn't be a guy that coaches will need to try and "get that out of him". My main issue with Martone is that the skating is an issue... and if Misa is seating there, I just feel better about that projection because of that skill set.

Unless if you tell me Smith is a no doubt 2C of the future... I think Misa is a better building block. Like Button even mentioned... we can just put Misa and Cheryn on our 2nd line and roll.

 

[The Nemesis]

There needs to be a card handed out that says "always do the opposite of what Craig Button says" because he way too often feels like his rankings and lists are contrarian for the sake of being contrarian or generating attention/disussion.

 

[Jargon]

The thing is, we DO have large wingers in our prospect pool. They may not have Martone’s ceiling, but I feel like Grier drafted a bunch of Martone-lite guys with Musty, Chernyshov, Haltunnen and Lund. Again, he might ultimately blow them all out of the water, but to me, having a Celebrini-lite in Misa is probably more important.

 

[NWSharkie]

That, or we can hope that the Isles do hire Shanahan and they embark on another 10-year plan around the wrong guys. Then we just draft Schaefer.

 

[coooldude]

That, or we can hope that the Isles do hire Shanahan and they embark on another 10-year plan around the wrong guys. Then we just draft Schaefer.

All the talk of Bergevin or Shanahan is setting me up with way too much false hope that they might go for a 1C and spring for a retool.

 

[Jargon]

All the talk of Bergevin or Shanahan is setting me up with way too much false hope that they might go for a 1C and spring for a retool.

Same… re-sign Dobson, bring Misa up right away, etc…

 

[gaucholoco3]

All the talk of Bergevin or Shanahan is setting me up with way too much false hope that they might go for a 1C and spring for a retool.

When I actually took time to look into the team I came to the conclusion that a retool is the only path forward for them. They have too many pieces looked up long term that will keep them from bottoming out so they will be stuck picking in the 10-15 range. They can’t get enough future value from selling off those players to make it worth it. Meanwhile if they resign Dobson and draft Misa they have a solid top 4, solid G, decent top 6 with a future 1C. It might not be cup contenders but with a goalie that can get hot they have the pieces to get into the 3rd round of the playoffs without too much luck needed.