Solid Review of the Sharks Prospects and U25

Eklund

I mean it’s obvious. Eklund has actually changed the outlook on the Sharks. This kid could turn around this franchise. I’m not over hyping this kid. THERE IS A TON of work ahead and a long road, and much needed patience. But if this kid can land on his feet running, the Sharks are gonna catch a huge break from landing Eklund.

He’s just so exciting to watch and has the attitude and qualities of a leader and star. With the toolset to back it up and he literally will be handed this team if he performs. This not Karlsson’s team or Couture teams anymore in my eyes.

Eklund is inheriting this “dumpster fire” which could be put out with his help.

Bordeleau and Ozzy

Bordeleau and Ozzy both are gonna be key pieces for helping Eklund.

Bordeleau is just fantastic. Led a deep deep Michigan team and did NOT look like he was getting carried or along for the ride. He was one of the guys doing the carrying and showing he’s not just a good prospect the Sharks found; but he has potential to be great.

Bordeleau was a stand out in the summer showcase and either a W or C; he will be a amazing compliment to Eklund - EVEN more so if he stays a C.

Ozzy makes this trip sound like a dream. Dynamic and gifted offensive driver who’s amazing in both ends with a high end pace and attitude in Eklund on the W with a fantastic playmaker and silky smooth player with a sneaky shot in Bordeleau: get a energy bunny in Ozzy who’s good at everything and his mentality and momentum keep him rolling. If he can keep improving and become a versatile winger who plays a hard game with some skill than the Sharks have a dynasty line (not actually a league wide dynasty but for us this would be a new line to remember).

Merkley

Merkley is a high end OFF. D who struggles on D. The guy hasn't been disappointing but he hasn't taken that big step yet. He needs to improve drastically in his two way game. While struggling in his first PRO year - it isnt unheard of or new for a smaller OFD struggling in pro, especially in the AHL where the play style is not all about skill.

He still need another year in the AHL (this coming season) for a better sample size. He was asked to focus on D and struggled just overall. This may be a case of letting him loose if he continues to struggle and see what he can do without any reins. We will see but he is not ready for the NHL. Very critical of Merkley because of the pure OFF. potential he has. He's talented/ gifted but we need to see a big step this year forward.

Some important mentions:
Gushchin
Gaudreau
Cardwell

Gushchin - is a dynamite player offensivley and with his stick work. He has a great toolset to be a gifted winger in the top 6. He's not a surefire/ safe bet for the NHL but he is a big boom or bust candidate.

Gaudreau - was a stellar new pick that should bring some excitement to the G pool. He has a lot of questions that need to be answered with a workload coming in 2021/22 but he has some great raw potential. He could be considered a "safer" bet than the usual goalie. By no means is it a safe bet realsitically but we'll get some great info on his path towards a pro career coming in the winter during the World Juniors where he could be the back up or even somehow take the starting job.

Cardwell - looks like a smart player who seems like a great 4th round grab. Does not project to be a 80 point guy by any means but he looks like a very strong draft selection who has the mental side of the game/ off the puck down and has a great base of work to use as he's quite talented.

Meier
Labanc

Ferraro
Knyzhov

Meier and Labanc. A interesting covno... Labanc has performed great but still has not found his stride production wise and didn't have "his line" this year full time. Meier even more so, never found a line really and continues to perform and than under perform with bad luck and lackluster effort sometimes as a result. I am hoping Kane moves on sooner than later from the Sharks because I think giving Meier Kanes spot on the top line is a perfect recipe for success that I hope to see him get comfortable in. Playing with Hertl full time should help him find his groove and hopefully let him blossom like all Sharks fans know he can. Labanc in the meantime needs to keep grinding away as he has been great and just hoping he can breakthrough and get some more points up to reward his efforts. I'd like to see him as well be given a full time role on the second line or take Barabanovs spot on the top line if he starts fading.

To end on a high note; Mario and Nikolai.
Ferraro came in and impressed despite some woes in his rookie campaign. Next thing we know his second year he blows us out of the water even more. He is not perfect but doesn't he seem to be? He still makes mistakes but he plays with such a great tempo and attitude as we see an article all the time from Sheng or Kurz discussing how great he is and how the coaching staff see's him as a future captain. The Sharks future success could hinge on Eklund as I said. But Ferraro is setting the table. He is does everything like a pro but also with his own flair. If he keeps putting forth the same work ethic and what not - I can seem him having an even better year this season.

Knyzhov on the other hand came into his rookie year this past season and had a few woes but man he impressed just as much as Ferraro who was in his second year. The kid came out of no where and stole a top 4 pair job and was not shook off. He has less personal flair than Mario but Knyzhov is noticeable almost every game and almost 99% of the time in a good way. I can remember some mistakes Ferraro makes whereas I can barely if at all remember anything negative of Knyzhov. He just is solid. He is gonna face more elite competition coming up than last year (as Mario took that role this past year). But these two are the best players to watch as Sharks fans. And younger than Meier and Labanc? I can't wait for the future with these two D.