I feel like Carrier is going to have a lot of people interested, not sure he'd have a ton of interest in SJ. I could see Carolina picking him up ifPesce doesn't re-sign.

Chatfield would be a nice pick up. I'd also think Roy, Pesce, maybe Dumba would be some guys Grier will be looking at if they price themselves out from other teams. I'd also be ok with having Ferraro or Vlasic play full time on the Right side to allow Thrun & Shakir develop on their strong side.

In terms of forwards I think Gushchin more than deserves an NHL spot to start like Bordeleau and Eklund had this season. Graf has been fantastic as well. If they're going to have vets take young guys spots than they need to be better players than Mikheyev or Trenin. That second line would destroy Celebrini's development.

If we play a LD on the right it has to be Mukh, he played there a lot during his development and was comfortable so it would be the most seamless transition.
Chatfield is a sneaky nice pickup but I would not play him above 2nd pairing.
Mikheyev and Trenin feel like reaches, if we take in a contract I want to see draft picks for helping Vancouver out or why bother, and Trenin is a bad pickup, blocks skilled players for a 4 th line grinder being paid too much (think Hoffman)
Rather than pick up those this I would rather bring back Duclair (4x4.25) and Barabanov (1/2C 2.5) but to be fair I Honestly think Smith and Musty are going to be fighting for spots, think you Sign Carpenter and Bailey as insurance if those guys need another year developing.

You're right about interest from other teams, so we'd have to promise more money (which we can) and an expanded role. It's unclear if he would prioritize that over a more competitive team. But, if we have to outbid other teams, we really don't want to pay above market rate for a middle tier player.


I'm glad you agree on Chatfield. I'm inclined to believe his great results in safer minutes could project to an expanded role.

I feel the same argument you made against Carrier can be used for Roy. He will demand even more interest. That's not too say we shouldn't sign him, but he's also a bit older. All three UFAs I targeted are 27 currently, and their career trajectory might line up better with our rebuild.


Graf should play the majority of his minutes in the AHL next season. Unless his physicality and skating improve significantly over the summer, he's not likely to start on the opening NHL roster. That's not to say he won't play at all for the Sharks. Injuries and slumps will open up opportunities for Gushchin, Bordeleau, and Graf, but we shouldn't just hand them the spot.

I don't know why you're so down on Mikheyev. He has had great underlying numbers in Vancouver and Toronto. Also has decent speed and size. He would instantly be one of our top 4 forwards.

Trenin is maybe a bit superfluous since he is more of a role player and you don't need to sign those so early in rebuild. But, I believe he would improve our putrid PK. His size would also fit with Grier's philosophy, and again, he is on the younger side.