Here’s my thinking behind the signings, trade and everything else. Let me know what you guys think.
Blackwood will not be coming back next year. With Schmid’s play last year ( especially in the playoffs ) he has passed Blackwood on the depth chart. We also have Daws and now Brennan in the AHL. Also have 2 other goalies Cole Brady and Jakub Malek who could be part of the future.
Putting both L.Hughes and Nemec in the top 6 does seem a little tough but here is my reasoning. Luke in the last 2 playoff games looked like a regular NHL player. His skating is phenomenal and I call him the American Cale Makar. I think he could be that good. As for Nemec, he looked solid in Utica this past season and looks like he’s ready for NHL action. He reminds in a sense of Hischier for this reason. When we had the 2017 1st overall pick I wanted Nolan Patrick because I didn’t think Nico was gonna be this good. And Nico proved me wrong is my favourite player on the team. For the 2022 NHL draft, when I saw Slafkovsky go 1st, I wanted Shane Wright. When I saw we drafted Nemec I was a little disappointed. Now watching this kids defensive game and play, I’m glad we drafted Nemec.
Jesper Bratt I feel should get closer to Nico’s cap hit, not Jack’s. I love Bratter but there are times when he disappears. If he gets anywhere between 7mil-7.5mil per, on a long term deal, I think that’s more then fair.
Timo Meier we have to keep. The highest I would like to see NJ sign him for is 9mil per. I know they don’t want to pay anyone more than Jack Hughes, I don’t think Jack will care as long as he stays. I remember when Malkin got a higher cap than Crosby and everyone was freaking out. Sid didn’t care. He just wanted to have a competitive team around him and he knows ( especially at the time ) Malkin was one of the top 15 players in the league. Meier brings something that our team doesn’t have. Can score, can hit, loves to shoot the puck, not afraid to go to the dirty areas and has size.
The rest of our signings are pretty much minor signings. Guys like McLeod, Bastian, Boqvist and Sharangovich are more or less on prove it deals. I want all of them back, but even if 1 or more is gone, it’s not the end of the world.
As for Erik Haula, he wants to be here, NJ fans want him here, he will stay here. The beginning of the season he missed some many scoring opportunities. But his defensive play and his play in the playoffs, he is someone we need to be a part of our lineup.
Kevin Bahl is a top 6 defenseman. Once he got in for a stretch of games, Ruff couldn’t take him out. We give him a raise and some contract so he can build off of it.
I don’t see NJ going crazy in free agency maybe a couple of minor signings. I’d love for NJ to re-sign Severson but if he wants to get the money, unfortunately NJ doesn’t have it for him. If that happens, all the best to Severson. He was a great warrior for us.
Let me know what you guys think on what else NJ could do, could sign, could trade for, etc. Fitzgerald did say just because we don’t have a 1st round pick, doesn’t mean he won’t try to get one. 😊
Devild would be insane to tender his QO, as would anyone. Not sure why acquiring him makes sense for anyone. Closest would be the couple days prior to July 1st, but there are better options out there.
Blackwood's not worth a 5th to the Sharks I don't think. Maybe a 7th if they think he has it in him to turn things around? Otherwise I think we'd rather have one of our AHL goalies platoon with Kahkonnen or maybe take a Jack Campbell/Matt Murray cap dump trade.
I think NJD probably ends up letting him walk in FA when they can't find a buyer.
If the sharks were interested in Blackwood I would imagine he would have been a part of the Meier trade
MB for Zetturland! Easy, I am kidding (sort of)! How do Sharks fans like Zets? Anything else from our prospect pool with MB thrown in (I know his value is ****e) of interest to send him back?
MB for Zetturland! Easy, I am kidding (sort of)! How do Sharks fans like Zets? Anything else from our prospect pool with MB thrown in (I know his value is ****e) of interest to send him back?
Zetterlund has been really mid with the Sharks. Hasn't scored many goals if any. He'll adjust but it looks like he was a product of our great team
MB for Zetturland! Easy, I am kidding (sort of)! How do Sharks fans like Zets? Anything else from our prospect pool with MB thrown in (I know his value is ****e) of interest to send him back?
Zetterlund was unimpressive, had a couple goals called back that were fluky but didn’t really provide a lick of offense. Not a good showing at the worlds either
MB for Zetturland! Easy, I am kidding (sort of)! How do Sharks fans like Zets? Anything else from our prospect pool with MB thrown in (I know his value is ****e) of interest to send him back?
He was awful. He brought nothing. Yet somehow has more value than MB. I want neither on the Sharks tbh. We'll see how he does next season.
Meier trade is on track to be the worst trade I've seen in a while.
He was awful. He brought nothing. Yet somehow has more value than MB. I want neither on the Sharks tbh. We'll see how he does next season.
Meier trade is on track to be the worst trade I've seen in a while.
Send Zets back, we'll have him! You guys need bodies so I think picks are out, otherwise our 3rd next year (dont have one this yr)? What other position is the most needed?
Send Zets back, we'll have him! You guys need bodies so I think picks are out, otherwise our 3rd next year (dont have one this yr)? What other position is the most needed?
I'd love Zetterlund back. Perfect 2nd/3rd line winger for us.
Send Zets back, we'll have him! You guys need bodies so I think picks are out, otherwise our 3rd next year (dont have one this yr)? What other position is the most needed?
If I had a choice, I'd ship him out, but it wouldn't be to the Devils.
No offense, I hope the Sharks are done trading with you guys for a bit. We gave up a top line winger for a 3/4 dman. Some of the other stuff is just longshots.
If I had a choice, I'd ship him out, but it wouldn't be to the Devils.
No offense, I hope the Sharks are done trading with you guys for a bit. We gave up a top line winger for a 3/4 dman. Some of the other stuff is just longshots.
Mike Grier did say he liked the quantity over the quality.