2023 Sharks forward group includes new faces

San Jose Sharks fans know that this year could be a brutal one to watch, so they have to look for a silver lining. This year’s silver lining comes in the form of a potentially more explosive forward group. The addition of Anthony Duclair, Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman add to the Sharks’ potential to score. But it’s the youngsters like William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau that will truly be exciting for Sharks fans.

The Sharks organization has taken its time playing them. While Eklund got a taste of the NHL over the past few years, his contract situation allowed the Sharks to limit his games and keep all three years of his entry-level deal intact. Without the entry-level slide this season, San Jose is free to send Eklund over the boards as much as it wants.

As for Bordeleau, he did not impress at the tail end of last season but spent the better part of the summer working out and getting faster and more explosive. It’s shown in the preseason, where he’s been one of the better players among those battling for a roster spot.

Both Eklund and Bordeleau will factor into the opening night roster.

Alexander Barabanov

Current Age: 29
Position: RW
Last season: 68 GP, 15 G, 32 A
Contract: 2 years, $2.5 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

Alexander Barabanov had career-highs in both goals and assists last season. He played alongside Logan Couture for most of the season, but the third member of the line changed a lot. There was Mikey Eyssimont, who got traded. Matt Nieto, who got traded. Timo Meier, who got traded. And Nick Bonino, who also got traded.

Still, Barabanov had the chance to play with a higher tier of players than he had in the past and his numbers reflected that change.

What’s next?

This is a contract year for Barabanov, and for a guy that’s playing top-six minutes, admittedly on a lousy team, $2.5 million AAV is a steal.

He will spend the season once again receiving top-six minutes, most likely on a line with Duclair and Couture (when Couture is healthy). He will also get a good look on the first unit power play.

Season outlook

Expect Barabanov to break the 20-goal plateau for the first time in his career and score in the range of 50 to 60 points.

The buzz around Barabanov will start in January and February. As a pending unrestricted free agent on a reasonable contract, teams will call about the forward. What happens next will depend on how Barabanov could factor into things long-term.

A good deal could change San Jose’s mind. If the Sharks are offered a low first-round pick or a quality prospect for Barabanov, it’s hard to see General Manager Mike Grier saying no.

Thomas Bordeleau

Current Age: 21
Position: C
Last season: 8 GP, 0 G, 2 A
Contract: 2 years, $916,667 AAV (becomes an RFA at end of 2023-24 season)

Bordeleau knew he needed to come into training camp and fight for a roster spot. To date, that’s what he’s done. The young forward has had short stints in the NHL in the past, but management seems open to giving him a long look if he continues to take strides.

It looks like Bordeleau has taken those steps and will start on opening night.

What’s next?

For Bordeleau, it’s about finding his legs in the NHL. This isn’t another eight-game stretch; this is a chance for a full-time roster spot. Bordeleau took a big step in his first full season with the Barracuda, now, he will need to up his game again for a full season with the NHL.

With Couture out of the lineup due to injury, this is Bordeleau’s time to shine. He can make the decision difficult for the coaches with a good showing in the first few games.

Season outlook

Look for Bordeleau to have a strong enough start that he earns that spot even after Couture comes back healthy. A third line role alongside Eklund and Granlund would be fun to watch and give the young forwards more sheltered minutes than they might receive playing alongside Couture or Hertl.

Bordeleau won’t play all of the season. There will be moments along the way when he’ll be asked to sit out and watch to gain a little more experience, but he won’t be there long. Expect him to hit that 10-goal mark this season and add some helpers. Enough for 20-25 points.

Logan Couture

Current Age: 34
Position: C
Last season: 82 GP, 27 G, 40 A
Contract: 5 years, $8 million AAV (expires at the end of 2026-27 season)

Couture has skated as of this writing, but when he’ll be back at full strength for the Sharks is anyone’s guess. The team does not plan to rush him back. Trainers want to make sure he doesn’t risk reaggravating the lower-body injury when he does return. So, everyone is being cautious.

It’s disappointing for Couture, who played all 82 games last season and had 67 points.

What’s next?

For Couture, this season is about putting together another strong season of 60-plus points while guiding younger players like Eklund and Bordeleau into the league. This year, more than ever, that C on his chest is going to matter.

Season outlook

Couture is a competitor. When he does come back, expect him to push hard. The longer the team keeps him out of the lineup, the harder he’ll push when he finally gets the all clear to play. Expect to hear his name frequently through the first five games as he gets all that pent up frustration out.

Couture will settle into his role after that. He’ll put up another 50-60 points this season.

