If it’s not Schafer it’s gotta be Misa. Not saying Haggens isn’t good but he’s basically a Smith clone. You need variety in the types of players in your lineup. I can’t see the sharks passing up on Schafer if he’s available considering how bad our defensive prospect pool is compared to our forward group.
Will Smith had 71 points in 41 games last year. James Hagans currently has 27 points in 24 games. He doesn't seem to be dominating as much as Smith and Celebrini, unless his game defensive/compete game is very strong. I haven't sought out any footage to know. All descriptions of Misa make me think he's better than Hagans. *shrug*
So if we get Schaefer and we also have Dickenson, Thrun, Muka, Wallenius, and Cagnoni, that makes for a stacked left side. But uhh… what about the right side?
Definitely think Schaefer should be the goal. Sharks desperately need some good defense and if we're able to utilize our cap space well, the ideal situation imo would be try to get a good veteran defenseman with good numbers on the defensive analytics and use them as a mentor for him to develop. Sure it'll take a few years on average for defensemen to develop well, but we're still a ways away from thinking about shooting for playoffs, so this would be the best time to draft and develop
I think given the number of strong offense prospects in our system and the lack of strong defense prospects in our system, the top Shark choice should be Schaefer. This draft isn't as strong as the last two, so Schaefer won't be as dominant as Bedard or Celebrini was, but he should still make 2nd defense pairing on most teams and potentially challenge for top pair. I'm personally go for Misa, Hagens, Martone, and McQueen in that order, if for some reason we do not get Schaefer. With the trading away of Ceci and Granlund, and potentially moving Ferarro and Sturm (I see these as players a contender might want to add to seriously strengthen their 4th line or to add defensive depth), I think the Sharks finish 32nd. That is roughly a 25% chance at the first pick. If we lost the lottery on both 1st and 2nd picks (those are the two that are random) we could drop as low as picking 3rd (or 4th is Chicago finishes worse than us). Having a Dickinson first pair and a Schaefer second pair would be two very solid defense pairs. Both of these players are effective (at the CHL level) on defense and in transitioning/passing the puck out of the defensive zone. They both skate well and are complete players. At worst, we'd have two very solid middle pairs, but there's a decent shot that either or both could play well enough to be a first pair and having two pairs that would be first pair quality on most teams wouldn't be bad at all. If we miss Schaefer, my top choice is Misa because he has a complete game. I'm not sure if Smith will end up being a strong center or not, but he's showing a lot of strength on the wing. If Misa is the center (he also plays LW), he is very defensively aware so that would get us two lines that have four solid players for next season (Celebrini/Eklund & Misa/Smith) with a potential future Selke winner on each of the top two lines. Misa has excelled as a 4th line grinding player and as a 1st line production player; you can put him anywhere and he will add to the team. I'd still rather have Schaefer than Misa, due to the number of strong forward prospects we have vs having lots of decent defense prospects but not many that appear to be top quality. I think Chicago would prefer one of the forwards to Schaefer. They have ten strong defensive prospects in their system and an 11th good prospect isn't as good considering they're lacking on the number of top forward prospects. If they win the draft lottery, I could see them being willing to trade the #1 for one of the top four picks. I mean, if they're going to take Hagens/Misa anyway, they could drop from 1st to 3rd and net maybe the Sharks pick (that we got from Dallas) as something extra. No guarantee that San Jose would have the best offer, but if you're okay with the one of the forwards, why not get something extra if you win the lottery. In the offseason, I hope the Sharks sign 2-3 strong defensive defensemen. Due to age, Dickinson won't quality for the AHL so it is another OHL or NHL season for him. I don't see him developing more in the OHL next year. But the NHL could be a painful transition. Partner him with a strong defensive defenseman and maybe have him as 2nd or 3rd pair so not playing against the top opposition on most nights.... I'd also call up Askarov as the starter for next season. We need a backup and one of Vanacek/Georgiev or someone similar (since both their contracts expire) would do. I'd give Askarov 50 of the games since we're not likely to hit the playoffs yet. Having those 2-3 solid defense in front of him would make his job a lot easier. If we added 3 solid defense to the team (2-3 year contracts), Askarov could challenge for the Calder trophy (he's hasn't played enough games yet to disqualify him as a rookie next season). Schaefer is comparable to Doughty/Niedermayer in style, but likely not impact. He should be good, but not projected to be at their level. I've watched all his UA-cam available reviews and highlights and have not heard him referred to as generational. They talked that way of Berard and also of DuPont (who will likely go 1st overall in the 2027 draft).
