Who would you want at 3rd overall?

[Juxtaposer]

I agree with really everything you say for the most part. I’m just going to add that I think William Eklund would also be a great fit for Frondell. To me, I agree that Hagens is the pick if we are only considering BPA but I think that’s something you only consider in a perfect world. Honestly though Frondell-Eklund could be a fantastic start to a very very strong lineup of 3 great forward lines.

Exactly. We know Young Ek is a great fit with Frondell, and I think William would be even better (as he's a better playmaker than Young Ek). If you took Frondell as a center, then you could consider Celebrini-Smith and Eklund-Frondell as your two long-term forward duos to build around. Analogous to Thornton-Pavelski and Marleau Couture in the early-mid 2010's. Rotating thirds on their lines as necessary, but those duos stay together and have clear roles.

 

[vortexx]

For those leaning Center - Not seeing much love for the highly ranked Frondell - is it just the lower risk with Hagens higher floor that make you value him as BPA?

I question if Frondell is a C at the NHL level, his skating is not great and his transition game is probably his biggest weakness. Also not the greatest at zone entries especially through the middle of the ice and I wouldn't rate his passing that highly.

If Grier believes Frondell is a C I actually think he will be the pick at #3 as he plays a physical style that we are missing in our top 6 and is a style that fits what Grier is looking for. I voted Hagens but it is not a vote of confidence, I would prefer we draft a C with a high potential and Hagens to me has that and has a relatively safe floor in my opinion. I think if we are #3 Grier is going to pick between Frondell/Martone and it will come down to if they believe Frondell is a C they go him, and if not they go Martone.

It is fun to speculate/theorize our pick #3 and I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts but I really just hope when the lottery balls drop we end up #1/#2.

 

[vortexx]

I have no idea what Grier is thinking but I will literally quit being a Sharks fan if they select Radim Mrtka at 3rd overall.

From Grier about the draft, I think we are safe "At the top, after Schaefer, it's probably more forward-heavy."

 

[Patty Ice]

Dobson straight up.

If it was Dobson and the 10OA for 3OA and Dal 1st, I'd be interested.

We can make Eklund a happy boy again by bringing in his brother.

 

[Star Platinum]

For those leaning Center - Not seeing much love for the highly ranked Frondell - is it just the lower risk with Hagens higher floor that make you value him as BPA?

Frondell seems to be all over the map in the online scouting community. Some have him as high as 3, others don't even have him in the top 10. Some have him higher than Eklund, others have Eklund higher.

 

[coooldude]

From Grier about the draft, I think we are safe "At the top, after Schaefer, it's probably more forward-heavy."

Yep, so no chance at a reach for Mrtka. A couple more super juicy tidbits IMHO from that presser, if I'm trying to speak Griersy:

• Pretty adamant that Smith will be tried at C starting next year
• Did seem to be clear that Schaefer is the #1, but also said "our top 5 is probably different than 80% of the league's" meaning everyone has different lists this year, as opposed to meaning the sharks are away from consensus
• Said "no matter where the lottery balls fall, we believe we'll be getting an impactful NHLer"
• Said he'd definitely entertain moving off of #1 if we had it if it's a blockbuster offer "for young, established players"... Then alluded to having received at least two very very crazy offers last year for Celly but chose to stick with the pick.
• I think this means he's not likely to move from 3 but a trade down is far more likely than a trade up, and only with established young player coming back the other way. Cue more Dobson/Byram speculation.

Tying those things together, I think it solidifies my belief that he'll go Martone, or only maybe Frondell. Hagens doesn't profile as the kind of wing Grier wants, and if he really sees Smith as future 2C then he won't be drafting pure C's. Frondell could play wing for Smith or Celly, and Martone could be a poor man's Rantanen-esque complement to Celebrini. But yeah, the vibe I got was Martone.

But if we get 1 he's clearly going Schaefer, I just don't think they see Schaefer as a Celebrini level impact player. Grier's not very good at being coy.

 

[timorous me]

But if we get 1 he's clearly going Schaefer, I just don't think they see Schaefer as a Celebrini level impact player. Grier's not very good at being coy.

This is certainly true, but I'd also say it might be a message for fans to temper expectations if we do get #1. I could well be wrong, but with all the missed time for Schaefer this year, I think the odds would be higher that we'd see Dickinson with the Sharks next season.

Schaefer might need more development experience—he's so young for a d-man and NCAA hockey is an option—and Grier wouldn't want fans to be upset or down on him unreasonably if that ends up as the outcome.

 

[coooldude]

This is certainly true, but I'd also say it might be a message for fans to temper expectations if we do get #1. I could well be wrong, but with all the missed time for Schaefer this year, I think the odds would be higher that we'd see Dickinson with the Sharks next season.

Schaefer might need more development experience—he's so young for a d-man and NCAA hockey is an option—and Grier wouldn't want fans to be upset or down on him unreasonably if that ends up as the outcome.

Shit, if we're lucky enough to nab Schaefer I really hope he goes NCAA!

 

[Makoshark]

If it was Dobson and the 10OA for 3OA and Dal 1st, I'd be interested.

We can make Eklund a happy boy again by bringing in his brother.

