Who would you want at 3rd overall?

[Hodge]

Are you a big Roger McQueen fan? There is an argument to be made that if the injuries check out… he is the single most talented player in this draft.

Given all the physical tools he possesses.

I don't know enough about the severity/potential recurrence of his injury. Back issues are scary but if our medical staff is on board then McQueen should definitely be in the conversation for 2nd/3rd overall along with Martone, Misa, Frondell and Desnoyers.

 

[SJS1991]

As for the discussion of 3rd overall… if you look at the consensus boards it’s still seems like the top four are the top four. Some have Hagens falling, some have Martone falling. But overall Schaefer, Misa, Hagens and Martone seem to be the four.

With that and the assumption Schaefer and Misa go 1 and 2… it comes down to positional value (Hagens as a C) or the organizational desire to add size (a 6’4” RW).

It seems like the internet scouts feel Hagens is a safer projection but for the Sharks he is a weird fit. Martone is an easier fit organizationally, just park him on Celebrini’s RW for the next decade plus. But if both hit the way everyone hopes, Hagens will be positionally more valuable.

Currently I think the easier answer is Hagens and should be the likely pick. But I pause a lot because everyone that is part of the organization keeps talking about size. Because of that the only dark horse I see outside of Hagens and Martone is Frondell. That would give them an out on the whole C vs W conversation too.

 

[Grinner]

As for the discussion of 3rd overall… if you look at the consensus boards it’s still seems like the top four are the top four. Some have Hagens falling, some have Martone falling. But overall Schaefer, Misa, Hagens and Martone seem to be the four.

With that and the assumption Schaefer and Misa go 1 and 2… it comes down to positional value (Hagens as a C) or the organizational desire to add size (a 6’4” RW).

It seems like the internet scouts feel Hagens is a safer projection but for the Sharks he is a weird fit. Martone is an easier fit organizationally, just park him on Celebrini’s RW for the next decade plus. But if both hit the way everyone hopes, Hagens will be positionally more valuable.

Currently I think the easier answer is Hagens and should be the likely pick. But I pause a lot because everyone that is part of the organization keeps talking about size. Because of that the only dark horse I see outside of Hagens and Martone is Frondell. That would give them an out on the whole C vs W conversation too.

Look at the reason Grier gave for making the Zetterlund trade. I'm sure that dynamic is still in play.
Either way, we're going to ens up with a very good prospect

 

[boredatwork]

My guess is that Frondell is quite high on Grier’s list. He seems to like big, Swedish centers (Edstrom and Bystedt) and players with two way games. A fallback game as a two way winger with a big shot also likely appeals to Grier.

I could buy into the Desnoyers hype if he becomes a Philip Danault type as a shutdown 2C that can match up against top lines and if Smith is a legit center who could destroy lower competition. That’s a lot of ifs though.

The irrational part of me says trade down and let the Eklund brothers push each other for the next 15 years.

 

[gaucholoco3]

My guess is that Frondell is quite high on Grier’s list. He seems to like big, Swedish centers (Edstrom and Bystedt) and players with two way games. A fallback game as a two way winger with a big shot also likely appeals to Grier.

I could buy into the Desnoyers hype if he becomes a Philip Danault type as a shutdown 2C that can match up against top lines and if Smith is a legit center who could destroy lower competition. That’s a lot of ifs though.

The irrational part of me says trade down and let the Eklund brothers push each other for the next 15 years.

While Grier likes big Swedish C’s I don’t think Fondell has the skating that Grier is looking for. Grier has put a premium on skating.

 

[Juxtaposer]

While Grier likes big Swedish C’s I don’t think Fondell has the skating that Grier is looking for. Grier has put a premium on skating.

He has quite literally put a premium on everything but skating.

 

[Jargon]

He has quite literally put a premium on everything but skating.

I think on defense, there’s a premium on skating. On offense, yeah, far less, which is another reason I hope that, if not Schaefer, we get Misa. We need a FEW burners that are also good (ie not Noah Gregor).

 

[Juxtaposer]

I think on defense, there’s a premium on skating. On offense, yeah, far less, which is another reason I hope that, if not Schaefer, we get Misa. We need a FEW burners that are also good (ie not Noah Gregor).

On defense, sure. But Frondell is a forward, so I think I was safe to assume that we were talking about draft priorities and tendencies for forwards.

