GDT: Preseason game 6: Sharks @ Vegas 7:00pm stream on sharks.nhl.com

[Alaskanice]

If Daniel goes down, it’s a numbers game. He can go down without fear of being claimed. Will the Sharks take that chance with others? I’m not sure if this is about the fans holding Wars to account.

 

[karltonian]

Dis is da winnin season

That song was so bad it got us Timo Meier

 

[Kcoyote3]

Every team preaches this at every training camp and fans take it at face value. The truth is contract status and waiver eligibility determine 99% of roster decisions.

I'm sure Gushchin (+ Graf, Cardwell and Cagnoni) has improved his standing within the org for future call-ups so I'm not saying camp is completely meaningless but it's also insane that anyone acts like 2 weeks of September hockey should overrule years and years of past performance.

If it were up to me I would dump Kostin and put Gushchin on the opening night roster but I can also understand why the front office would value KK's size and experience. At the end of the day, whether or not someone makes the opening night roster is just not that serious. There will certainly be injuries, likely early on, that will open up a spot for Gushchin.

I think it isn’t a big deal for bigger players and former first rounders. They get chances upon chances until they burn out at 26. Small guys and later rounders like Gushchin, this may be the only shot to stick in an NHL lineup his entire career.

It also isn’t just two weeks of performance. He’s been improving every year since he was drafted and was one of the best AHL players in the league last year. This isn’t just a one time event. He’s been consistently good for years

 

[jMoneyBrah]

If Daniel goes down, it’s a numbers game. He can go down without fear of being claimed. Will the Sharks take that chance with others? I’m not sure if this is about the fans holding Wars to account.

Frankly, who going down instead of Goose is worth crying over? Am I supposed to be disappointed if Grundstom or Givani Smith get claimed?

 

[Hodge]

I think it isn’t a big deal for bigger players and former first rounders. They get chances upon chances until they burn out at 26. Small guys and later rounders like Gushchin, this may be the only shot to stick in an NHL lineup his entire career.

It also isn’t just two weeks of performance. He’s been improving every year since he was drafted and was one of the best AHL players in the league last year. This isn’t just a one time event. He’s been consistently good for years

Yeah but guys like Kunin, Goodrow and Dellandrea who people seem willing to throw overboard to accommodate Gushchin have extensive NHL track records. That carries a lot more weight than anything Gush has done in the AHL.

 

[Alaskanice]

My point is the waivers situation. Nothing personal.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Yeah but guys like Kunin, Goodrow and Dellandrea who people seem willing to throw overboard to accommodate Gushchin have extensive NHL track records. That carries a lot more weight than anything Gush has done in the AHL.

Just one of G. Smith who is essentially an AHL/NHL tweener or Kostin who we got for free last deadline.

 

[Hodge]

Just one of G. Smith who is essentially an AHL/NHL tweener or Kostin who we got for free last deadline.

Those guys are probably the 13th and 14th forwards right now though. If Gush makes the team he's likely bumping one of Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Sturm, Goodrow or Kunin (unlikely it would be one of the last two) out of the actual lineup and those players have all proven to be useful bottom six forwards over several NHL seasons. It's not unreasonable to weigh that more heavily than Gushchin's AHL track record and preseason performance.

 

[Erep]

Just one of G. Smith who is essentially an AHL/NHL tweener or Kostin who we got for free last deadline.

I maintain, it has to be Kostin. As much as they need to make an example of Gushchin being rewarded, they need to make an example of Kostin's inconsistent effort being punished.

 

[Cas]

If Daniel goes down, it’s a numbers game. He can go down without fear of being claimed. Will the Sharks take that chance with others? I’m not sure if this is about the fans holding Wars to account.

I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation dumping any of Givani Smith, Kostin, Kunin, Grundstrom, Goodrow, or Sturm - they're a collection of 12th-14th forwards or worse (Smith probably would be AHL fodder on even a mediocre team) who will not be part of the next good Sharks team. Some of them wouldn't even be claimed anyway.

 

[one2gamble]

Those guys are probably the 13th and 14th forwards right now though. If Gush makes the team he's likely bumping one of Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Sturm, Goodrow or Kunin (unlikely it would be one of the last two) out of the actual lineup

He's been playing better hockey than all of them

 

[Star Platinum]

Frankly, who going down instead of Goose is worth crying over? Am I supposed to be disappointed if Grundstom or Givani Smith get claimed?

I'm still utterly jiggered as to what Warsofsky sees in Smith.

 

[DCFog81]

Oh, okay. That's why VGK keeps trading away their draft picks

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

I'm still utterly jiggered as to what Warsofsky sees in Smith.

I read this without reading the quoted post and thought you were talking about Will, which still works. Gushchin is a better player by far today, yet the other is guaranteed a top 9 spot.

If I'm Gushchin though I request a trade for sure now. Guy will get guaranteed top 6 minutes on at least 20 other teams opening night. Has not only shown in every single NHL game he's played that he looks like a complete NHLer, but also came into camp and dominated which is exactly what they said to do. If Grier/Warso's plan is to dump their entire youth movement into only Celebrini/Smith, it won't be long before the rest of the younger guys become soured like Bordeleau and now Gushchin.

 

[TheBeard]

Guy will get guaranteed top 6 minutes on at least 20 other teams opening night.

I’m rooting for him to make the squad but that’s not true.

 

[landshark]

Danil Gushchin on the ice, so quick,
In teal and black, his moves are slick.
Five assists, he plays with grace,
Setting the pace in every race.
CHORUS
Against the Knights, in Vegas' glare,
He finds the open lane with care.
Puck to stick, and then it flies,
As goals are born from his keen eyes.
CHORUS
A final game, a preseason thrill,
Gushchin's vision, sharp and still.
He weaves the plays, and makes them shine,
A future star, his path aligns.
CHORUS

Feels like it should be to the tune of "Blue Tail Fly".

CHORUS:
Gushchin scores more, and I don't care
Gushchin scores more, and I don't care
David Quinn's gone away

 

[mogambomoroo]

At this point it's organizational obligation to stand behind their words about earning a spot on the roster. I don't necessary see Gusch as the long term player for the team we are building but for right now he has deserved a chance to play for the big club.

As much as I stand behind decisions involving veteran presence, I want to see them take a risk with a player that is tied for most points this pre season.
(Even if it's only pre season, if you are tied for most points in any context you are doing something right)

If Gusch totally botches his tenure in the big club, it was still risk totally worth taking. He needs to take the next step for either trade value or team value.

It's good for the organization, players and the future. It's all about the competition.