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Keep or Trade Granlund? Zetterlund’s Emergence, Will Smith & More Through 11 Games

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Welcome to a new, pre-Timothy Liljegren episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!



Sheng and Keegan share their impressions of the San Jose Sharks’ first 11 games…recorded before the Liljegren trade.

But before we break down the Sharks’ 2-7-2 start?

What’s the latest on Macklin Celebrini’s injury? (3:18)

What’s Sheng hearing from scouts about the San Jose Barracuda as a playoff contender? (6:24)

Also, Sheng thanks all of you who contributed recently to his travel fund. Keep San Jose Hockey Now at San Jose Sharks‘ road games! (19:45)

What are our thoughts about these Sharks through 11 games? (24:48)

First, the forwards!

Mikael Granlund (25:30)
Tyler Toffoli
William Eklund
Fabian Zetterlund (42:39)
Danil Gushchin (48:55)
Alex Wennberg
Will Smith (1:01:31)
Ethan Cardwell (1:12:15)
Klim Kostin
Nico Sturm
Carl Grundstrom

Next, San Jose Sharks defensemen (including the just-traded Matt Benning!)

Jake Walman (1:26:16)
Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro (1:32:16)
Jan Rutta
Jack Thompson (1:35:54)
Matt Benning
Henry Thrun

Finally, the goalies! (1:43:41)

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james

We do not trade Granlund. Couture is likely not coming back; need that veteran presence, not any more prospects. It will be a step back if we trade Granlund. We’ve taken enough of those.

BryanMirkley6

Mike Grier has prioritized acquisition of prospects who are NHL ready or very close (Zetterlund, Mukh, Askarov, to name a few). If Granlund continues to have a strong season, he could net a 1st round pick or a similar quality prospect, which could be an important piece when the sharks are actually good. Additionally, celebrini is clearly a leader already, even though he’s only 18. If he’s back in the lineup, you get a top 6 center with high motor and probably the best work ethic on the team to replace what granlund is currently bringing. The alternative is probably… Read more »

james

I get where you’re coming from but Grier has also said that there needs to be a mix of vets, mid-agers and the prospects. You can’t replicate what Granlund provides; what Granlund did in the Utah OT game speaks volumes to that. By pure force of will, he tracked down the puck to set up the Sharks for the ultimate win. Whether it’s three years or five years, I think it’s a good investment. He has an edge and a determination about him that can’t be replaced with more prospects.

BurnsiesBeard

His contract is expiring. End of season he can either re sign with the sharks or go wherever he wants. Trading him for the last few months of a season that doesn’t really mean anything gets us another prospect and we’re in the same boat off season where he can re sign with the sharks if he wants to or go elsewhere. Not trading him when his value is high and letting him walk for nothing would be gross mismanagement. That’s how contracts and deadline deals in the nhl work.

Joseph

I think that might be an oversimplification. Rebuilding teams trade out their valuable pieces for futures when they’re tearing down, but once you start actually building you have to be really strategic about who you add and subtract from the room. There will always be guys you can ship out for a pick or two, but is that pick more valuable than what they bring as a player, mentor and leader? That’s hard to quantify, but it’s math a good GM has to try to do anyway.  Realistically, the most important players San Jose will get during this rebuild are… Read more »

BurnsiesBeard

I definitely agree and Granny is someone I’d love to keep around/re sign with the org. Don’t get that mistaken. My point being we don’t know what he wants anyway and if it’s to be a shark again he can get traded, chase a cup, the come back on a new deal when the season is over. Or another possible scenario is he stays for the rest of the season and decides to leave and the sharks get nothing. I personally don’t think the few months after the tdl will make much of a difference and will just open up… Read more »

Joseph

Fair enough, although I’d point out that pending UFAs moved at the deadline almost never return immediately to the team that traded them. It’s rare for a reason, it’s much easier to re-sign a guy who never hits the open market. If the Sharks want the player beyond this season, gotta go with the sure thing vs. the gamble.

Zeke

Realistically, the most important players San Jose will get during this rebuild are already on the roster.

Other than Celebrini, I sure hope that’s not the case. This roster should be a lot different in 4 years. Some of it comes from pipeline, some from elsewhere in the NHL. But the Sharks should be drafting highly for a couple more seasons.

