It’s July, but it looks like the free agency dust has settled for the time being and the trade front on Erik Karlsson remains quiet…sort of. We’ll jump into that at the minute.
For now, we want to take a quick pause in our look at the newest Sharks’ prospects to explore what San Jose’s roster could look like when training camp starts. We have to get this out now because even between the start of drafting this article and the actual posting of it, there’s been a change. Before there are any more, let’s jump in.
The addition of Filip Zadina
The addition of Filip Zadina mixes things up and adds an interesting wrinkle into what was initially a pretty easy to predict roster.
For those unfamiliar with his work, Zadina was a 6th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in 2018. While his offense was supposed to be explosive, Zadina never seemed to pan out. Earlier this summer, he was placed on waivers so the Red Wings could terminate his contract. Zadina wanted to bet on himself and the Red Wings obliged. He walked away from a guaranteed $4.65 million over the next two seasons.
Our friends over at Winging It In Motown were happy to tell us what San Jose is getting in Zadina.
“It’s really unfortunate that it didn’t work out for Filip Zadina in Detroit. He’s 23 and has plenty of room to grow,” said Kyle tells us. “He showed flashes of offense and started to develop his two-way game later in his tenure with Detroit. I think there was lofty expectations of Zadina from the beginning after he was taken 6th overall in 2018. He hasn’t lived up to those expectations, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bust. I think if he can find a place where he’s comfortable there’s potential he can develop chemistry with new teammates and find his footing in the NHL. I’m rooting for him. He’s a good player; it just didn’t work out here in Detroit.”
Zadina will have plenty of opportunity to show he has what it takes to be a permanent fixture in an NHL lineup. Expect him to start the season on the ice for San Jose.
Forwards
So, Zadina slides into the lineup, but where and who goes out? I’m making an educated guess and saying this is the way things would shake out if the season started today for the Sharks.
William Eklund – Tomas Hertl – Anthony Duclair
Jacob Peterson – Logan Couture – Alexander Barabanov
Filip Zadina – Nico Sturm – Fabian Zetterlund
Kevin Labanc/Oskar Lindblom* – Luke Kunin – Givani Smith*
*Thomas Bordeleau, Ozzy Weisblatt, Daniil Gushchin, Tristen Robins
It’s hard to imagine William Eklund missing out on the opening night roster. Ideally, he’ll start out on the first line with Tomas Hertl and Anthony Duclair, but it will depend on the kind of chemistry he finds with his linemates. Hertl is, at this point, the obvious top line center. Duclair will have a shot at the other wing.
On the second line, Logan Couture is locked in at center. I slotted Alexander Barabanov and Jacob Peterson into the wing positions because the trio showed good chemistry last season.
As for the third line, Nico Sturm availed himself admirably as a third line center last season. The Sharks could do much worse having him as depth down the middle. Prior to the Zadina signing, I had Kevin Labanc on one wing with Fabian Zetterlund on the other. Now, I’m pushing Labanc down and giving Zadina a shot. Depending on how Zetterlund performs this season, he could move up the lineup later in the season.
The fourth line is in the most flux. Provided that Luke Kunin is healthy, the center position on the fourth line is his to lose. It’s the guys on his wing that are up in the air. Let’s be honest, Oskar Lindblom was a borderline NHler going into the offseason. With Zadina’s addition. He might be the odd man out.
Labanc is likely to slide into the fourth line spot. On the other side of Kunin, Givani Smith will have a shot at becoming a fourth line mainstay. Smith adds grit, but not a lot of scoring depth, so he could cycle in and out depending on if the younger players are ready to move up.
That’s 13 forwards for the Sharks roster and we haven’t mentioned names like Thomas Bordeleau, Daniil Gushchin and Tristen Robins. All three each played a few games for the Sharks last season and will be looking to take another step in their development. Young Ozzy Weisblatt might also be ready for the jump depending on how he opens the season with the Barracuda.
Defense
Henry Thrun – Erik Karlsson
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Mario Ferraro
Matt Benning/Valtteri Pulli* – Kyle Burroughs*
Until we’re told otherwise, Karlsson is a Shark. He’ll be a part of the top pairing. With the way Henry Thrun ended the season, he’ll likely have the first chance to earn a spot alongside Karlsson. We’ll start the season out with those two playing on the top pairing.
Our “shutdown” pair, if you will, is Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Mario Ferraro. Vlasic wasn’t the player he was in his prime, but he did very well last season. If he can maintain that level of play, San Jose will be okay. Ferraro, meanwhile, wasn’t horrible, but he wasn’t great either. Fingers crossed that he can find a new level this season.
As for the third pairing, this is where things get a little murky. If Head Coach David Quinn and team are playing it safe, then it will likely be Matt Benning and Kyle Burroughs pairing off as the third set of defensemen. Benning wasn’t flashy last season, but he was reliable and that’s important. As for Burroughs, he has 95 NHL games under his belt and that’s…about it.
Now, if Quinn is willing to give some of the kids a shot, then new signee Valtteri Pulli might be the first on the list to find his way into the lineup. Pulli was one of the top free agents out of Europe this season.
“Valtteri is a solid defenseman with size,” said Grier after the signing in May. “He plays important minutes for good programs in TPS and the Finnish National Team camps.”
The 22-year-old played 53 regular season games for TPS of Liiga in Finland. He had 17 points (3 G, 14 A).
Another option is Radim Simek, who appears to simply be playing out his contract since Grier has not been able to move it. There’s also Jacob MacDonald, who fits into the lineup in a pinch but isn’t an ideal pick. There’s also Nick Cicek, who didn’t do poorly during his limited time playing for the Sharks.
Later in the season, Shakir Mukhamadullin might be ready to get his first taste of NHL play. New prospect Leon Gawanke is also an option.
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
Kaapo Kahkonen
If there’s one area that’s set, it’s in goal. San Jose traded a sixth round pick for Mackenzie Blackwood and then immediately signed the goalie to a two-year deal. Blackwood has suffered some injuries in the past, but says he’s good to go for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Kahkonen was not the most impressive last season, but he’s trying to make some alterations to his game. For a goaltender that takes time, so this season will be the true test to see if those changes worked. Kahkonen had the summer to work through things.
Expect both goaltenders to be healthy and ready to compete for the starting job.
Conclusion
Let’s all agree that this will not be the lineup on opening night. The Karlsson trade appears to be inevitable, so we could see one of the younger, developing defensemen sooner than anticipated.
There could also be a new name in the mix. The trade could yield a young defenseman or forward in return. Maybe someone who has promise or simply needs a change of scenery.
Labanc’s name is also floating around. Simek is likely available for trade. Those won’t yield large assets at this point in time but could offer some interesting opportunities for younger players.
What’s your take?
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