Confirmed Trade: [OTT/SJS] Fabian Zetterlund, Tristen Robins, and 4th round pick for Zack Ostapchuk, Noah Gregor, 2025 2nd round pick

[Icebreakers]

This is basically Zetterlund and a 4th for a 2nd. Everyone else arent nhl players. So Zetterlund moves you up 2 rounds lol.

 

[Boud]

This is basically Zetterlund and a 4th for a 2nd. Everyone else arent nhl players. So Zetterlund moves you up 2 rounds lol.

Ostapchuk has more value than that 2nd rounder so that’s quite confusing to read.

 

[Icebreakers]

Ostapchuk has more value than that 2nd rounder so that’s quite confusing to read.

Yeah i dont understand the obsession.

 

[TheBeard]

They were talking extension with him, so it isn't just for next year and they wanted to keep him at a certain price. If they signed him to a 6-8 year deal and overpaid him, in 3-4 years when Celebrini, Eklund and Smith etc. get paid, all of the sudden Sharks fans are gonna complain that they would have cap space to add x, y and z if Grier didn't sign Zetterlund to that stupid contract.

So instead they trade for another young player who, if works out, will need a contract at the exact same time and, with the cap going up, will probably demand more than what Zetterlund is asking for now?

 

[coooldude]

So instead they trade for another young player who, if works out, will need a contract at the exact same time and, with the cap going up, will probably demand more than what Zetterlund is asking for now?

Look, I'm still salty about the trade, but try to understand the logic and not just poke incorrect holes in it from an upset place. Grier (taken at his word) thinks this kid may be the big, strong, mean 3C that we don't have, like a purer 3C version of Wennberg scoring 0.5ppg, killing penalties, being a menace. And that player is vastly different than Zetterlund in 3 years, who is 28 and not likely all of a sudden a 3rd line menace but almost certainly scoring fewer points than he is today, or being an underwhelming scoring winger if we're honestly trying to build a contender. Ostapchuk has the chance to be the 3C that Grier has been trying to find (Bystedt, Edstrom, Lund, etc).

 

[Lenny Levino]

Damn, Ostapchuk has played 43 games, scored one goal and had three assists. That's like 0.09 PPG.

Zetterlund meanwhile is over 0.5 PPG.

What were they thinking?

 

[Mattb124]

They were talking extension with him, so it isn't just for next year and they wanted to keep him at a certain price. If they signed him to a 6-8 year deal and overpaid him, in 3-4 years when Celebrini, Eklund and Smith etc. get paid, all of the sudden Sharks fans are gonna complain that they would have cap space to add x, y and z if Grier didn't sign Zetterlund to that stupid contract.

They are already complaining about the Goodrow contract which should be off the books before any of our young guys need a raise.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

I appreciate that side of the analysis. I only mean if he priced himself out of SJ, who knows what will happen with a cap strapped team.

Still, that's the GM's problem.

Sens will have lots of cap next year. Forsberg gone. Giroux will sign for a lesser number. Hamonic gone or reduced contract. Cap going up a whole bunch.

They're sitting pretty.

 

[dmcccdmn]

With Zetterlund and Walman both gone, San Jose might have won their last game of the season.

 

[TheBeard]

Look, I'm still salty about the trade, but try to understand the logic and not just poke incorrect holes in it from an upset place. Grier (taken at his word) thinks this kid may be the big, strong, mean 3C that we don't have, like a purer 3C version of Wennberg scoring 0.5ppg, killing penalties, being a menace. And that player is vastly different than Zetterlund in 3 years, who is 28 and not likely all of a sudden a 3rd line menace but almost certainly scoring fewer points than he is today, or being an underwhelming scoring winger if we're honestly trying to build a contender. Ostapchuk has the chance to be the 3C that Grier has been trying to find (Bystedt, Edstrom, Lund, etc).

Did he not say in his presser “this is the last time we’re going to ship guys out”?

Doesn’t sound like someone targeting a player.

Why were they even talking extension then?

 

[SensFactor]

Zetterlund was a great pickup

 

[vortexy]

For Sharks fans wanting some information on Ostapchuk:

Ostapchuk is a good player and he’s very projectable. He’s big, great skater, plays with pace, hits and has grit, willing to fight … and he has some offensive instincts. Do not look at his stat line from this year in the NHL and be dissapointed. He played this year, probably before he was completely ready, because of injuries. He was also playing on the 4th line with players who don’t create offense. After that he played for a bit on the 3rd line with tough matchups, tough thing to do for a guy in his first year.

I think a realistic projection for Ostapchuk is a match-up 3rd line checking center who can put up 30-35 points and probably a bit more in his peak. That’s extremely valuable in today’s NHL. He will 100% be a very good NHLer. There’s no doubt about it. He’s very responsible defensively so what he needs to work on is his confidence to make things happen offensively. He’ll probably be playing at 215ish in his mid 20s.