Schaefer my #1 choice based on need and talent.. but im not gonna get my hopes up getting back to back #1 picks. It will be a good day as long as we're top 3/4 . (Plenty of useful "weapons" to help the forwards) It will be a GREAT day if we get the #1.
If we got Schaefer how long would it take for him to be NHL ready and be able to consistently play NHL games? Just wondering since I am not familiar with the development process of guys in the NHL.
It’s rare for a D man to break in at 18, but it happens. Vlasic did that. If Schaefer shows up and camp and gives them no reason to move him down they’ll keep him. That said, I wouldn’t expect him to be super mega star D man in his first year. It’s just hard to play defense in the NHL. It’s easier to be offensive at a young age than it is being sound defensively.
If Schaefer is available the Sharks should 100% take him. That type of young franchise D-man that can grow with our core is does not come around often, (see Cale Makar). If he is gone already I would take Martone, Misa then Hagen's in that order. Martone gives our prospect pool something it is missing in a true power forward with point per game plus upside. Musty has the size but does not use it enough even where he is playing now so I consider him more of a skilled big man than a true power forward. Misa and to a lesser extent Hagen would be a nice to have as he could be our C2 freeing up Smith to be a wing on the top line, (or vice versa).
If it’s not Schafer it’s gotta be Misa. Not saying Haggens isn’t good but he’s basically a Smith clone. You need variety in the types of players in your lineup. I can’t see the sharks passing up on Schafer if he’s available considering how bad our defensive prospect pool is compared to our forward group.
Scheafer might not go number 1 , since he got hurt
@ It’s an interesting because last year was such an easy slam dunk. I’ve heard pretty good arguments for the top 3-4 guys. Who would you go with?
Schaefer sounds like the sort of player we need.
Unfortunately he’s the sort of player basically most teams need.
Will Smith had 71 points in 41 games last year.
James Hagans currently has 27 points in 24 games.
He doesn't seem to be dominating as much as Smith and Celebrini, unless his game defensive/compete game is very strong.
I haven't sought out any footage to know.
All descriptions of Misa make me think he's better than Hagans. *shrug*
Hagens does seem to have a better defensive game then Smith, but due to play style I would definitely prefer Misa over Hagens
Misa Martone if not Schaefer not Hagens we’re small enough already
So if we get Schaefer and we also have Dickenson, Thrun, Muka, Wallenius, and Cagnoni, that makes for a stacked left side. But uhh… what about the right side?
No brainer if we get the first pick. If not I’d go with Misa or Martone
Definitely think Schaefer should be the goal. Sharks desperately need some good defense and if we're able to utilize our cap space well, the ideal situation imo would be try to get a good veteran defenseman with good numbers on the defensive analytics and use them as a mentor for him to develop. Sure it'll take a few years on average for defensemen to develop well, but we're still a ways away from thinking about shooting for playoffs, so this would be the best time to draft and develop
I think given the number of strong offense prospects in our system and the lack of strong defense prospects in our system, the top Shark choice should be Schaefer. This draft isn't as strong as the last two, so Schaefer won't be as dominant as Bedard or Celebrini was, but he should still make 2nd defense pairing on most teams and potentially challenge for top pair.
I'm personally go for Misa, Hagens, Martone, and McQueen in that order, if for some reason we do not get Schaefer.
With the trading away of Ceci and Granlund, and potentially moving Ferarro and Sturm (I see these as players a contender might want to add to seriously strengthen their 4th line or to add defensive depth), I think the Sharks finish 32nd. That is roughly a 25% chance at the first pick. If we lost the lottery on both 1st and 2nd picks (those are the two that are random) we could drop as low as picking 3rd (or 4th is Chicago finishes worse than us).
Having a Dickinson first pair and a Schaefer second pair would be two very solid defense pairs. Both of these players are effective (at the CHL level) on defense and in transitioning/passing the puck out of the defensive zone. They both skate well and are complete players. At worst, we'd have two very solid middle pairs, but there's a decent shot that either or both could play well enough to be a first pair and having two pairs that would be first pair quality on most teams wouldn't be bad at all.