At the trade deadline, it will be time for Couture to make a decision. Does he believe he can win with the core and young players currently with the Sharks or is it time to move on and try to win with another team?

If Couture decides to move on, his history in the playoffs will bring a lot of interest from teams. Couture is a playoff dynamo, and every contender will want his services.

Anthony Duclair

Current Age: 28
Position: Left Wing
Last season: 20 GP, 2 G, 7 A
Contract: 3 years, $3 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

Duclair is one of the new faces Sharks fans should be excited about. GM Grier wrangled the forward away from the Florida Panthers, a team that needed some cap space. Grier took advantage and bought low on a player in his prime that could conceivably score 30 goals this season.

Last season, Duclair battled injury and so he only played 20 games for the Panthers. However, he was ready for the postseason and helped his team to the Stanley Cup Finals with 11 points (4 G, 7 A) in 20 games.

What’s next?

Duclair came into camp healthy and now has a full season to get back into form. He will receive top line minutes while playing with the likes of Couture and Barabanov. He will also get plenty of time on the first unit of the power play.

For him, it’s about seeing what he can do with a full 82-game season.

Season outlook

Dulair will come as advertised. Expect him to break that coveted 30-goal marker and possibly the 60-point plateau as well.

He will be another player that will require a decision to make come the trade deadline. Whether or not he breaks 30 goals, he looks like a player that Grier would like to keep for a longer term than just a year. Duclair is fast, skilled and physical. It would not be surprising if Grier signed him to a new deal before the deadline.

However, like Barabanov, another team could force Grier’s hand. After all, a 30-goal scorer with a $3 million AAV doesn’t become available at the trade deadline all the time.

William Eklund

Current Age: 20
Position: Center
Last season: 8 GP, 2 G, 1 A
Contract: 3 years, $925,000 AAV (expires at the end of 2025-26 season)

There is a lot of pressure on Eklund this year. Like Bordeleau, after two seasons of brief appearances in the NHL, this is his opportunity to make that next step and prove that he belongs at the highest tier of hockey for the long term.

Eklund was shut down early last season to have shoulder surgery. He said it was something that needed to be done and he’s feeling good. He got stronger as the preseason wore on and looks like he’s ready to go for game one.

What’s next?

Eklund will start the season alongside Granlund which should alleviate some of the pressure that he might feel on the top line.

Head Coach David Quinn said during training camp that he’d like to play Eklund in all situations. That means power play and penalty kill along with 5-on-5. This season, it looks like Eklund will have every opportunity to show he has the potential to become a top two-way forward in the NHL.

Season outlook

Bold prediction time. Eklund hits the 15-goal and 40-point mark. He shows off some of his incredible skills and the rest of the league takes notice. While Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks is the odds on favorite to win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year, don’t count Eklund out of the mix. He’ll get some buzz too.

Mikael Granlund

Current Age: 31
Position: Center
Last season: 79 GP, 10 G, 31 A
Contract: 4 years, $5 million AAV (expires at the end of 2024-25 season)

New addition Granlund is another project that could reap rewards for the Sharks. Granlund’s trade at last season’s trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t pan out. So, he was included as part of this summer’s deal for Erik Karlsson.

Granlund had 41 points in 79 games last season, split between the Penguins and the Nashville Predators.

What’s next?

Granlund has two years left on his contract. A $5 million AAV is tough to move so it’s likely he’s with the Sharks for the entirety of the season with the cap still stagnant. Look to him to start the season with Eklund on his side. The veteran center will be tasked with mentoring the young forward.

Granlund will start out on the first unit of the power play but may move down to the second unit depending on how potent the power play is. Quinn may mix up the lines if the power play isn’t going. By going with a five forward power play, he has a lot of options to play with.

Season outlook

Granlund hit 64 points two seasons ago. It’s not likely that he’ll hit that mark again this season, but he should be good for 40-50 points. If, later in the season, he’s partnered with Eklund and Bordeleau, he could be part of a very skilled third line that will surprise a lot of teams.

Tomas Hertl

Current Age: 29
Position: Center
Last season: 79 GP, 22 G, 41 A
Contract: 8 years, $8.1375 million AAV (expires at the end of 2029-30 season)

Hertl did not live up to anyone’s expectations, including his own after signing a new 8-year, $65 million contract. There were times when he didn’t seem to have the confidence he wanted in his game and Hertl admitted as much in his postseason interview.

While 63 points is an admirable feat, he wanted more and so did fans.

What’s next?

Hertl believes that he is a top center in the NHL and he will look to prove that this season. For him, that will mean breaking 30 goals and 80 points, the latter of which he has never done.

