Prospect Info: Sharks Prospect Info & Discussion Megathread XXI: "New, improved, and wayyyy too much info" Edition

[TheBeard]

Chip on shoulder Musty coming in hard next year

Maybe. But there’s certainly a cause for concern that he hasn’t been even invited two years in a row.

 

[Alaskanice]

Maybe. But there’s certainly a cause for concern that he hasn’t been even invited two years in a row.

It’s because US hockey has unreasonable expectations for players. It’s at times not about who deserves it.

 

[Hodge]

Hope to see Team USA humiliated without Smith and Musty.

 

[LilLeeroy]

Maybe. But there’s certainly a cause for concern that he hasn’t been even invited two years in a row.

He's looked good at the summer showcases

 

[TheBeard]

He was invited last year?

If I remember correctly he was not.

It’s because US hockey has unreasonable expectations for players. It’s at times not about who deserves it.

That may be the case but there’s obviously a reason they keep not inviting him despite what he does on the ice.

 

[Alaskanice]

If I remember correctly he was not.


That may be the case but there’s obviously a reason they keep not inviting him despite what he does on the ice.

That’s the unreasonable part.

 

[TheBeard]

That’s the unreasonable part.

I'm not saying it's not, but there's a reason they decided to be unreasonable specifically with him, and it's obviously not because of his on-ice production.

 

[SoftDumpInTheCorner]

Maybe. But there’s certainly a cause for concern that he hasn’t been even invited two years in a row.

Musty shunning the USNDP for the OHL a few years ago probably has a lot to do with USA Hockey being petty and not his skill level.

 

[SoftDumpInTheCorner]

How Musty comes to camp next fall will define his career IMO. Buck up and overcome adversity or fade away. He doesn't have to win a spot, but if he doesn't show he's close to the NHL, then things become a bit more uncomfortable.

Will be interesting as to what happens at trade deadline this year and free agency. Grier wants a competitive environment and if he retains some players in the bottom 6 or adds up top in the top 6 its going to be more difficult for Musty to step in out of camp.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Hope to see Team USA humiliated without Smith and Musty.

Well, to be fair, I understand them not inviting Smith since he's not going to go...

 

[Juxtaposer]

Will be interesting as to what happens at trade deadline this year and free agency. Grier wants a competitive environment and if he retains some players in the bottom 6 or adds up top in the top 6 its going to be more difficult for Musty to step in out of camp.

Obviously what the plan is will come more into focus after the deadline, but assuming Granlund doesn't come back, I have this as the skeleton for next year:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
XXX-Wennberg-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
Goodrow-XXX-XXX

In the mix for those spots would be Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Musty, Graf, Bystedt, 2025 1st (if a forward), Kunin (unfortunately Grier could bring him back), Kostin, Cardwell, and whatever UFAs are out there. I'd look to Graf for the LW on Wennberg's line, and Bystedt and Cardwell to fill out the fourth line. Third line seems wide open for Musty to take a spot, he just has to grab it. Kostin, Kunin, or a UFA would be ideal for the other third line wing spot. Someone like Ehlers, Bennett, Nelson, Marchand, or Boeser would be ideal, but I doubt they'd come to SJ if they even get to FA, so maybe FA isn't the answer and we finally go big game hunting via trade.

Long walk for a short drink of water: there's probably a spot for Musty if he earns it. But he has to earn it.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Obviously what the plan is will come more into focus after the deadline, but assuming Granlund doesn't come back, I have this as the skeleton for next year:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
XXX-Wennberg-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
Goodrow-XXX-XXX

In the mix for those spots would be Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Musty, Graf, Bystedt, 2025 1st (if a forward), Kunin (unfortunately Grier could bring him back), Kostin, Cardwell, and whatever UFAs are out there. I'd look to Graf for the LW on Wennberg's line, and Bystedt and Cardwell to fill out the fourth line. Third line seems wide open for Musty to take a spot, he just has to grab it. Kostin, Kunin, or a UFA would be ideal for the other third line wing spot. Someone like Ehlers, Bennett, Nelson, Marchand, or Boeser would be ideal, but I doubt they'd come to SJ if they even get to FA, so maybe FA isn't the answer and we finally go big game hunting via trade.

Long walk for a short drink of water: there's probably a spot for Musty if he earns it. But he has to earn it.

This is a good plan. But I suspect that there is going to be a youth cap. Imagine if Graf, Musty, Cardwell, and Bystedt all play well enough to justify making the team. That's an awfully raw forward group.