If we miss Schaefer, my top choice is Misa because he has a complete game. I'm not sure if Smith will end up being a strong center or not, but he's showing a lot of strength on the wing. If Misa is the center (he also plays LW), he is very defensively aware so that would get us two lines that have four solid players for next season (Celebrini/Eklund & Misa/Smith) with a potential future Selke winner on each of the top two lines. Misa has excelled as a 4th line grinding player and as a 1st line production player; you can put him anywhere and he will add to the team.
I'd still rather have Schaefer than Misa, due to the number of strong forward prospects we have vs having lots of decent defense prospects but not many that appear to be top quality.
I think Chicago would prefer one of the forwards to Schaefer. They have ten strong defensive prospects in their system and an 11th good prospect isn't as good considering they're lacking on the number of top forward prospects. If they win the draft lottery, I could see them being willing to trade the #1 for one of the top four picks. I mean, if they're going to take Hagens/Misa anyway, they could drop from 1st to 3rd and net maybe the Sharks pick (that we got from Dallas) as something extra. No guarantee that San Jose would have the best offer, but if you're okay with the one of the forwards, why not get something extra if you win the lottery.
In the offseason, I hope the Sharks sign 2-3 strong defensive defensemen. Due to age, Dickinson won't quality for the AHL so it is another OHL or NHL season for him. I don't see him developing more in the OHL next year. But the NHL could be a painful transition. Partner him with a strong defensive defenseman and maybe have him as 2nd or 3rd pair so not playing against the top opposition on most nights....
I'd also call up Askarov as the starter for next season. We need a backup and one of Vanacek/Georgiev or someone similar (since both their contracts expire) would do. I'd give Askarov 50 of the games since we're not likely to hit the playoffs yet. Having those 2-3 solid defense in front of him would make his job a lot easier. If we added 3 solid defense to the team (2-3 year contracts), Askarov could challenge for the Calder trophy (he's hasn't played enough games yet to disqualify him as a rookie next season).
Schaefer is comparable to Doughty/Niedermayer in style, but likely not impact. He should be good, but not projected to be at their level. I've watched all his UA-cam available reviews and highlights and have not heard him referred to as generational. They talked that way of Berard and also of DuPont (who will likely go 1st overall in the 2027 draft).
Martone?
Tyler is on a no - trade contract I think
Schaefer my #1 choice based on need and talent.. but im not gonna get my hopes up getting back to back #1 picks.
It will be a good day as long as we're top 3/4 . (Plenty of useful "weapons" to help the forwards)
It will be a GREAT day if we get the #1.
Toffoli 100% no trade
Ya Toffoli isn’t going anywhere 4 years with a no move clause. Staying is why he signed in San Jose… and Miss would be awesome
If we got Schaefer how long would it take for him to be NHL ready and be able to consistently play NHL games? Just wondering since I am not familiar with the development process of guys in the NHL.
Depends on how they look in training camp and preseason, he could technically start year one like Celebrini did if the team thinks he is ready
It’s rare for a D man to break in at 18, but it happens. Vlasic did that. If Schaefer shows up and camp and gives them no reason to move him down they’ll keep him.
That said, I wouldn’t expect him to be super mega star D man in his first year. It’s just hard to play defense in the NHL. It’s easier to be offensive at a young age than it is being sound defensively.
I don't think there are players named James Hagen or Michael Missa in the draft.
If not Schaefer, get Martone. You need a power forward to win in the playoffs.
Sharks doesn’t really need the #1 pick if Hawks get it. I see Hawks taking Misa, Shaeffer dropping to #2 to Sharks.
Musty is a power forward Smith needs a power guy to play with his game needs a guy or 2 that will play the toughest areas while Smith cooks
If Schaefer is available the Sharks should 100% take him. That type of young franchise D-man that can grow with our core is does not come around often, (see Cale Makar). If he is gone already I would take Martone, Misa then Hagen's in that order. Martone gives our prospect pool something it is missing in a true power forward with point per game plus upside. Musty has the size but does not use it enough even where he is playing now so I consider him more of a skilled big man than a true power forward. Misa and to a lesser extent Hagen would be a nice to have as he could be our C2 freeing up Smith to be a wing on the top line, (or vice versa).
Zero chance we chose Misa over Schaefer. Zero. Point. Zero. And I like Misa.
FIRE GRIER, he's absolutely useless and the head coach sucks as well.
This is Grier's third yr, how long will he get, to build a winner?? 10 yrs?