San Jose’s annual development camp will feature many of the organization’s top prospects including Timo Meier and 2016 second-round pick Dylan Gambrell.
Last week, the San Jose Sharks released the dates for the 2016 development camp which will begin on Friday, July 8th at Sharks Ice in San Jose.
Earlier today, team teal announced the prospects that will be in attendance for the five-day camp which culminates in their prospect scrimmage a week from today on July 12th.
The headliner of the group for Sharks fans is clearly 2015 first-round pick Timo Meier who is expected to challenge for a roster spot in San Jose next season.
Having Meier be able to work in and around the coaching staff during the camp should only make him more comfortable when training camp arrives in the fall. It’s safe to say that all eyes will be fixed upon Meier when things get underway on Friday.
Also of note is another former first-round pick in Nikolay Goldobin. It was an up-and-down campaign for Goldobin last year as he spent a majority of the season with the Barracuda in the AHL.
In 60 games, Goldobin tied for the team-lead with 21 goals and finished with 44 points, but did end up with a minus-nine rating. His defensive work and effort have always been the knock on the talented youngster so it should be interesting to see how he responds after having a season in the AHL under his belt.
Other prospects of note are 2016 draft picks Dylan Gambrell and Noah Gregor who were San Jose’s first two picks in the 2016 NHL Draft. It’s always intriguing to get a first look at these prospects to see how they might fit in down the line.
Another name that might be of interest to Sharks fans is Maxim Letunov.
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Letunov is a player San Jose acquired from the Arizona Coyotes before free agency for a pair of draft picks as team teal liked the potential of the young center.
On the back end, Jeremy Roy and Mantas Armalis are two names to be on the look out for. Roy is a puck-moving blue liner who fits the mold of the modern NHL game.
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Meanwhile, Armalis is a goaltender who was signed as a free agent this spring and could be a candidate for time with the Barracuda this year.
All-in-all, it should be an exciting time as Sharks fans get an opportunity to see what the future may hold. San Jose is clearly high on some of their young prospects so some of the players who hit the ice for the camp may find themselves wearing a Sharks sweater at some point next year.