Now that we're approximately a quarter of the way through the season, it’s a good time to look at the individual players on the Sharks and give grades for how their seasons have gone. Since there are many players to cover, I will split this article into three parts: forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders, along with my overall grade for the Sharks.
Additionally, I won't be grading players not currently on the Sharks roster or on IR. Let's get into it.
Macklin Celebrini - Grade: A++
Giving Celebrini an A++ grade is still underselling how important he has been to the Sharks this season. The 19-year-old phenom has 36 points in 25 games and has a new mind-blowing statistical comparison almost every time he steps on the ice. He is the engine of the Sharks, and the most complete player I have seen at 19 years old in my lifetime. The most significant difference from this year is the improvements in his decision-making and shot selection, as well as a noticeable difference in strength. He looks stronger with his stick in the corners this year, which allows him to win battles more consistently. In addition, he has been making better decisions with the puck on his stick and taking better shots. There is still room to grow in these areas, however, and that is the scariest thing about Celebrini, just how much better he can be in a year or two.
Will Smith - Grade A+
Smith gets lost in Celebrini’s shadow when it comes to the national media, but what he has been doing has been spectacular in his own right. The 20-year-old winger has been playing with Celebrini and has continued to build on his surge last season. Looking at his last 59 games, going back to the previous year, Smith has 52 points, which is just under a point per game pace, impressive numbers for someone who is only just entering their 20s. Smith has been a dynamic playmaker; he can thread the needle with ease and make plays other players can’t. He also has the ability to beat goaltenders clean with his wrister when he chooses to shoot. That is something that he proved last season and has carried into this season. He has made other strides; however, he looks faster and has started to show the ability to create turnovers defensively with more regularity. Smith is always going to lean heavily on his ability to create goals, but it’s promising to see his growth in other areas is trending in a good direction.
William Eklund - Grade B+
It's been a solid season for Eklund; he has 15 points in 21 games and was on a massive hot streak before being slowed by an injury. Eklund has been a similar player to last season; he is a plus skater and playmaker, creates high-danger scoring chances, and is relentless after the puck. He has improved as a skater; he is using his skating to drive the net more than in previous years, and it has clearly become an advantage for him against opposing defenders. There are still some things you want to see from Eklund, however, that may limit his overall potential. While he creates a lot of chances for himself and others, he still struggles with finishing these opportunities. The difference between him being a 50-60 point two-way winger and a point-per-game forward likely lies in his ability to improve in this area.
Philipp Kurashev - Grade A-
Kurashev has been a bargain for the Sharks. The 26-year-old has made himself at home in the top 6 and has shown an ability to make high-skilled plays along with a solid motor, making him an ideal complementary player. The Sharks couldn't ask for more with the $ 1.5 million investment. Kurashev also has another year of control as an RFA, so the Sharks can easily retain him for future seasons.
Tyler Toffoli - Grade C
It’s been a down year for Toffoli; the veteran winger looks to have lost a step at 33, which is not unexpected but not a good sign considering he has two years remaining at $6 million per year. He still has 12 points in 24 games, but hopefully, he is just playing through something right now and can pick up his play as the season progresses.
Alex Wennberg - Grade B+
Wennberg has been solid for the Sharks; he can play on the power play, kill penalties, hold his own defensively against opposing top lines and chip in some scoring with 13 points in 25 games. He is not a perfect player, but he is an important piece for this Sharks team. He is in the last year of his deal, so it’s possible if the Sharks fall out of the race, he is dangled as a trade chip, but given the lack of stable veterans on the roster and lack of centre depth, I wouldn't be surprised if they decide to keep Wennnberg around.
Collin Graf - Grade B
Graf has emerged as an everyday player for the Sharks, playing in all but one game this season and posting 10 points in 24 games. He is a key penalty killer for the Sharks and brings speed to the bottom-six. All in all, Graf has proved himself an excellent find for the Sharks and is having a solid first season as a full-time NHLer.
Ty Dellandrea - Grade B-
Dellandrea won’t wow anybody, but the 25-year-old former first-round pick has completely changed my perception of him heading into the season. Last season, Dellandrea scored 8 points in 68 games in a depth role and did not look like an NHL-calibre player. This season, Dellandrea has matched his totals from last season with 8 points in 25 games and has emerged as a quality energy forward and penalty killer in the bottom six with position versatility.
Adam Gaudette - Grade B-
Gaudette has been a solid addition to the forward group. The 29-year-old is currently tied for 3rd on the team in goals with six, and while he won’t provide much besides putting the puck in the net with just one assist in 21 games, the Sharks need depth players who can put the puck in the net, and Gaudette can do that. His ability to play both on the wing on a scoring line and centre the 4th line also makes him more valuable.
Jeff Skinner - Grade C
Skinner has been out with an injury over the last little bit, but has a solid sample size this season with four goals and 7 points in 17 games. When healthy, Skinner hasn’t scored enough to make up for his defensive play, but he has been fine for what he is as a 3rd-line scoring winger. When he is healthy, he needs to factor a bit more on the scoreboard to not fall out of the lineup as he has at times this season.
Barclay Goodrow - Grade F
Goodrow has been the Sharks' worst forward this season, and it is not really close. His game has completely deteriorated from its peak, and his offence has completely dried up; his only goal this year was deflected off his skate, and I couldn't tell you the last time I remember him cleanly beating a goaltender. His defensive game has also declined; he isn't the same player he used to be, even on the penalty kill, and the eye test isn't pretty either. He brings leadership to a young team, but it hasn’t been a good season, and he may be on his last leg in the NHL at this point.
Ryan Reaves - Grade C+
If the Sharks were an extremely dominant Stanley Cup contender, I'd probably be furious about how much they play Ryan Reaves, but given where they are, Reaves has brought a lot of value to the Sharks. He brings physicality every shift he is out there and provides energy on the bench and in the locker room. He has been a good and needed addition for the Sharks, given where they are as a young team in the NHL, precisely what he was advertised to be when they acquired him.
Zack Ostapchuk - Grade C
He has only gotten into seven games this season, and to this point, he has not scored a point for the Sharks. Still, Ostapchuk has looked fine as a physical defensive 4th line centre, and the Goodrow - Ostapchuk - Reaves line has been the best iteration of the Sharks' 4th line this season. Still, you would like to see some more offence given what the Sharks gave up to get him at the last trade deadline.
Michael Misa - Grade C
It’s been a rough season for Misa so far; he has been in and out of the lineup for development days. When he does play, it’s mainly on the 3rd line with 2nd unit Powerplay time. Not exactly an ideal role for him to find some confidence and consistency. Then he got hurt in warm-ups against the Kraken and has missed multiple weeks since. When he returns, he is likely ticketed for an AHL conditioning stint followed by the WJC’s. After that, the Sharks have to decide if they want to keep him around for the season, and at this point, it may be better to let him finish the year in Juniors and get some extra playing time.