Best, Worst Drafts in Sharks History

The San Jose Sharks could use a franchise-altering Draft.

Four straight years out of the playoffs, the Sharks need some prospects to hit to get themselves back in the running.

In the last 10 drafts, San Jose has only unearthed four NHL regulars, and two of them now play elsewhere, Mario Ferraro and Kevin Labanc, and Josh Norris of the Ottawa Senators and Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils.

In contrast, consistent contender Boston Bruins have selected almost a dozen regulars in the same period of time: Jeremy Swayman, Charlie McAvoy, Trent Frederic, Ryan Lindgren, Jake DeBrusk, Brandon Carlo, Jeremy Lauzon, Daniel Vladar, David Pastrnak, Ryan Donato, and Danton Heinen.

Another way to look at it, the Sharks have dug up 2,479 NHL regular season games, 424 goals, and 992 points out of their last decade of Drafts so far…and the Bruins 4,059 NHL games, 716 goals, and 1,770 points.

Of course, the book on the most recent Drafts isn’t closed yet – 2021 first-rounder William Eklund, for example, might make up some of the gap between San Jose and Boston.

But in short, the San Jose Sharks need another 2003 Draft – Joe Pavelski, Milan Michalek, Matt Carle, and Steve Bernier – and not another 2000.

The Sharks got 22 games and 2 points out of the 2000, from Jon DiSalvatore, Nolan Schaefer, and Chad Wiseman.

Let’s take a look at the best and worst Drafts in San Jose Sharks history. Skaters who have accumulated over 1,000 and 500 games, and goaltenders over 600 and 300 appearances are highlighted.

• The 2003 Draft has produced the most NHL games and goals of any Sharks’ Draft, and should surpass 1991 in points next season, thanks to Pavelski.
• Currently, three San Jose Sharks’ Drafts have yielded 3,000-plus NHL games: 2003, 1997, and 1991.
• Even with Justin Braun’s recent retirement, the 2007 Draft could join the 3,000 club soon, powered by Logan Couture and Nick Bonino.
• Just one San Jose Sharks Draft has yielded two 1,000-game skaters, 1997. Only one has had four 500-game skaters, 2003.
• Couture (927) is nearing 1,000 games. Timo Meier (472), Kevin Labanc (432), Sean Kuraly (418), and Dylan DeMelo (472) are closing in on 500. Tommy Wingels (448), Ryane Clowe (491), Andrei Zyuzin (496), and Vaclav Varada (493) just missed. Goaltender Vesa Toskala (266) was just short of 300.

By the way, here’s how I came up with 600 goalie games as the equivalent of 1,000 skater games, and 300 goalie games as the equivalent of 500 skater games.

Has Bias Against Drafting Goalie in 1st Round Gone Too Far?