Feels like the prudent move might be to move some futures for an established #1 d-man.

 

[timorous me]

Obviously what the plan is will come more into focus after the deadline, but assuming Granlund doesn't come back, I have this as the skeleton for next year:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
XXX-Wennberg-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
Goodrow-XXX-XXX

In the mix for those spots would be Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Musty, Graf, Bystedt, 2025 1st (if a forward), Kunin (unfortunately Grier could bring him back), Kostin, Cardwell, and whatever UFAs are out there. I'd look to Graf for the LW on Wennberg's line, and Bystedt and Cardwell to fill out the fourth line. Third line seems wide open for Musty to take a spot, he just has to grab it. Kostin, Kunin, or a UFA would be ideal for the other third line wing spot. Someone like Ehlers, Bennett, Nelson, Marchand, or Boeser would be ideal, but I doubt they'd come to SJ if they even get to FA, so maybe FA isn't the answer and we finally go big game hunting via trade.

Long walk for a short drink of water: there's probably a spot for Musty if he earns it. But he has to earn it.

With the way this year has gone for Musty, I'm basically looking at next season as a complete developmental year with the Barracuda, and if he does see action with the Sharks, it'll be either post-deadline or a sign that he's playing like a man possessed.

I just hope he can go into next year not feeling big pressure (he shouldn't; he doesn't have to be a savior, which is another underrated aspect of having Celebrini leading the rebuild). With the right advice from Grier and the coaches and development guys, he can approach next season as a learning year with a target of being a regular in '26 (god that feels weird to write and I suddenly feel very old!).

I could definitely see Kunin coming back--which isn't necessarily a bad thing, as he is looking like a different player a year removed from his ACL injury--and we'll see about Kostin and Dellandrea. I'd love to see Bystedt take the 4C job out of camp. Is there room for both him and Cardwell and maybe even Graf on the roster? Hopefully Graf gets some decent run later this season to see how his game looks at this level after more seasoning.

Getting into all that...yeah, Musty needs to be prepared to hunker down in the AHL next season. But I really hope people don't give him crap for that and act like it means he's a bust (even though we all know some certainly will do just that).

 

[gaucholoco3]

Obviously what the plan is will come more into focus after the deadline, but assuming Granlund doesn't come back, I have this as the skeleton for next year:

Eklund-Celebrini-Zetterlund
XXX-Wennberg-Toffoli
XXX-Smith-XXX
Goodrow-XXX-XXX

In the mix for those spots would be Grundstrom, Dellandrea, Musty, Graf, Bystedt, 2025 1st (if a forward), Kunin (unfortunately Grier could bring him back), Kostin, Cardwell, and whatever UFAs are out there. I'd look to Graf for the LW on Wennberg's line, and Bystedt and Cardwell to fill out the fourth line. Third line seems wide open for Musty to take a spot, he just has to grab it. Kostin, Kunin, or a UFA would be ideal for the other third line wing spot. Someone like Ehlers, Bennett, Nelson, Marchand, or Boeser would be ideal, but I doubt they'd come to SJ if they even get to FA, so maybe FA isn't the answer and we finally go big game hunting via trade.

Long walk for a short drink of water: there's probably a spot for Musty if he earns it. But he has to earn it.

I do think an experienced C would be nice. It would be tough to go into the season with only Celebrini, Wennberg, Smith, and Bystedt as the NHL C’s. An injury to any of them would be impossible to overcome.

 

[one2gamble]

This is a good plan. But I suspect that there is going to be a youth cap.

There shouldn't be

 

[Juxtaposer]

I do think an experienced C would be nice. It would be tough to go into the season with only Celebrini, Wennberg, Smith, and Bystedt as the NHL C’s. An injury to any of them would be impossible to overcome.

Dellandrea is still under contract and can play C. Goodrow can play C as well. As I mentioned, I think Brock Nelson would be a good guy to go after, as a veteran winger who can absolutely play center when necessary.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

I’m gonna hold out hope Grier can do the impossible thing, which is trade Granlund at the deadline, and then sign him in the offseason. I know. I know. It never happens.

But Granny has been a rookie whisperer since he’s been here, and we’ve got more young guys coming. He’s perfect in the sense that, while better suited for some roles, he can convincingly play anywhere in our top 9. I think that has been super helpful for the team as Warso is figuring out where the young players fit in.

 

[Shark Finn]

I’m gonna hold out hope Grier can do the impossible thing, which is trade Granlund at the deadline, and then sign him in the offseason. I know. I know. It never happens.