The only reason Sens traded him is really because they have the depth at center with Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto, Greig and etc. Otherwise I guarantee you Sens would have kept him and molded him for that 3rd line role.

Ostapchuk will be a fan favourite in San Jose. Just be patient with him. He will be a heart and soul guy for you for years to come and will bring a lot of value. Think someone like Adam Lowry.

Thank you for the detailed report on him! Funny you mentioned Adam Lowry as Grier in his media availability compared Ostapchuk to an Adam Lowry type of player.

 

[seafoam]

Ottawa wins this seven days out of the week, Zetterlund can pot 20 goals.

 

[Boud]

Thank you for the detailed report on him! Funny you mentioned Adam Lowry as Grier in his media availability compared Ostapchuk to an Adam Lowry type of player.

I’ll just say I didn’t watch Grier’s presser.

This was based on watching and following Osty for multiple years so I truly believe that he’ll be that type of player. Funny coincidence for sure.

 

[Sota Popinski]

So instead they trade for another young player who, if works out, will need a contract at the exact same time and, with the cap going up, will probably demand more than what Zetterlund is asking for now?

I'm not saying I agree with his decision, but every GM has a limit to what they're willing to pay each player. It happened with Rantanen and Marchand and apparently Zetterlund. It also affects what other players on your team are going to expect on their next deal too. If Zetterlund wants 6M, how do you say no if Eklund wants 8 or 9?

A few months ago, 90% of this board was acting like Grier was a genius for stripping the team down to the studs and stockpiling picks. But he really hasn't done anything until the team starts winning again. With the cap going way up, it won't be as easy to weaponize cap space by taking on unwanted contracts in exchange for draft picks. Hopefully he has plans to use some of the picks and prospects to acquire a really good player next season.

 

[playasRus]

Quite sad to lose Ostapchuk tbh.

Loved him as a prospect since his days in junior

 

[KevinRedkey]

Staois said this deal doesn't happen if they don't make the Cozens trade. Makes me like the Cozens deal even more because that 2nd rounder made this other pick expendable.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

He's 25. This is basically Grier saying he doesn't intend on competing until 2030

Full rebuilds take 6 to 7 years unless you get really lucky or have no State income tax.

 

[Bruce Granville]

I don‘t think this was a good idea for the Sharks.
It‘s like Hawks and Hagel all over again.

 

[ClydeLee]

I don‘t think this was a good idea for the Sharks.
It‘s like Hawks and Hagel all over again.

The hawks traded Hagel to kick off a long term rebuild plan. This is mid rebuild selling a valid future piece away. The timing is way different

 

[ReginKarlssonLehner]

The hawks traded Hagel to kick off a long term rebuild plan. This is mid rebuild selling a valid future piece away. The timing is way different

The price too (sorry sharks fans).

 

[SlapJack]

Staois said this deal doesn't happen if they don't make the Cozens trade. Makes me like the Cozens deal even more because that 2nd rounder made this other pick expendable.

Yeah the 2 deals together made me feel better. No draft picks were lost and the fractional amount of dollar savings they got from the Norris trade did come into play since Zetterlund's contract is paltry.

I don't think I've ever felt this way about 2 individual trades where there were no matching pieces, in that I like both trades grouped together better vs my feeling on them on their own independently. If that makes sense, can't think how to explain it correctly

 

[Icelevel]

Quite sad to lose Ostapchuk tbh.

Loved him as a prospect since his days in junior

Especially when you add that we recently lost other big strong centers with potential like Paul and kastelic. But you gotta do what you gotta do. Still have Halliday

 

[Turin]

Like this a lot for Ottawa. San Jose is tanking too hard too uneccesarily. They’re at risk of delaying meaningful contention under Celebrini too long. There hasn’t been a single successful dynasty that was just young players with veterans here and there as useless plugs. Chicago had guys like Sharp, Hossa, Keith and Campbell. Pittsburgh had Gonchar, Malone, Kunitz, Guerin, Orpik etc. Tampa was almost entirely in its prime.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Like this a lot for Ottawa. San Jose is tanking too hard too uneccesarily. They’re at risk of delaying meaningful contention under Celebrini too long. There hasn’t been a single successful dynasty that was just young players with veterans here and there as useless plugs. Chicago had guys like Sharp, Hossa, Keith and Campbell. Pittsburgh had Gonchar, Malone, Kunitz, Guerin, Orpik etc. Tampa was almost entirely in its prime.

A lot of San Jose's good players are smaller players.

Celebrini, Smith, Zetterlund, Eklund.

A player like Ostapchuk who can bring a lot outside of offense is a rarer player to find who brings that AND can play the game.