I second this. Hopefully the Isles think they can nab their 2nd or future 1st line center after Barzal... Although Hagens could become a Robert Thomas or Barzal like player himself...

10th is still decent territory, albeit more risky for US also to get a future 2nd / 3rd center, 2nd pairing D or Lil Ekky.

 

[hohosaregood]

I will say, y'all have made compelling arguments against Hagens.

 

[matt trick]

I second this. Hopefully the Isles think they can nab their 2nd or future 1st line center after Barzal... Although Hagens could become a Robert Thomas or Barzal like player himself...

10th is still decent territory, albeit more risky for US also to get a future 2nd / 3rd center, 2nd pairing D or Lil Ekky.

Don't see Hagens getting to 218 lbs. I bet he ends up playing at like 195. Adding 25-30 pounds on a 5'11 frame to get to 200-205 would be significant.

I don't tend to think about these things typically, but with question marks on a #3 pick, combine could play a role. If the combine body scans (or he shows up with some significant muscle added) indicate he could play at a solid 210 (5'11), that I'd be much more keen on him (and I'm fine with either him or Martone).

I've got Desnoyers 5th, but not too far behind Martone and Hagens. Every time I watch him play- Hlinka and Juniors primarily- I feel like his two-way instincts are top tier. He's also got prototypical height, but, he's even slimmer than Hagens! I want us to find a premier two-way 3C (or shifting Smith to wing), however, I'd prefer we find that elsewhere in the draft than #3 overall. That being said, I do see some Joel Eriksson Ek (who's a borderline 1C and spectacular defensive center) to Desnoyers game. That's huge praise, but the reality is Scott Laughton is probably more likely.

 

[Grinner]

Dobson potentially straight up, Morrow +, Nemec +, Wallinder + 15th overall, overall is a short list. Are all of them available or even worth passing on a potential 2nd line center? Debatable if MG is not sold on any on of the players in the poll. I think most of these guys potentially fit the timeline and our right side need.

Wallinder has yet to sign with the Canucks
I'd love Grier to poach him

 

[timorous me]

Wallinder has yet to sign with the Canucks
I'd love Grier to poach him

Randy might retire if he has to call a game with both Wallinder and Wallenius on the Sharks.

 

[Grinner]

Randy might retire if he has to call a game with both Wallinder and Wallenius on the Sharks.

More the reason to go get him

 

[Pinkfloyd]

A proposal from an Islanders fan was 3, 33, and Musty for Dobson and 10. Probably at least good for conversation. Don't think I'd take it but I'm sure some would.

 

[CupfortheSharks]

A proposal from an Islanders fan was 3, 33, and Musty for Dobson and 10. Probably at least good for conversation. Don't think I'd take it but I'm sure some would.

Our 1st pick, even if it’s 3rd overall, should not be traded for anything less than an extreme overpay. I’d be open to trading for Dobson but not with our 1st.

 

[Bizz]

Hagens was the clear cut consensus #1 going into December 2024. If Schaefer and Misa are gone at 3, Hagens should be a no brainer.

 

[Bizz]

A proposal from an Islanders fan was 3, 33, and Musty for Dobson and 10. Probably at least good for conversation. Don't think I'd take it but I'm sure some would.

That'd be a good trade if Mike Grier was trying to get fired.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Our 1st pick, even if it’s 3rd overall, should not be traded for anything less than an extreme overpay. I’d be open to trading for Dobson but not with our 1st.

I'm in the same boat. I'd consider 3rd for Dobson and 10th overall. That is an overpay but the sort of one I'd need to make it available, honestly.

 

[Bizz]

I'd only do 3rd for Dobson and 10th if Little Eklund was for sure going to be available, which we have no way of knowing.

 

[Harbessix]

If we get first I believe Schaeffer is the pick. Whether we get second or third, I honestly think it’ll be Martone. I’d be surprised if he isn’t the pick at either of those spots.

 

[Jargon]

Few folks here almost convinced me with their pitch on picking Hagens — and I certainly won’t be mad to have another center prospect. But it just really feels like we’d be picking another Will Smith and I’m not sure that’s the right team building formula.

I definitely think it’s Schaefer - Misa - Martone for me. Hard to pass up on his size and skill set.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

If we get first I believe Schaeffer is the pick. Whether we get second or third, I honestly think it’ll be Martone. I’d be surprised if he isn’t the pick at either of those spots.

If we end up picking Martone over Misa at 2nd, I would be very upset.

 

[Harbessix]

If we end up picking Martone over Misa at 2nd, I would be very upset.

I wouldn’t be that upset honestly. I think Martone has huge upside as well and I agree with Hodge that we shouldn’t get our hopes up too much with Musty and Haltunnen. They were picked late first, early second for a reason. In a perfect world they all make the NHL roster but Martone is a much better prospect than either and it isn’t really close.

 

[ThorNton Apologist]

I wouldn’t be that upset honestly. I think Martone has huge upside as well and I agree with Hodge that we shouldn’t get our hopes up too much with Musty and Haltunnen. They were picked late first, early second for a reason. In a perfect world they all make the NHL roster but Martone is a much better prospect than either and it isn’t really close.

Martone definitely fits what we need but I think Misa has a higher ceiling and much higher floor. I think Misa is a guaranteed 70+ pt all situations player.