The Sharks Rebuild

[Pop Zeus]

Checking in on the Sharks' rebuild.

This franchise made so many disastrous decisions - trading the farm for Karlsson. Evander Cane. Dumping Pavelski, their captain.

They've traded away any veterans now, including Hertl and Meier.

This will be year 5 without the playoffs - and it's their worst yet.

Here's a look at the drafting of the Sharks.
2020
The Sharks didn't have their high pick - traded for Karlsson.

31 - Ozzy Wiesblatt - Small feisty forward has had very little success through two years in the AHL and he was reassigned to the Admirals.
38 - Thomas Bordeleau - Left Michigan after 2 years. He's been very productive at the AHL level and is averaging 1/2 point per game at the NHL level. Looks like a good pick.
56 - Tristan Robins - Another small forward, Robinsons has been solid at the AHL level through two years, but hasn't really shown he belongs at the NHL level
76 - Danil Gushchin - 5'8 winger has torn up the AHL this season. Has 3 points in 4 NHL games.
98 - Brandon Coe - 6'5 winger not showing a lot.

Given they didn't have a high first, it was a solid draft. Bordelau looks like the best bet. I remember being fairly high on Wiesblatt, Bordelau, Robins, Oberg and even Spitserov as a late pick.
Nothing in this draft looks like a core player though.

2021
7. William Eklund - Lots of Wings fans wanted him. In his first full season, he's been OK (12-23-35 in 71 games). He's had an awkward road to the NHL. Maybe he turns into a stud, but he really looks like more of a complimentary talent who can excel if guys make room for him.
81 - No second round pick. They draft Ben Gaudreau who is still in the OHL and not playing very well.
103 - 6'2 defenseman Gannon Laroque. Has only made 7 games in the AHL so far.
121 - Ethan Cardwell - Seems like a solid pick. 19-17-36 in 62 games in his AHL rookie season.
135 - Arten Guryev - 6'4 defenseman. 2-2-5 in 31 AHL games.

Eklund could be a legit top liner. Maybe. Cardwell might be a decent depth guy one day.

2022
27 - Filip Bystedt - Again, no early picks. The Sharks take Bystedt, a 6'3 forward who seems to have regressed a bit in his D2 year. Seems like a pro - but more than a third liner?
34 - Cam Lund - Went 11-19-30 in college. Seems pretty good.
45 - Mattias Havelid - 5'9 defenseman. 2-10-12 in Sweden
76 - Michael Fisher - 6'2 toolsy D, but went 1-1-2 as a freshman with Northeastern.
108 - Mason Beaupit - 6'6 goalie is sliding backwards and went from the WHL to BCHL.

Maybe a middle six forward in Bystedt. Too early to say about anyone else.

2023
4. William Smith. 23-45-68 in his freshman year at Boston. Had a nice WJC too.
26. Quentin Musty. 43-49-102 in 53 OH games. Nice season for him. Still just 18 the big 6'2 forward.
36. Kasper Halttunen - 6'3, 215 pound winger has 32-29-61 for the Knights in the OHL in his first North American season. Like Musty, there are some questions about the skating.
71. Brandon Svoboda - Still in the USHL and wasn't doing much. Trade to Fargo seems to have helped him out.
123. Luca Cagnoni - Small LD. 18-72-90 for Portland.
130. Axel Landen. 6'1 sweed. 35 games 0-0-0 in his Swe rookie year.
203. Yegor Rimashevsky. 45 games 5-9-14 as a KHL rookie for the 6'2 winger.

The Sharks took some swings.
Maybe they have a first line center. Looks like they have solid bets at wing. Is Cagnoni a future NHLer? How did he last until round 4?

Overall, what do the sharks have
Not much.

Another big name forward in this year's draft would be huge - but at some point they need to start landing defense. Mumhamudullin seems like their best prospect on D.

I'd say at least 2-3 more years in the bottom 5 before they can start to feel good about their core.