For Hertl, what’s next will determine if he can be an NHL star or simply a top-six player. Neither is bad, but as one of the players tapped to lead this team to its next playoff run, fans will need him to be more.

Season outlook

There’s something about Hertl’s positivity that makes people around him feel positive too. Even in the toughest times, he tries to smile. As such, we’re going to be positive as well and say he breaks both marks this season.

Hertl has a better cast of forwards around him including noted goal scorers Hoffman and Duclair as well as dynamic young forwards in Eklund and Bordeleau. There are options, and that will make Hertl a better player.

Mike Hoffman

Current Age: 33
Position: Left Wing
Last season: 67 GP, 14 G, 20 A
Contract: 3 years, $4.5 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

Another addition thanks to the Karlsson trade, Hoffman is in the last season of a contract that pays him $4.5 million.

The book on Hoffman is that it’s all offense all the time. He has a wicked one-timer and a nose for the net. He scores goals. What he does not do is defend. So, when his points stopped being there and his defense never arrived, the Montreal Canadiens management lost its use for Hoffman. As a result, he was the subject of many trade rumors until the Karlsson deal materialized.

What’s next?

For Hoffman, it’s all about how coaches use him. At 33, he’s not suddenly going to develop a two-way game. This is about putting him in a situation for him to do what he does best…score goals.

Season outlook

Hoffman will likely score 20-25 goals, with a considerable number of them coming on the power play. In an ideal world, interest in the forward picks up at the trade deadline and the Sharks receive a solid third-round pick in return.

Hoffman’s contract really hinders anything more unless the Sharks are willing to retain some of his salary.

Luke Kunin

Current Age: 25
Position: Center, Right Wing
Last season: 31 GP, 5 G, 8 A
Contract: 2 years, $2.75 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

Sharks fans did not receive the full Luke Kunin experience in his first season in teal. The forward tore his ACL late last year and then underwent surgery to have it repaired. As a result, he spent the rest of the 2022-23 season and the summer recovering.

Until that point, Kunin’s numbers were okay, but his work on special teams was something the Sharks needed. He was an excellent penalty killer who helped San Jose maintain one of the best PKs in the league.

What’s next?

Recovering from an injury like a torn ACL can be difficult for players to overcome. Kunin’s ability to get comfortable after surgery will be the first step for him this season. After that, it’s a question of if he can establish himself as a third or fourth line player who contributes enough to earn a spot on a contending team.

Kunin is only 25 years old and could, conceivably, be a part of the rebuild. His special teams work makes him an asset, but he’ll need to score goals as well.

Season outlook

Kunin will start the season on the third line with Granlund and Eklund and so he will have his opportunities. Look to him to score in the 15 goal range with some helpers along the way. He will continue to be strong on the penalty kill and may garner some interest at the trade deadline for teams looking to shore up for the playoffs.

Kunin could be a valuable trade chip at the deadline, a la Barclay Goodrow, provided the team does not have him factored into its plans for the future.

Kevin Labanc

Current Age: 27
Position: Right Wing
Last season: 72 GP, 15 G, 18 A
Contract: 4 years, $4.725 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

There were always high hopes for Labanc, whose upward trajectory from 2016 through 2019 seemed like a good sign for the forward. He went from 20 points in 2016-17 to double that in 2017-18 and nearly added 20 more to that total in the 2018-19 season. $4.725 million seemed like a good price to pay for a 50-60 point a season player.

But something happened and Labanc has never found that form again. His 33 points last season was actually an upswing from the three seasons prior.

What’s next?

This season Labanc is fighting for a roster spot. Bordeleau and Eklund are the future of the Sharks. They’re on an upward trend. Labanc, is trying to return to form and he has a short leash to do it. Givani Smith is pushing for a spot of his own, while Nico Sturm and Kunin bring a defensive quality to their game that Labanc does not possess.

Management has already shown that it’s willing to send roster players like Oskar Lindblom down to the AHL if there’s no place for them in the lineup, so Labanc is on notice.

Season outlook

Labanc is in the final season of his contract, so, like most players, expect to see that contract year boost in points. However, it’s hard to envision Labanc starting every night unless someone else gets injured, so he’ll have to combat that as well.

If he does play, Labanc should be good for 20-30 points and may draw a low round draft pick near the deadline. After all, GM Grier does have that highlight reel from the playoff game against Vegas to fall back on.

