Warsofsky said to the media that Musky’s offense shows but his game without the puck needs improvement. He’s not making the Sharks until he develops a B game. Nico Sturm is EXACTLY who he needs to be with on the ice.
Forcing players to change their game completely without allowing them to use their strengths is how you ruin prospects.
Musty will not make the NHL because of his forecheck or “B” game. You put him in positions with skilled players to succeed in the offensive zone which is what will ultimately get him to the NHL. If he can’t create offense in the NHL with skilled players then he is out of the league or that’s when you have him reinvent himself. If he can create offense in the NHL with skilled line-mates but gives up too much on the other end then you have him work on those things or pair him with a player that can cover his shortcomings.
Musty should be with Smith and Zetterlund. That line can be used as a scoring line with heavy O zone starts. If he can’t produce in 9 games with those players then he should get sent back.
I would start the season with:
Kostin - Celebrini - Toffoli
Eklund - Granlund - Dellandrea
Musty - Smith - Zetterlund
Goodrow - Wennberg - Kunin
I think Wennberg or Grundstrom could take Kostin’s Spot and Kunin might take Dellandrea’s spot.