Confirmed with Link: Sharks sign F Collin Graf to ELC

[CaptainShark]

I have been a victim of new-toy-syndrome too often to overrate the first impression, yet it has to be pointed out that Graf has looked really good, especially against the Yotes. Good positioning in the O and D zone, winning some puck-battles, scanning the ice for options. If Kunin wasn’t Kunin, he would have had another assist.

 

[STL Shark]

Agreed, there’s a reason he was undrafted

Yes, it's the fact that he was 5'8 in his draft year and is 6'1 now.

 

[coooldude]

Yes, it's the fact that he was 5'8 in his draft year and is 6'1 now.

Not only 5'8" but 5'8" 145lbs, unlike brick house Luca C, 5'8" 185.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

I liked what I saw in his first two games. He was always aware of what was going on and made some good passes/plays. He got run over a couple of times but nothing too unexpected for such a transition.

Good grab by GMMG!

 

[Wedontneedroads]

Kid looks good.

He has a bit of dishonesty/deception to his game that lulls opponents into a false sense of security while he looks for quick sneaky plays. That feed to Bailey was absolute class.

Keep feeding him minutes and see where it goes.

 

[landshark]

Kid looks good.

He has a bit of dishonesty/deception to his game that lulls opponents into a false sense of security while he looks for quick sneaky plays. That feed to Bailey was absolute class.

Keep feeding him minutes and see where it goes.

For the love of Joe Will, won't someone make this kid a big bowl of pasta? How about a double decker grilled cheese? You want fries with that? YES! YES YOU DO, Colin!!

Needs some meat on his bones. But he's been fun to watch and I have high hopes for his development.

 

[EXTRAS]

3rd in all AHL scoring as a rookie with games in hand on 2nd place. Wonder if he could be a surprise breakout NHL top 6 player at some point. Rebuilding NHL teams need that kinda luck at some point if they want to take those next steps.

 

[DG93]

3rd in all AHL scoring as a rookie with games in hand on 2nd place. Wonder if he could be a surprise breakout NHL top 6 player at some point. Rebuilding NHL teams need that kinda luck at some point if they want to take those next steps.

Seems to be the type of player who can also be a solid 3rd liner even if he doesn't reach top-6 status

 

[Hodge]

This is what being too good for the AHL looks like. We haven't really seen it since Timo and Labanc, maybe Noah Gregor to a far lesser extent.

 

[Sharkz4Fun]

This is what being too good for the AHL looks like. We haven't really seen it since Timo and Labanc, maybe Noah Gregor to a far lesser extent.

Sounds like they better get him up ASAP.

 

[dmcccdmn]

3rd in all AHL scoring as a rookie with games in hand on 2nd place. Wonder if he could be a surprise breakout NHL top 6 player at some point. Rebuilding NHL teams need that kinda luck at some point if they want to take those next steps.

Thanks for the update. Grier adding assets out of thin air is making me glad to have him. It's like he's playing Franchise Hockey Manager because those are the same kind of moves I made.

 

[OrrNumber4]

This is what being too good for the AHL looks like. We haven't really seen it since Timo and Labanc, maybe Noah Gregor to a far lesser extent.

Meier shouldn't be on there. Tierney and O'Regan are some examples that come to mind.

 

[Le Grand Quebecois]

I liked his play last year, specifically his attention to detail and positional play in all three zones. I didn't love his edge work. It's nice to see he's really putting it together in the AHL.

 

[Alaskanice]

I liked his play last year, specifically his attention to detail and positional play in all three zones. I didn't love his edge work. It's nice to see he's really putting it together in the AHL.

Same with me.

 

[Hobocop]

I liked his play last year, specifically his attention to detail and positional play in all three zones. I didn't love his edge work. It's nice to see he's really putting it together in the AHL.

The point production has been nice (VERY nice, I don't want to undersell it), but his defensive and forechecking work has been what's really caught my attention in his AHL work this season. Even if the points don't come once he's back in the NHL, he's got those skills.

 

[DG93]

It also seems that unlike guys like Bordeleau/Gushchin, Graf could make it work on a 3rd line with his game, which is important given that the top-6 will likely already have Eklund, Smith, Celebrini, and Martone? in it. Something like Graf-Bystedt-Zetterlund maybe?

 

[Pinkfloyd]

It also seems that unlike guys like Bordeleau/Gushchin, Graf could make it work on a 3rd line with his game, which is important given that the top-6 will likely already have Eklund, Smith, Celebrini, and Martone? in it. Something like Graf-Bystedt-Zetterlund maybe?

I think we need to wait and see if Graf actually translates any of these things into the NHL game and speed. Lots of versatile AHL players can't find similar success in the NHL.

 

[DG93]

I think we need to wait and see if Graf actually translates any of these things into the NHL game and speed. Lots of versatile AHL players can't find similar success in the NHL.

