I know that these aren't the lines and pairings that the Sharks have been so far in practice nor do I expect this at all, but this is what I personally would want
Sharks have been running a top line of Hoffman-Hertl-Zadina for 4 straight days now in practice, which doesn't really make sense to me. You have a lot of great playmakers in the lineup like Eklund, Barabanov, Bordeleau, and Granlund, so why would you have a line of all shooters? Doesn't make sense. Keep Zadina on the top line w/ Hertl so you have the Czechs together and can hopefully unlock Zadina, but switch Hoffman for Eklund so you have a playmaker with those two shooters.
2nd line for me is the same as SJ has been running in practice. Give Bordeleau a legit shot with legit linemates, and hopefully Bordeleau/Barabanov can set up Duclair a lot.
3rd line you have two shooters in Hoffman/Kunin centered by Granlund, who can only pass.
4th line has Sturm/Zetterlund to be solid defensively/physically and Labanc can maybe chip in a bit w/ the goals.
I like Smith but don't know who you'd take out for him
Ferraro-Benning as the top pair which is a brutal top pairing, but gotta work w/ what we have. Both are solid defensively and physically, and can log big minutes.
Thrun-Rutta has been used at practice, hopefully Rutta can provide a steady presence for Thrun and help Thrun develop into a legit middle pairing guy. Thrun might honestly be the best defenseman on the team (which is wild) but I don't want to put him on the top pair right away, be more careful.
Have really liked Knyzhov so far in preseason, a solid/steady defensive bottom pairing with Emberson, who I've also liked.
Vlasic scratched because why should he play over anyone in the lineup? I honestly don't think he's a better player than anyone in the top 6 (and if he is than it's really close) and he's not part of the team's future, so why not give another, younger guy those minutes? You know what you're getting with Burroughs, no upside but definitely like his physicality and defensive play.
Kahkonen starts, he's looked really solid in preseason.
I am 100% in agreement with your line combos! My only thought is I really feel like Eklund and Bordeleau together! They had chemestry! Same so far with Duclair and Barabanov and Hertl and Zadina. Mixing in Hoffman Granlund and Kunin to mix and match would be nice! It’s way easier once Couture comes back though.
The D I can’t agree more…. But I don’t see how you scratch Vlasic to start the season. (Though I want to!) Maybe after a handful of games, but last year he wasn’t bad so unless he regresses again this year I think Quinn is forced to play him. But to me Knyzhov Embersom and Thrun have to play this year! Thrun I have a feeling is a long term top 4 D for us but with Embersom and Knyzhov we have to see if they are guys you build with or move on from. Personally I feel Knyzhov is a better D than Vlasic and maybe even Ferraro and Embersom could be the best RD we have on the roster right now.
Next year I don’t see how Thrun and Mukhamadulin aren’t playing every night and if the sharks do anything in FA it would be to pick up a RD like Pesce. Or someone who is a top 4 with some offensive ability. So this is the year for Embersom and Knyzhov to shine or move on.
Still don’t know why we signed Burroughs to be honest especially to 3 year deal.
I am 100% in agreement with your line combos! My only thought is I really feel like Eklund and Bordeleau together! They had chemestry! Same so far with Duclair and Barabanov and Hertl and Zadina. Mixing in Hoffman Granlund and Kunin to mix and match would be nice! It’s way easier once Couture comes back though.
The D I can’t agree more…. But I don’t see how you scratch Vlasic to start the season. (Though I want to!) Maybe after a handful of games, but last year he wasn’t bad so unless he regresses again this year I think Quinn is forced to play him. But to me Knyzhov Embersom and Thrun have to play this year! Thrun I have a feeling is a long term top 4 D for us but with Embersom and Knyzhov we have to see if they are guys you build with or move on from. Personally I feel Knyzhov is a better D than Vlasic and maybe even Ferraro and Embersom could be the best RD we have on the roster right now.
