San Jose Sharks top 5 prospects from the Vegas Rookie Faceoff
The young talent in the San Jose Sharks organization lurked through deep waters over the past week, battling against the National Hockey League’s top rookie camps. Find out which Sharks prospects took their game to the next level.
The San Jose Sharks were one of six Western Conference teams competing in the first-ever Vegas Rookie Faceoff at City National Arena. Alongside the Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Sharks swam down to the Entertainment Capital of the World to grab a piece of the action in the inaugural event. The Vegas Rookie Faceoff was quite the showcase on display as several first-round draft picks and high-end prospects collided over the four-day stretch.
San Jose finished second in the tournament with a 2-1 record. The Sharks opened with a 4-0 shutout against the Coyotes. Day two was a tough test for the San Jose Sharks as they held on late to a 5-4 victory over the Golden Knights. San Jose fell to the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 in the final game of the tournament.
Check out the day-by-day results for all three San Jose Sharks contests.
Day 1
0. 121. 4. 120. Final
Day 2
120. Final. 4. 942. 5
Day 3
120. 6. 103. Final. 3
The Sharks showcased a wide range of budding stars on all levels of offense, defense, and goaltending. A handful of those prospects stood out, including a few who you could see on Team Teal sooner rather than later.
5. Zachary Emond
Zachary Emond made quite the first impression in his lone assignment of defending between the pipes in the opening day of the Vegas Rookie Faceoff. The 176th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft stopped all 33 shots that came his way. Backed up by a comfortable lead early on, Emond carried the Sharks to 4-0 shutout victory over the Coyotes.
Emond was the only goaltender out of all six teams competing in the tournament to record a shutout, which came on the very first game of the inaugural event. Talk about being calm, cool, and collected, the 18-year-old netminder certainly was in front of an inquisitive City National Arena crowd. Despite his 6-foot-3, 165-pound figure, Emond proved that his slender structure was no obstacle in securing San Jose’s first win of the weekend.
From Saint-Cyprien, Quebec, Emond entered the rookie camp after a successful season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. With the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Emond compiled a 3.26 goals against average and a .897 save percentage in 24 games played.
Alongside Josef Korenar and Max Paddock as one of three Sharks goaltending prospects at the Vegas Rookie Faceoff, Emond looks to stay with San Jose as the Sharks prepare for the preseason in one week.
4. Maxim Letunov
Maxim Letunov dazzled with a goal and an assist, both of which were on the power play during the first two games of the Vegas Rookie Faceoff.
On the second night, the 22-year-old center excelled on special teams. Letunov tallied a power play goal and an assist, which extended the Sharks lead to 4-1 at the time against the Golden Knights. Furthermore, the Russian Centerman demonstrated his team chemistry on the first power play unit with his swift faceoff draws and the mentality of screening and crashing the net.
Letunov, drafted by the St. Louis Blues with the 55th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. He was then traded to the Arizona Coyotes before the Sharks acquired his rights in 2016.
The 6-foot-4 native of Moscow held his ground as one of older prospects among the San Jose Sharks rookie camp. After three seasons as a UCONN Husky notching 95 points in 105 games, Letunov looks ahead to be a substantial threat with the San Jose Barracuda and remain on the Sharks training camp roster.
The Sharks report to camp tomorrow, September 14.
3. Jacob McGrew
After recovering from a year-long right knee injury, Jacob McGrew returned to the ice and excelled in both his appearances against the Coyotes and Golden Knights, respectively.
McGrew recorded a team-high four points in the tournament, including two goals and an assist against the reigning Western Conference champions. The Spokane Chiefs standout picked up the second goal in the 4-0 win over Arizona, getting his stick on a wayward shot to extend San Jose’s lead to 2-0 midway through the second period.
The 19-year-old right winger had a big night in the second contest against Vegas, getting the Sharks on the scoreboard first on a nifty pass from line mate Jayden Halbgewachs. McGrew continued as a threatening sniper on the man-advantage, collecting a power play goal and assist in the second period.
As a late sixth-round draft pick by the San Jose Sharks in the 2016 Draft, McGrew deservedly made the cut for the Sharks main training camp roster. It must feel truly special for the native of Orange, California to have a legitimate shot to play for the team he grew up watching. But, for now, McGrew will continue to improve and take his game back to the Western Hockey League where he put up 38 points in 65 games last year with Spokane.
2. Ivan Chekhovich
Ivan Chekhovich strongly presented his case as San Jose’s best rookie forward over the four-day showcase. Participating in all three games, Chekhovich tallied two goals and an assist, and was a driving force during the mid-tournament practice.
More from Blades of Teal
- San Jose Sharks fans need this Erik Karlsson shirt from BreakingT
- Norris Trophy odds show Erik Karlsson a step above the rest
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Korenar deserves a chance at the NHL level
- Three prospects the Sharks should consider drafting
The 19-year-old Russian left-winger scored the first Sharks goal in the opener of the Vegas Rookie Faceoff in the final minute of the first period. Later on, Chekhovich sealed the deal with the fourth San Jose goal as the Sharks earned the first win of the rookie camp.
In the match-up with the host Golden Knights, Chekhovich played an important role on the second forward line, demonstrating his high hockey IQ and a quick wrist shot. His late empty-net goal in the third period stood as the game-winner. Vegas went on to score two more goals after, yet the Sharks held on with the 5-4 victory.
Blossoming late-round draft picks by the San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson have proved to make an early impact in the rookie camps. Chekhovich, McGrew, and Sasha Chmelevski all tallied points.
Chekhovich, a 212th-overall pick by the Sharks in 2017, will soon see time with the San Jose Barracuda, but he’ll stick to juniors with Baie-Comeau Drakkar for the upcoming season.
1. Ryan Merkley
While Ryan Merkley did not fill up the stat sheet over the weekend, the San Jose Sharks 2018 first-round draft pick impressed in all facets on the blue line. The 18-year-old defenseman was all over the ice, jumping up on odd-man rushes and breaking up playing in the neutral and defensive zones.
A concern rose with Merkley throughout the rookie camp was his recklessness, given his 63 penalty minutes in 63 games last year with the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League. However, the 21st overall pick proved he can control his temper. Merkley expressed fearlessness as he skated down the ice taking heavy hits from his opposition.
Merkley has been comparable to 2017 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns for his mentality to create scoring breaks from San Jose’s territory as well as move through on offensive rushes with ease. In the season to come, Burns will soon take Merkley under his wing and shape him into one of the Sharks top four defensemen with discipline and smart decision-making.
A native of Oakville, Ontario, Merkley arguably stands as the Sharks top prospect has he continues to improve his shot and develop his strength at the Sharks main training camp. Depending on his play in the preseason, Merkley holds a real chance at playing with the San Jose Sharks during the upcoming 2018-2019 season.
*** *** ***
The Sharks young stars shined bright over a successful inaugural Rookie Faceoff. With so many prospects taking the spotlight over the four-day event, San Jose’s youth looks to grow even more in the main training camp taking place for the next week.
Next. Why Evander Kane will Lead the Sharks in Scoring. dark
The Sharks will find out which top rookies are ready to step up and embrace the hunt as the preseason begins Tuesday, September 18 against the Anaheim Ducks.