RW Collin Graf (2021 undrafted; Signed by SJS)

[Boy Hedican]

Great job GMMG. Once again using his Boston ties to bring talent to SJ. Just like my parents did! Heeeeeeeeeey

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Lol sure but the Jack Malones and Marshall Warrens aren't the reason BC and Michigan are in those games to begin with.

Missed this one when it was posted. True. I left out Ethan Edwards, Case McCarthy, Eamon Powell and a bunch of upperclassmen who played key roles for their respective teams.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Excited to see him play. He'll get great opportunity.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Neat.

 

[bigdog16]

Missed this one when it was posted. True. I left out Ethan Edwards, Case McCarthy, Eamon Powell and a bunch of upperclassmen who played key roles for their respective teams.

I'm not sure what your point is here. Two of those guys are 21 and McCarthy didn't play a "key" role for BU. He is a fine dman but certainly is not the reason why BU is where they are

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I'm not sure what your point is here. Two of those guys are 21 and McCarthy didn't play a "key" role for BU. He is a fine dman but certainly is not the reason why BU is where they are

He's the team captain.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Smart. Not enough college FAs choose destinations that maximize their opportunity. Most of them won't pan out regardless, but so many go to big market / good teams and then get buried.

If you’re not an instant lineup guy, you should go somewhere with a weak prospect pool which is often a good team. If you are an instant lineup guy than picking a bad team makes more sense. I was surprised that Graf was getting rumored so heavily to Bruins since he’s the latter and not the former. Good fit for him in San Jose even if it feels like a top rope signing. Congrats Sharks fans. I love this kid’s game. I think every team would trade their second round pick for him.

 

[Beniersgeron]

Top 10 in points in AHL in his rookie season, have the Sharks gotten themself another Pavelski here?

 

[Patty Ice]

Top 10 in points in AHL in his rookie season, have the Sharks gotten themself another Pavelski here?

I don't know about Pavelski but if I don't see why he couldn't be a regular NHL bottom 6 guy.

 

[bigdog16]

Top 10 in points in AHL in his rookie season, have the Sharks gotten themself another Pavelski here?

It will be tough to compare once Graf is called up. SJ was loaded and Pavelski had a lot to work with when he stepped in. Will be the exact opposite for Graf

 

[Juxtaposer]

Top 10 in points in AHL in his rookie season, have the Sharks gotten themself another Pavelski here?

I wouldn't go that far, but there's a ton to like with Graf. I assumed he'd be another junior-style scorer when we signed him but he's actually quite effective defensively and on the forecheck as well as having NHL-quality offensive skill. Good skater with a strong motor. Needs to bulk up more, but I think he can become a good third liner on a good team.

 

[Beniersgeron]

Leading AHL in points with 19 as a rookie... damn

 

[Juxtaposer]

Leading AHL in points with 19 as a rookie... damn

Plus great defensive play, high motor, and strong forechecking. Guy's gonna be an NHLer sooner rather than later.

 

[Kcoyote3]

I wouldn't go that far, but there's a ton to like with Graf. I assumed he'd be another junior-style scorer when we signed him but he's actually quite effective defensively and on the forecheck as well as having NHL-quality offensive skill. Good skater with a strong motor. Needs to bulk up more, but I think he can become a good third liner on a good team.

Last year I was a bit concerned about his speed but this year he has looked much much faster. I agree with most of this. Seems to be adjusting to pro-style hockey nicely.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Last year I was a bit concerned about his speed but this year he has looked much much faster. I agree with most of this. Seems to be adjusting to pro-style hockey nicely.

He's definitely looked stronger and faster than what he was in the NHL at the end of last season, that's for sure.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Leading AHL in points with 19 as a rookie... damn

Small nitpick, but calling him a rookie is a little silly.

He’s 22 years old. Technically, he’s a rookie, but there are teenagers and 20 year olds that are also rookies.

Should just say he’s well over 1PPG. That says a lot more than comparing him to some 2024 draftee.

 

[Patty Ice]

Small nitpick, but calling him a rookie is a little silly.

He’s 22 years old. Technically, he’s a rookie, but there are teenagers and 20 year olds that are also rookies.

Should just say he’s well over 1PPG. That says a lot more than comparing him to some 2024 draftee.

How teenagers are playing in the AHL though?

Cagnoni is one but he will be 20 before the year is done.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

How teenagers are playing in the AHL though?

10 U20 players. I'm not even counting those who are late birthday U21's that haven't yet turned 20, such as Cagnoni.

 

[TheBeard]

Last year I was a bit concerned about his speed but this year he has looked much much faster. I agree with most of this. Seems to be adjusting to pro-style hockey nicely.

I always felt lack of speed could be easily neutralized with great instincts and I think he has those.

 

[Beniersgeron]

Small nitpick, but calling him a rookie is a little silly.

He’s 22 years old. Technically, he’s a rookie, but there are teenagers and 20 year olds that are also rookies.

Should just say he’s well over 1PPG. That says a lot more than comparing him to some 2024 draftee.

Sorry bro, I disagree, he is a rookie despite being 22 years old in AHL. This is his first season in the pro league if Im not misstaken? which is way better than Kaprizov and Panarin situation who won the Calder Trophy after playing years in KHL pro league. I know its tomatoe and potatoe comparison, but just wanna get it out there.

 

[EXTRAS]

Fair chance stankoven wins NHL calder trophy and Graf is only 4 months older than him. Don't think anyone would say stankoven isn't a rookie and this is his 2nd pro year....c'mon.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Sorry bro, I disagree, he is a rookie despite being 22 years old in AHL. This is his first season in the pro league if Im not misstaken? which is way better than Kaprizov and Panarin situation who won the Calder Trophy after playing years in KHL pro league. I know its tomatoe and potatoe comparison, but just wanna get it out there.

Fair chance stankoven wins NHL calder trophy and Graf is only 4 months older than him. Don't think anyone would say stankoven isn't a rookie and this is his 2nd pro year....c'mon.

We can't seriously be comparing NHL rookies with AHL rookies.

I think either way the age of a player when they are a rookie is a relevant factor into how impressive it is.

 

[MS]

We can't seriously be comparing NHL rookies with AHL rookies.

I think either way the age of a player when they are a rookie is a relevant factor into how impressive it is.

I've never heard anyone ever have an issue with calling a 22 y/o AHLer from an NCAA background a 'rookie pro'.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I've never heard anyone ever have an issue with calling a 22 y/o AHLer from an NCAA background a 'rookie pro'.

So you've never heard anyone having an issue with people calling a 26 year old a rookie in the NHL? Because that's essentially what it is. The AHL is a developmental league. He's somewhat old (not terribly, but getting there) for a guy that is a legitimate prospect that is likely to play NHL games.

As I said, it technically is true that he's a rookie pro, but framing it that way is a little misleading. That's why I suggest it lends more credence to what he's done by explaining what he's accomplishing compared to all, not trying to act like he's on a level playing field as a rookie with Konsta Helenius (nearly 4 years younger).

 

[WarriorofTime]

All anyone said is "in his rookie season". Only you read into that the implied impressiveness.