Totally, I think Graf gets a callup this season and earns a full-time spot next season to show what he can do

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Totally, I think Graf gets a callup this season and earns a full-time spot next season to show what he can do

I agree he'll get a callup this season. I think Bystedt and Cagnoni will as well. I'm looking forward to the post-trade deadline version of this team after some veterans have been rented out.

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Wennberg-Smith-Zetterlund
Gushchin-Bystedt-Graf
Grundstrom-Goodrow-Dellandrea

Walman-Liljegren
Ferraro-Mukhamadullin
Cagnoni-Thompson

Some variation of those players though I suspect Thrun will remain a coach's favorite. I would move Ferraro to get Thrun in the lineup if at least a 2nd was on the table for him and Grundstrom to get Cardwell but even this lineup is a very generous amount of turnover at the deadline and belief in the players with little to no experience.

 

[sampler]

Graf didnt looks ready last year, but he is a good skater and a crafty guy. Did he add some muscle? He always seemed a bit too lean, but with 5-10 lbs of muscle, he could be a solid player.

Im happy to see his cuda success. Beteen Gush, cards, and graf at forward along with Thompson and cags on D, and of course askarov, the Cuda have some intriguing guys to watch. Its nice...

 

[Star Platinum]

I agree he'll get a callup this season. I think Bystedt and Cagnoni will as well. I'm looking forward to the post-trade deadline version of this team after some veterans have been rented out.

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Wennberg-Smith-Zetterlund
Gushchin-Bystedt-Graf
Grundstrom-Goodrow-Dellandrea

Walman-Liljegren
Ferraro-Mukhamadullin
Cagnoni-Thompson

Some variation of those players though I suspect Thrun will remain a coach's favorite. I would move Ferraro to get Thrun in the lineup if at least a 2nd was on the table for him and Grundstrom to get Cardwell but even this lineup is a very generous amount of turnover at the deadline and belief in the players with little to no experience.

I genuinely don't understand why Thrun gets treated better than Thompson, he's not any better than him and might be worse.

 

[Herschel]

It also seems that unlike guys like Bordeleau/Gushchin, Graf could make it work on a 3rd line with his game, which is important given that the top-6 will likely already have Eklund, Smith, Celebrini, and Martone? in it. Something like Graf-Bystedt-Zetterlund maybe?

If the Sharks end up with a legitimate NHL level 3rd line made up of those three players it is going to be a massive win for Grier. Still a lot of work to be done but man it would be sweet.

 

[coooldude]

I genuinely don't understand why Thrun gets treated better than Thompson, he's not any better than him and might be worse.

I think it depends what you're looking at.

Thrun has the ability to body guys on the boards and create loose pucks, and when he's paying attention, he has the ability to clear out the net front. He's slow as hell (hence my Douglas Murray comparison - he really has the same skating stride and tempo), and he has just passable puck movement skills in the OZ but isn't great, just OK on the breakout.

In contrast, Thompson flashes more because he makes great passes, is decisive and effective in the OZ, but the things that don't pop (away-from puck boxing out at net front, board puck battles), he's getting buried out there. They're not really replacements for each other anyway (LD/RD) and play different roles. Overall I think Thompson has a higher ceiling as a mid-roster guy who can have impact moments, but Thrun may have a clearer path to a bottom six "zug zug" Rutta-type defenseman, which you really do always need 1-2 of on a good team.

EDIT: Jeez, all that on a Graf thread, sorry. I hope Graf gets his chance, but I agree he should keep developing in the AHL. maybe he, Cardwell, and Bystedt can make an effective kids' third line like the old Ricci-Thornton line which could check but could also chip in their fair share of goals.

 

[Alaskanice]

I think it depends what you're looking at.

Thrun has the ability to body guys on the boards and create loose pucks, and when he's paying attention, he has the ability to clear out the net front. He's slow as hell (hence my Douglas Murray comparison - he really has the same skating stride and tempo), and he has just passable puck movement skills in the OZ but isn't great, just OK on the breakout.

In contrast, Thompson flashes more because he makes great passes, is decisive and effective in the OZ, but the things that don't pop (away-from puck boxing out at net front, board puck battles), he's getting buried out there. They're not really replacements for each other anyway (LD/RD) and play different roles. Overall I think Thompson has a higher ceiling as a mid-roster guy who can have impact moments, but Thrun may have a clearer path to a bottom six "zug zug" Rutta-type defenseman, which you really do always need 1-2 of on a good team.

EDIT: Jeez, all that on a Graf thread, sorry. I hope Graf gets his chance, but I agree he should keep developing in the AHL. maybe he, Cardwell, and Bystedt can make an effective kids' third line like the old Ricci-Thornton line which could check but could also chip in their fair share of goals.

Nice analogy on Thrun and Thompson. I wanted to say that but couldn’t find the words.

Go Graf!!

 

[EXTRAS]

I wonder how long they will wait to bring him up. AHL looks pretty easy for him.