Givani Smith

Current Age: 25
Position: Right Wing
Last season: 34 GP, 1 G, 3 A
Contract: 2 years, $800,000 AAV (expires at the end of 2024-25 season)

Smith is an interesting offseason acquisition in that he’s another fourth line player on a team that has too many fourth liners. Smith has never played more than 46 games in a season and his career high in scoring is seven points in 2021-22.

What Smith does bring is that grit that the Sharks gave up when the team allowed Jonah Gadjovich to walk in the summer.

What’s next?

Not knowing Smith’s game well enough, it’s hard to say if there’s another level to his play. It’s clear that he brings a lot of grit and energy to every shift. Whether that translates on the scoreboard is yet to be seen, but it can swing momentum for a team. That may be what San Jose needs from him the most this season.

Season outlook

Smith will fill the role that he was brought in to do. He’ll play fewer games at the start of the season but will be fully utilized after the trade deadline when one or more of the forwards listed above may no longer be with the Sharks.

He will be consistent, scoring one or two goals this season and adding a few helpers along the way.

Nico Sturm

Current Age: 28
Position: Center
Last season: 74 GP, 14 G, 12 A
Contract: 3 years, $2 million AAV (expires at the end of 2024-25 season)

If there’s one fourth liner that has his place on the team solidified this season, it’s Nico Sturm. His 26 points last season was more than the Sharks have seen in the past from bottom six role players.

Sturm excelled in his role. He was responsible with the puck and was one of the players the coaching staff relied upon on the penalty kill.

What’s next?

The Sharks need Sturm to continue what he has done in the past and be a reliable forward who can settle things down when the team gets into a pinch. There may be a lot of those moments this season and Sturm will be tasked with alleviating the pressure.

Season outlook

Look to Sturm to contribute approximately ten goals and finish the season with 25-30 points. He will continue to do what he does best, kill penalties and could draw some interest at the trade deadline as a result.

It’s hard to see management trading him with one more year on a very affordable contract. However, GM Grier has his eyes on the future, and Sturm may allow anyone to walk this season if the price is right.

Filip Zadina

Current Age: 23
Position: Right Wing
Last season: 30 GP, 3 G, 7 A
Contract: 1 year, $1.1 million AAV (expires at the end of 2023-24 season)

If there was a season to take on a reclaimation project, it was this one. Zadina fits the bill perfectly. As a former first round draft pick (6th overall in 2018), Zadina thinks he has more to offer than his 7 points in 30 games last season.

He and the Detroit Red Wings agreed to a mutual termination of his contract in the summer and Zadina bet on himself when he signed a one-year deal with the Sharks. It’s clear the fire to succeed is there.

What’s next?

Whether that translates onto the ice is yet to be seen. Zadina will be placed into positions he might not have been placed in with the Red Wings. He will see top six minutes and is expected to start on a line with Hertl and Hoffman.

He will also receive second unit power play time.

The ceiling is still considered high for Zadina, though maybe not as high as it was when he was drafted 6th overall. For him, it will be about taking strides this season to prove that he can be a consistent, impactful NHL player.

Season outlook

We’re not sold on Zadina just yet, so it’s hard to envision expectations matching with reality. In an ideal world, Zadina hits 20 goals and 40 points, but a breakout like that seems a bit far-fetched. Something in the 10 goal, 25 point range is probably more reasonable to expect from a full season with Zadina.

Fabian Zetterlund

Current Age: 24
Position: Left Wing
Last season: 67 GP, 6 G, 17 A
Contract: 2 years, $1.45 million AAV (expires at the end of 2024-25 season)

The new additions in the offseason did not help Zetterlund’s case. The forward was already struggling to find his footing after the trade deadline deal with the New Jersey Devils that brought him to San Jose. Now, there’s more competition and fewer spots available.

Zetterlund started off strong for the Devils last season, scoring 20 points in 45 games. However, in his 22 games with the Sharks, he could not light the lamp and only had three assists.

What’s next?

Zetterlund will have to prove he belongs in the NHL. During training camp, Head Coach David Quinn said Zetterlund was playing hard and in shape, but he needed to make better decisions with the puck.

For Zetterlund, this season will be about making smart choices instead of forcing the play. If he’s able to do that, the points should follow.

Season outlook

As of now, Zetterlund is barely hanging on to a spot on the fourth line. With the emergence of Eklund and Bordeleau, both of whom had better training camps than Zetterlund, he runs the risk of falling off the depth chart completely.

As it is, the forward may not have the opportunities that he needs to take another step forward in his development.

Look for Zetterlund to move into and out of the lineup, especially when Couture is finally healthy enough to play. Zetterlund should receive more opportunity in the spring after the trade deadline, provided he’s still with the Sharks organization at that time.