But Granny has been a rookie whisperer since he’s been here, and we’ve got more young guys coming. He’s perfect in the sense that, while better suited for some roles, he can convincingly play anywhere in our top 9. I think that has been super helpful for the team as Warso is figuring out where the young players fit in.

Granlund fits the Sharks perfectly at the moment but no one can't really fault him if he moves to a team with Cup aspirations.

 

[sampler]

This o

I’m gonna hold out hope Grier can do the impossible thing, which is trade Granlund at the deadline, and then sign him in the offseason. I know. I know. It never happens.

But Granny has been a rookie whisperer since he’s been here, and we’ve got more young guys coming. He’s perfect in the sense that, while better suited for some roles, he can convincingly play anywhere in our top 9. I think that has been super helpful for the team as Warso is figuring out where the young players fit in.

This is my hope as well. Makes no sense at all not to move him for likely at least a 1st rounder at the deadline if he keeps it up. However, I also love his leadership on and off the ice. He’s the de facto captain, hands down.

Still a few months before such decisions must be made. However, the Sharks sure looked poised to make a PO run next year. Not trading away the future to do it, but I don’t think anyone wants a last place finish next year for a top 2026 pick. Clearly, 2025-26 is go time to make a run, and making that run will not be possible without at least 2 or 3 more top 6 forwards (granny could be one of them) and 1 top pair dman.

Personally I wouldn’t complain at all if he was resigned for a reasonable deal: 3x7 or something like that assuming he stays healthy the rest of this year.

 

[Hodge]

I’m gonna hold out hope Grier can do the impossible thing, which is trade Granlund at the deadline, and then sign him in the offseason. I know. I know. It never happens.

But Granny has been a rookie whisperer since he’s been here, and we’ve got more young guys coming. He’s perfect in the sense that, while better suited for some roles, he can convincingly play anywhere in our top 9. I think that has been super helpful for the team as Warso is figuring out where the young players fit in.

I don’t give a shit about getting a late 2nd and 3rd round pick or whatever the Granlund return is. If Grier and the front office want to keep him around to mentor the kids and give us another option at center, just extend him.

 

[coooldude]

I don’t give a shit about getting a late 2nd and 3rd round pick or whatever the Granlund return is. If Grier and the front office want to keep him around to mentor the kids and give us another option at center, just extend him.

I agree, based on how well he's meshing with the youth. The return isn't worth the extra pick unless Grier hits it out of the park, and I just don't think that's realistic. If Mike's vision is what I think it is, we are going to try to take a big step next year as well and we will need a Granlund-style player to do it, and maybe another veteran F on top of that, and we already have one in the building. Trade him for some player who might impact in 5 years or be a trade chip, why? Sign him and we still need to add another in FA.

 

[Hodge]

I agree, based on how well he's meshing with the youth. The return isn't worth the extra pick unless Grier hits it out of the park, and I just don't think that's realistic. If Mike's vision is what I think it is, we are going to try to take a big step next year as well and we will need a Granlund-style player to do it, and maybe another veteran F on top of that, and we already have one in the building. Trade him for some player who might impact in 5 years or be a trade chip, why? Sign him and we still need to add another in FA.

Yeah even if we do trade Granlund whatever picks we get in return will probably have to be part of a package to acquire his replacement unless we get lucky in free agency and someone like Frederic or Vatrano wants to sign with us (still downgrades from Granlund).

 

[Juxtaposer]

Sam Dickinson. What else is there to say.

 

[jMoneyBrah]

I don’t give a shit about getting a late 2nd and 3rd round pick or whatever the Granlund return is. If Grier and the front office want to keep him around to mentor the kids and give us another option at center, just extend him.

Is the going rate for a center putting up a 30g/90p pace a late 2nd and 3rd? I feel like the return could be significantly better than that.

However, if you’re right, I’ll concede that I’d prefer Grier simply extend Granlund over playing games for a couple of 2nd/3rd rounders.

 

[sampler]

Btw, when is cherny gunna start playing? I was excited to see him in action since he was supposed to be a first rounder, possibly in the teens.

Also, the D competition could be realllly fun next year in camp. BDE is obviously ready to go pro, although whether he can jump into the nhl or has to go back to juniors is tbd. In some ways, because of his age, he gets the inside track. Still, cagnoni is making pretty good case. And pohlcamp is likely to go pro too.

I wish musty, bystedt, and cherny were having better years. Those three are the top dogs for the next gen and none of ‘em are making an nhl ready case for next year just yet.