 

[Jargon]

On defense, sure. But Frondell is a forward, so I think I was safe to assume that we were talking about draft priorities and tendencies for forwards.

Yeah, I wasn’t disagreeing, just musing.

I’ve been thinking more and more that Frondell is actually who Grier will pick at 3. I think they really like having centers and if he’s a potential 2C that can become our future star 3C… it feels very Grier-like.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Yeah, I wasn’t disagreeing, just musing.

I’ve been thinking more and more that Frondell is actually who Grier will pick at 3. I think they really like having centers and if he’s a potential 2C that can become our future star 3C… it feels very Grier-like.

Right, I think Frondell and Martone are both very Griersy picks. That's why I think they'll be higher on the Sharks' board than Hagens. Hell, it's possible he doesn't even see Misa as the clear-cut #2.

 

[one2gamble]

Frondell at 2 or 3 would be somewhat disappointing but at least it sounds like he finished strong. Its possible hes equivalent to everyone else in that range.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Frondell at 2 or 3 would be somewhat disappointing but at least it sounds like he finished strong. Its possible hes equivalent to everyone else in that range.

He's been a healthy scratch in his most recent playoff game, while Eklund got to play, for what it's worth. Djurgardens making the second round of playoffs may have hurt Frondell's ability to really late-rise, as he was slated to play U18's.

On another note, I know these models aren't great, but I thought this was useful:



I think Misa is a Smith-level prospect, ironically, just with a different skill set.

 

[Le Rosbeef]

Voted Hagens.

That said, when the Avs dump the Stars out, I'm offering 3rd overall and that DAL pick (plus 33rd overall, if needed) for 1st overall and picking Schaefer.
Nashville, not likely. Chicago, Philly, Boston, Seattle,,, all would make a lot of sense.

 

[matt trick]

Voted Hagens.

That said, when the Avs dump the Stars out, I'm offering 3rd overall and that DAL pick (plus 33rd overall, if needed) for 1st overall and picking Schaefer.
Nashville, not likely. Chicago, Philly, Boston, Seattle,,, all would make a lot of sense.

Agree with the proposed trade up, don't know if anyone would do it.

My vote is Martone narrowly edging out Desnoyers and Hagens. Also if two teams behind Philly won he lotto, I'd consider 3rd+Ott 2nd for 6th+Bonk+late 1st (or maybe 3rd for 6th+Bonk). I'd also be interested in Molendyk+5th, but can't imagine Nashville goes for that.

I kind of value 3-6 about equally. My order is Martone, Desnoyers, Hagens, Frondell. Getting my 4th choice of those might be worth Bonk, who projects as a big two-way second pair RHD. I think they all project as second liners with interesting abilities, and all have some possibility to be first line players. That said, I'm sure Grier and co have a much more nuanced perspective on those four prospects, and they could see their fourth choice as a far, far lesser pick.

I wonder if any of the teams in the lotto have Schaefer or Misa 3rd?

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

Voted Hagens.

That said, when the Avs dump the Stars out, I'm offering 3rd overall and that DAL pick (plus 33rd overall, if needed) for 1st overall and picking Schaefer.
Nashville, not likely. Chicago, Philly, Boston, Seattle,,, all would make a lot of sense.

It should be stated for those who might not know, it doesnt matter if you lose in the 1st or 2nd round, it wont change the order. It only matters, for us, that the Stars do not make the conference finals and that more division winners and teams with more points than the Stars also do not make the conference finals

So we dont need the Avs to beat the Stars to get the same draft spot from their pick, but why wait

 

[timorous me]

It should be stated for those who might not know, it doesnt matter if you lose in the 1st or 2nd round, it wont change the order. It only matters, for us, that the Stars do not make the conference finals and that more division winners and teams with more points than the Stars also do not make the conference finals

So we dont need the Avs to beat the Stars to get the same draft spot from their pick, but why wait

It feels like we should all be Avs fans right now: beating Dallas is obviously important, but if they then go on and knock off a division winner (Winnipeg) in the second round, that bumps Dallas's pick up another spot.

 

[Patty Ice]

It feels like we should all be Avs fans right now: beating Dallas is obviously important, but if they then go on and knock off a division winner (Winnipeg) in the second round, that bumps Dallas's pick up another spot.