Next year I don’t see how Thrun and Mukhamadulin aren’t playing every night and if the sharks do anything in FA it would be to pick up a RD like Pesce. Or someone who is a top 4 with some offensive ability. So this is the year for Embersom and Knyzhov to shine or move on.
Still don’t know why we signed Burroughs to be honest especially to 3 year deal.
I hope by mid year :
Eklund - Hertl - Zadina
Couture - Bordeleau - Barabanov
(I’d rather extend Barabanov and trade Duclair)
Trade Duclair for value
Hopefully find some value for Hoffman
Move Labanc
Thrun - Rutta
Ferraro - Benning
Shakir (for a tryout by end year) - Knyzhov
Goalies (like to see Chrona get some reps like Maki)
Agree with resigning Barbi! Wouldn’t mind resigning Duclair if he fits well.
I am hoping Kahkonen rebounds like it looked like in preseason and training camp!
I want to be patient with Mukhamadulin! We’ve rushed so many D and destroyed their careers
Agree with resigning Barbi! Wouldn’t mind resigning Duclair if he fits well.
I am hoping Kahkonen rebounds like it looked like in preseason and training camp!
I want to be patient with Mukhamadulin! We’ve rushed so many D and destroyed their careers
Oh I just mean use his 9 games like Eklund (if he’s performing well). But agreed.
I like to see those 9 games, as while to some it’s a small sample size, I believe if a player has “IT” he’ll show it.
Like Eklund being sent down after his 9 games was the 10/10 correct thing to do. But those 9 games, while not perfect nor being a prospect like Bedard; showed Eklund has it. He now just has to keep it.
I’d like to see Shakir and what we’ve got similarly. Like Thrun showed last year. Thrun could be something (not just a 3rd pair or 4th guy) and that’s what we saw in his showcase. And much like Eklund, Thruns now gotta keep it.
Obviously there are flashes in the pan (Kiviranta for example) but I always like seeing how prospects handle an NHL “vacation” from the AHL.
Oh I just mean use his 9 games like Eklund (if he’s performing well). But agreed.
I like to see those 9 games, as while to some it’s a small sample size, I believe if a player has “IT” he’ll show it.
Like Eklund being sent down after his 9 games was the 10/10 correct thing to do. But those 9 games, while not perfect nor being a prospect like Bedard; showed Eklund has it. He now just has to keep it.
I’d like to see Shakir and what we’ve got similarly. Like Thrun showed last year. Thrun could be something (not just a 3rd pair or 4th guy) and that’s what we saw in his showcase. And much like Eklund, Thruns now gotta keep it.
Obviously there are flashes in the pan (Kiviranta for example) but I always like seeing how prospects handle an NHL “vacation” from the AHL.
Hot damn you and I are very much on the same exact page!
What is your thoughts on Laroque?
Hot damn you and I are very much on the same exact page!
What is your thoughts on Laroque?
Sick name.
But in reality I never like hearing (in the draft) - a like “who is this guy?? Why draft him this early??” which if I recall correctly is a paraphrase of what was said live on air.
Obviously there’s situations like Boucher over Sillinger where it doesn’t beg the questions but screams it. But 4th round, and there’s shade being thrown is annoying. Because then you go look at the internet scouting reports and there’s some word of caution but lots of optimism for the potential.
A lot of what scouts/ coaches praised Gannon Laroque about was intangibles and being someone you want in your club. But now with the offence he’s been bringing along with everything else makes it a huge 4th round selection, especially being a RD.
He’s no guaranteed NHL star but I’m personally going out of my way to watch his first NHL or preseason whenever possible. I have him penciled in the Sharks future, personally I like him more than Havelids but we’ll see if he works out.
Sick name.
But in reality I never like hearing (in the draft) - a like “who is this guy?? Why draft him this early??” which if I recall correctly is a paraphrase of what was said live on air.
Obviously there’s situations like Boucher over Sillinger where it doesn’t beg the questions but screams it. But 4th round, and there’s shade being thrown is annoying. Because then you go look at the internet scouting reports and there’s some word of caution but lots of optimism for the potential.
