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SJHN Daily: Schaefer Tops McKenzie’s Mid-Season Draft Rankings, Askarov Has New Mask

The Bobfather is back with his midseason Draft rankings.
Bob McKenzie released his updated rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft on Wednesday. The San Jose Sharks are expected to have another top pick this summer, so it’s important to start learning some of these names as soon as possible.
McKenzie unsurprisingly had Erie Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer at the top of the list despite his current injury. The center who took over Will Smith’s spot alongside of Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard at Boston College, James Hagens was second.
The top four spots were all filled by North American skaters, as Michael Misa of the Saginaw Spirit and Porter Martone from the Brampton Steelheads were third and fourth respectively. The first European skater was Anton Frondell from Djurgardens in Sweden, at fifth.
Check out McKenzie’s top-80 list for more rankings, like where Victor Eklund, William’s brother, ended up.
At San Jose Hockey Now…
The San Jose Sharks made a couple of transactions on Wednesday.
Scouts give their opinion on new San Jose Sharks wingers Walker Duehr and Pavol Regenda.
Injury updates for the San Jose Sharks, including Vitek Vanecek and Tyler Toffoli.
How Will Smith became the player and person we see today.
Even as a kid, Henry Thrun was a player mature beyond his years.
Aaron Dell is happy to be back in San Jose.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic wants the NHL to introduce a new award for defensemen.
Other Sharks News…
A few members of the San Jose Sharks find themselves on the Athletic’s most recent trade board. They think Mikael Granlund could fit the Leafs?
Danil Gushchin is back!
Great to see Gushchin back! First game since 12/29, had an upper-body injury https://t.co/OR7KW2p3tb
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 23, 2025
LIVE NOW🚨 Support our local First Responders and place your bid now!
Proceeds benefit the San Jose Fire Department Burn Foundation.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 23, 2025
Congrats to Barracuda prospect Jeremie Bucheler!
Michal Stinil and Jérémie Bucheler have been named to the ECHL 2024-25 Midseason All-Star Team ⛈️https://t.co/QOkVaKzhjg
— Wichita Thunder (@Wichita_Thunder) January 22, 2025
The Sharks released their Lunar New Year collection:
🎨 The 2025 Lunar New Year Artist collection is here! Don't miss out on this limited-edition merch with featured logo design by local artist Eric Bui @lolwtferic. Grab yours online or in-arena at this Saturday's game celebrating Lunar New Year!
🛍️ https://t.co/HbHDH0FPsr pic.twitter.com/vu1viEEZnV— Sharks Pro Shop @ SAP Center (@sjsharksproshop) January 22, 2025
Thank you, ‘Cuda Country, for really showing up!
Our donation drive to help those impacted by the LA fires was a huge success. We met up with the other AHL teams today and dropped everything off. Everything is heading to the LAFD Foundation and the LA Mission Warehouse! pic.twitter.com/FhJcFgshNX
— SJ Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) January 21, 2025
Around the League…
The Pittsburgh Penguins are at the point where things need to change.
Max Jones is back with the Boston Bruins.
Ross Colton has been given a chance on the first line in Colorado.
Bill Zito remembered late baseball broadcaster Bob Uecker.
I’m getting fined by the @nfl for what someone else said. What’s next? I get fined by them for Connor McDavid cross checking an opponent on a @nhl game! 🤦🏽♂️
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) January 22, 2025
Adam Pelech spoke with NYI Hockey Now about his game and Noah Dobson’s injury.
As the trade deadline approaches, there are some under-the-radar names to watch.
Kirill Kaprizov is nearing a return for Minnesota.
Dean Evason’s mentality inspired Blue Jackets’ surprising season.
Auston Matthews and Elvis Merzļikins both got penalties for using each other's stick 😂 pic.twitter.com/VbCeIkWwqz
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 23, 2025