People are forgetting the real prize. That 5th round pick from the Blackwood trade becomes their 4th round pick.

 

[TheBeard]

It feels like we should all be Avs fans right now: beating Dallas is obviously important, but if they then go on and knock off a division winner (Winnipeg) in the second round, that bumps Dallas's pick up another spot.

I'm rooting for Dallas for spiteful reasons lol. If Blackwood wins the cup with Colorado then i'm pissed all we got was the last pick in the 2nd and a Russian Kunin.

But, I also like Granlund and want to see him win it all. I've already allowed myself the whole year accepting the Sharks are gonna lose a ton, but I'm not wasting my playoff enjoyment rooting for teams I don't hate to lose just so we can get a 25th pick instead of a 30th.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

It feels like we should all be Avs fans right now: beating Dallas is obviously important, but if they then go on and knock off a division winner (Winnipeg) in the second round, that bumps Dallas's pick up another spot.

Yeah, exactly. Like I ended with, why wait. Good add that we can root for Winnipeg to lose with the Avs winning. My point was just for those who might not have known, the draft order is not sorted by 1st round losers then the 2nd round losers, they are lumped together and sorted by points and division winners

 

[timorous me]

People are forgetting the real prize. That 5th round pick from the Blackwood trade becomes their 4th round pick.

Better than a 3rd!

Yeah, exactly. Like I ended with, why wait. Good add that we can root for Winnipeg to lose with the Avs winning. My point was just for those who might not have known, the draft order is not sorted by 1st round losers then the 2nd round losers, they are lumped together and sorted by points and division winners

Yes, like me last night in a different thread

 

[LilLeeroy]

This discussion is crazy, if Hagens is actually there at 3 you pick him and thank your lucky stars.

This year Hagens had a 5v5 xGF% of 68.5, which is basically identical to Celebrini's last year and better than Smith. It is also better than Leonard, Perreault, Stiga, or anybody else people try to claim are driving things instead of Hagens. It really wasn't this disaster year that a lot of online scouts seem to think it was for Hagens.

Hagens and Misa looked like incomparable players the last time they played at the same level in the u18s (I guess maybe the WJC too if you count Misa not even making the team).

 

[dmcccdmn]

Trade it for CHI's unprotected 2026 1st if they're crazy into Hagens. Ours and CHI's 1st in 2026 would be nuts.

 

[Shark Finn]

Trade it for CHI's unprotected 2026 1st if they're crazy into Hagens. Ours and CHI's 1st in 2026 would be nuts.

No way.

 

[Juxtaposer]

This discussion is crazy, if Hagens is actually there at 3 you pick him and thank your lucky stars.

This year Hagens had a 5v5 xGF% of 68.5, which is basically identical to Celebrini's last year and better than Smith. It is also better than Leonard, Perreault, Stiga, or anybody else people try to claim are driving things instead of Hagens. It really wasn't this disaster year that a lot of online scouts seem to think it was for Hagens.

Hagens and Misa looked like incomparable players the last time they played at the same level in the u18s (I guess maybe the WJC too if you count Misa not even making the team).

Guy on the best NCAA team in the country has good xGF% metrics? Shocking.

Again, the point with Hagens isn't that he's not the best player now, it's that his upside is low for a top-3 pick. He has a very high floor, he's very good now, but he is exactly the same player he was at the end of last season. I don't see room for growth with Hagens the way there was tons of room for growth with Smith.

Now I know you're talking out your ass because Misa has never played U18's.

 

[LilLeeroy]

Guy on the best NCAA team in the country has good xGF% metrics? Shocking.

Again, the point with Hagens isn't that he's not the best player now, it's that his upside is low for a top-3 pick. He has a very high floor, he's very good now, but he is exactly the same player he was at the end of last season. I don't see room for growth with Hagens the way there was tons of room for growth with Smith.

Now I know you're talking out your ass because Misa has never played U18's.

My mistake, I forgot he didn't make that team either.

And like I said he had a better 5v5 xGF% than his teammates. I see a lot of room for growth personally, including his point totals regressing to the mean after this year.

Was just saying I'd be a lot more concerned that it took Misa until his 3rd season in the OHL to finally produce at an elite level, than Hagen's "underwhelming" year in the NCAA.