Sheng’s Daily: Vita Hästen GM Tony Zabel on Getting Marcus Sorensen from Sharks

A lot of Kevin Labanc talk yesterday at San Jose Hockey Now!

First, on the Locked On Sharks podcast, we talked about how the San Jose Sharks perceive Labanc:

Is Kevin Labanc More Than a Support Player?

Then, I continued the conversation here:

How Much Do Sharks Value Kevin Labanc?

Also, I spoke with 2018 sixth-round pick Zachary Emond about why he returned for his QMJHL overage season, what he learned from new San Jose Sharks goaltending development coach Dany Sabourin in Rouyn-Noranda, what Evgeni Nabokov wants him to improve, and the sport he almost chose to play over hockey:

Emond on Returning to QMJHL, What Nabokov Wants Him to Improve

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In other San Jose Sharks news…

In more Emond news…

#SJSharks goalie prospect Zachary Emond gets an "A"! https://t.co/0cSdf5mIrE

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) September 30, 2020

The NHL released the final order of the 2020 NHL Draft yesterday: The San Jose Sharks will pick 31st (from Tampa Bay), 34th, 56th (from Colorado via Washington), 126th (from Ottawa), 127th, 201st (from Pittsburgh), 210th (from Washington). That’s one first-round pick, two second-round picks, two fifth-round picks, and two seventh-round picks.

The Sharks have kicked the tires on UFA Bobby Ryan. (Kevin Kurz)

A scout shared his thoughts about Ryan here:

A Scout’s Argument for Bobby Ryan

Marcus Sorensen will be joining Allsvenskan’s HC Vita Hästen. (Vita Hästen)

Vita Hästen GM/head coach Tony Zabel was kind enough to talk to us about his history with Sorensen:

“I coached Marcus for the Djurgårdens junior team when I was the junior head coach. Marcus was at that time what you would call an unfinished diamond.

“He was always a skilled player and competitive, a strong skater. But at that time, my job was to teach him how to play with his teammates.

“He also had to learn a lot about off-the-ice training.

“When I became a coach for the senior team, we took Marcus with us. He became a stronger and more valuable player and I would say he was one of the biggest reasons why Djurgårdens eventually qualified for the SHL.

“In the following years in Djurgårdens, he became one of our best players and the fans loved him.

“I think we had a relationship where he knew that I always wanted to push him to be better and he knew that I would reward him if he worked hard.

“I think that meant a lot to him during his junior years. Also, picking him back up after his junior years, when he played in Allsvenskan with Borås, getting him back to Djurgårdens. I think that helped him become a really good professional player in Sweden and eventually the NHL.”

Around the NHL…

Jimmy Murphy says the Kings are in on Torey Krug. (Boston Hockey Now)

Bill Zito talks trades, free agency, the Draft, and more. (Florida Hockey Now)

Lou Lamoriello says Islanders will “get all our players signed” — that includes superstar RFA Mat Barzal. (NYI Hockey Now)

Tom Callahan weighs in how much the Golden Knights need a 1A-1B set-up in net. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Avalanche is early favorite to win 2021 Stanley Cup. (Colorado Hockey Now)

Barclay Goodrow fires back at Damien Cox saying “let’s not compare bubble hockey with the real thing.” (NBC Sports Bay Area)

Speaking of bubble hockey, the NHL is considering hybrid bubbles for the 2020-21 season. (TSN)

The top-10 UFA centermen available. (Sportsnet)

Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun talk about what the Lightning cap crunch, RFA Jake Virtanen on the market, who’s looking into Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and is Petr Mrazek available? (TSN)

Kyle Turris might be bought out; Craig Smith and Mikael Granlund will becomes UFAs. (NHL)

It’s official: Henrik Lundqvist will be bought out. (Rick Carpiniello)

I talked with scouts about what Turris and Lundqvist have left in the tank and how they might fit the San Jose Sharks:

Scouts on How Potential Buyout UFAs Would Fit Sharks