The Forwards
If we go based on the forward core alone, I struggle to see why not. There's little denying that the offense is the best part of this roster on paper. With Tyler Toffoli, Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Ty Dellandrea, Carl Grundstrom, and Alex Wennberg joining Fabian Zetterlund, William Eklund, Mikael Granlund, and the ever-lingering question of Logan Couture, the forwards look strong.
This mix of experience and youth is a perfect recipe for success. With veteran leadership from a former Stanley Cup Champion in Tyler Toffoli, these kids will pick up habits that the best players to have graced the league over the last decade have used to pursue the holy grail of the hockey world.
These aging veterans will be supported by some of the best young talents the hockey world offers. A potential franchise-altering center in Macklin Celebrini will be joining the squad. William Eklund had a solid season last year and will be looking to take that next big step this year with a lot more help around him. We don't know how Will Smith will handle the new season. There's a lot of promising youth around the organization right now.
With players like Luke Kunin, Nico Sturm, Barclay Goodrow, and even Thomas Bordeleau in the bottom six, the Sharks have explosive depth and talent around the lineup, with multiple potential stars in the making. The forward core is excellent enough to make the Sharks a competitive roster for the upcoming season.