He certainly won’t still be available at 9th overall which is what makes a report that the Sharks had a second interview with projected top-five pick Mitch Marner last night all the more interesting. Marner, easily the most exciting and arguably the best prospect in this draft not named Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, scored 44 goals and 126 points in 63 games for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League this year and is widely projected to go in the top five, likely to Toronto at #4 whose scouting department is now headed by former Knights GM Mark Hunter.
Essentially, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Sharks to schedule a second interview with Marner on draft day eve if they don’t have serious designs on moving up. The 3rd overall pick, currently owned by Arizona, is very much in play with rumors swirling that the Bruins are prepared to offer young stud defenseman Dougie Hamilton straight up for it. The Sharks can’t compete with that offer but they are believed to be one of the teams in the mix for that pick, likely by offering their first rounder in addition to other assets.
The interview could just be the Sharks covering all their bases in case Marner improbably falls to them but given the smoke around San Jose possibly being involved in a draft day blockbuster, it feels like something more. At any rate, it’s a good excuse to embed this breathtaking Marner highlight reel. The Patrick Kane comparisons are apt.
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