With Grier announcing that the Sharks are likely done making additions this offseason, barring a trade or something coming up similar to Yaroslav Askarov last offseason, it's a good time to look at the Sharks' depth chart heading into the season. Today, I will be looking at the Sharks' current forward depth chart.
William Eklund | Macklin Celebrini | Tyler Toffoli |
|---|---|---|
Jeff Skinner | Will Smith | Adam Gaudette |
Michael Misa | Alex Wennberg | Phillip Kurashev |
Barclay Goodrow | Zach Ostapchuck | Colin Graf |
Carl Grundstrom | Ty Dellandrea | Ryan Reaves |
Igor Chernyshov | Filip Bystedt | Cam Lund |
Quentin Musty | Patrick Giles | Kasper Halttunen |
The Sharks have an interesting mix of forwards; Eklund, Celebrini, Toffoli, Smith, and Skinner are all likely locks to be in the top 6 to at least start the season. Celebrini headlines the group. The 19-year-old is looking to build off his incredible rookie season and should be the clear-cut number 1 center for the Sharks next season. Smith will likely start the year down the middle to see how he fares after finding his game on the wing. If Smith falters, the Sharks could slot Wennberg up a slot in the top 6, and move Smith back with Celebrini, but ideally, a 1-2-3 punch of Celebrini, Smith, and Wennberg gives the Sharks stability down the middle for at least this season.
The biggest wild card for the Sharks is probably Michael Misa, the recent 2nd-overall pick, who looks likely to get at least nine games with the club before being returned to Junior. My guess would be Misa starts on the wing to make his transition easier. If Misa proves ready the Sharks lineup is a lot stronger up-front, The sharks have a glut of forwards vying for spots in the line-up, recent signings in Kurashev and Gaudette likely have the leg up for top 9 spots to start, along with youngsters in Ostapchuk and Graf, who had alot of oppurtunity with the Sharks last season, and should get a chance to establish themselves as full-time NHLers.
The Sharks are likely going to have to waive or trade one or two of Goodrow, Grundstrom, Dellandrea, and Reaves before the season. All four are 4th-line players, and I don't believe the Sharks will go into the season with all four on the NHL roster, especially if a prospect like Chernyshov, Musty, Bystedt, or Halttunen breaks camp with the Sharks. Most likely, I expect this group of players to start the year with the Barracuda unless they force the issue.
The Sharks have a lot of bodies up front. At the same time, it does not feel like young players are being actively blocked going into the season. The Sharks are set up nicely for young players to win jobs, but also have options in case they need more time to develop. It will be extremely interesting to see how the position battles shake out once we reach the regular season.