When the Sharks signed Collin Graf before the end of the 2024 season, it was a big win for the organization. Graf, who went undrafted in 2021, was the top college free agent on the market after a stellar career at Quinnipiac, where he tallied 108 points in 75 games in his two seasons with the Bobcats.
Graf had an underwhelming cameo after signing, putting up two assists in 7 games, and looked unnoticeable on the ice. Graf looked like a completely different player this season. With the Barracuda, Graf put up 35 points in 40 games and forced a call-up to the Sharks, getting into 33 games and putting up 11 points. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Graf was not your typical rookie forward; Graf was mainly used in a 3rd line role and got top PK minutes, something rarely given to rookies, including Macklin Celebrini, who is known for his two-way play at a young age.
Graf did an admirable job on the PK for the Sharks; his combination of speed and hockey IQ make him an ideal fit for this role. Ryan Warsofsky said this on his decision to play Collin Graf on the PK via San Jose Hockey Now. “He’s a smart player. So when the structure breaks down, he can make a read,” Warsofsky said. “Similar to what Logan could do. Mikael could do it. That’s the biggest trend that’s going on in the National Hockey League right now, and you’re seeing more high-end skill guys PK’ing.”
As Graf continues to develop, he looks like he could be a critical support piece for the next Sharks core; he will most likely never be a top scorer, but his versatility to play on either special team unit and hockey IQ make him valuable on any forward line.
The Sharks will need more Collin Graf's if they plan to contend in the future. These are not necessarily similar players but unheralded prospects and players in the undrafted free-agent market. The Sharks have struggled to find these players in recent years, with many of their recent bets not paying off in any significant way. One of Doug Wilson's biggest downfalls in his tenure was his inability to add considerable talent in this market near the end of his tenure when filling out a cap-strapped team. This worked great earlier, with players like Melker Karlsson, Joonas Donskoi, and Barclay Goodrow becoming key depth on excellent Sharks teams. Collin Graf is an excellent find and, hopefully, the first of many as the Sharks look to fill out their team in the future.