A lot of what scouts/ coaches praised Gannon Laroque about was intangibles and being someone you want in your club. But now with the offence he’s been bringing along with everything else makes it a huge 4th round selection, especially being a RD.
He’s no guaranteed NHL star but I’m personally going out of my way to watch his first NHL or preseason whenever possible. I have him penciled in the Sharks future, personally I like him more than Havelids but we’ll see if he works out.
you are like my new favorite person to talk about sharks on here with! I’ve actually watched a few of Gannon laroque’s games when he was with the barracuda for that three game stint and I’ve watch some of his games in the juniors. He’s definitely not one of the faster guys out there and that’s a concern, especially after injuries!
But his offensive game is really good. His thought process is probably close to NHL level at this point and his defense is decent. I wouldn’t say good but definitely not bad. I have very high hopes of him being like a number 4 2nd pairing offensive 2 way right D for the sharks in a couple years, same with Michael Fisher, but Fisher is a little longer out, especially after the injury last year. Havelid’s Offensive game is very very very good. I worry about his size and being competitive in the NHL but this day and age you can be a smaller D and still be successful. Still think the sharks really need to pick up a top flight right D prospect either this draft or next draft. This draft if we get 3rd oa I really like Levshunov, or in 25 Hensler is looking really good.
I am 100% in agreement with your line combos! My only thought is I really feel like Eklund and Bordeleau together! They had chemestry! Same so far with Duclair and Barabanov and Hertl and Zadina. Mixing in Hoffman Granlund and Kunin to mix and match would be nice! It’s way easier once Couture comes back though.
The D I can’t agree more…. But I don’t see how you scratch Vlasic to start the season. (Though I want to!) Maybe after a handful of games, but last year he wasn’t bad so unless he regresses again this year I think Quinn is forced to play him. But to me Knyzhov Embersom and Thrun have to play this year! Thrun I have a feeling is a long term top 4 D for us but with Embersom and Knyzhov we have to see if they are guys you build with or move on from. Personally I feel Knyzhov is a better D than Vlasic and maybe even Ferraro and Embersom could be the best RD we have on the roster right now.
Next year I don’t see how Thrun and Mukhamadulin aren’t playing every night and if the sharks do anything in FA it would be to pick up a RD like Pesce. Or someone who is a top 4 with some offensive ability. So this is the year for Embersom and Knyzhov to shine or move on.
Still don’t know why we signed Burroughs to be honest especially to 3 year deal.
I think Eklund and Bordeleau should be split up, though, at least to start. Both smaller guys trying to establish themselves, so maybe start with more veteran guys.
Don't think realistically Vlasic is scratched but I think it makes the most sense.
Don't hate the Burroughs signing. Maybe hard to find room, but he's a good bottom pair guy. Seems like a decent leader, plays well physically and defensively. Also can bury his full contract so really no downside.
I think Eklund and Bordeleau should be split up, though, at least to start. Both smaller guys trying to establish themselves, so maybe start with more veteran guys.
Don't think realistically Vlasic is scratched but I think it makes the most sense.
Don't hate the Burroughs signing. Maybe hard to find room, but he's a good bottom pair guy. Seems like a decent leader, plays well physically and defensively. Also can bury his full contract so really no downside.
If we were a playoff cusp kind of team I.e. Detroit Ottawa Buffalo. Burroughs cheap deal and adequate play plus the grit and physicality would be huge for a 6th/ 7th D guy. But the sharks have bad D and need his spot to try and find future guys. I don’t hate him just don’t think he was the right guy at this time.
Agree with the take on Classic (that’s always my typo for his name and it works cause he’s old lol) but yea I just don’t see how we scratch him.
I do think Eklund and Bordeleau could hold their own and maybe add Zetterlund or Kunin for the grit and net front presence could work. But to start yea I see them split up to protect them. But maybe by next year or the year after I could see Eklund Bordeleau and maybe Musty like we saw in the preseason!
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