Joseph

I should have specified I was talking about drafted players, but realistically that’s probably the case — it’s not often you get the first overall pick, and even less frequent to get it when there’s a consensus player at the top of the class like Celebrini. It’s also uncommon to get a prospect as good as Will Smith outside of the top three, because super deep classes don’t come along often either. The Sharks have had the benefit of both, in back to back years, and have exited the teardown stage. It seems more likely than not that pick quality… Read more »

SJShorky

This is more than likely the last season the sharks draft high. It’s been stated over and over Grier intends to get this thing in the playoffs sooner than later.

james

Shorky, intentions are one thing but rebuilds in the NHL can indeed be lengthy and it’s MG’s job to say that. The Sharks will still likely be in the bottom seven of teams which means a reasonably high draft pick.

SJShorky

I don’t see them finishing bottom 10 next season. Just look at the roster turnover since Grier took over. It’s amazing. Reality is that this roster is one good defensive defense man and a high end offensive defense man from being a bubble team next season assuming Smith and Celebrini progress as we hope.

SJShorky

The idea behind a mentor and veteran presence like Granny though is that he teaches it, the young players learn it, then they take over the role. Will that happen by the end of the season? Maybe? Also, Celly is the epitome of that type of effort. We’ve already seen it. He’s going to be the alpha they all follow almost immediately. Granlund example may be redundant by the end of the season.

james

Disagree. You need the vet/young guy mix. To get rid of Granlund will seemingly create a Blackhawks V2.

SJShorky

No it will not. They have Toffoli, Weinberg, Goody, then the guys like Zetts, Mario, even Eklund. It’s not the end of the world if they move Granlund. Franchise in rebuild shouldn’t be dependent on an over 30 guy.

SJShorky

So I think some nuance is missing in this debate. If Ganny intends to test the UFA market you must trade him. No ifs ands or buts. If he wants to resign prior to the TDL and the money and term work with to future finances, then by all means do it. He’s been great. I would even over pay for shorter term. 7+ for 3 years or something similar. But they can’t afford him on a 5 or 6 year deal at 6+ IMO. Another factor is Coutures health. If he recovers and gets back to a decent level,… Read more »

james

I don’t think Couture’s health should come into it. Unfortunately (and I hate saying this), it doesn’t look good for Logan. He’s basically two missed years into this injury PLUS he’s three years older than Granlund. The decision seems simple to me. To your point, on a shorter deal, they should overpay for Granlund.

SJShorky

I guess we’ll see. There’s no way they keep him past the deadline without a contract though. Bank on it.

Joseph

Just a heads up there are some weird issues with the edit or upload, lots of strange cuts and repeat soundbites!

Joseph

Fun fact about that Barracuda fourth line. Between the three of them, they went to college for a grand total of 14 years. Vincent spent four years at Holy Cross and one at Long Island U, Vanroboys spent four years at Bentley and one at UMass, and Houle did four full years at University of Maine. I know that going to college doesn’t automatically make you smart — but it sure helps. Presumably, all four of these guys finished their degrees before going pro. They’re also older as a result of the track they all took. Smarts and experience help… Read more »

SJShorky

Great insight.

Zeke

I have no idea how Keegan and Sheng somehow think Granlund might be worth as little as a 3rd rd pick. ffs, the Sharks gave up a 3rd and got back a 1st for Barclay Goodrow. The Sharks got a 3rd for Anthony Duclair. And the ‘he’s 5’10” argument” makes little sense. He plays bigger than his size, he’s plenty strong, but more than that, he’s a known quantity. It might be a trade where the Sharks get a 1st and 4th, give up a 3rd. The lone legit concern is what happened in Pittsburgh. Which is why the team… Read more »

Joseph

He struggled after the midseason trade from Minnesota to Nashville, too. And I think people might underrate how little people outside of the Sharks fandom and immediate media sphere pay attention to them. We all know exactly what Granlund is worth because we watch him every night. I guarantee you almost nobody else does, not even pro scouts are spending even a fraction of the amount of time watching him that we do. I do agree that a third sounds low, but I don’t think the Sharks are getting a first for Granlund, especially not if they trade him early… Read more »

james

“They’d also have an absolutely massive hole in their lineup for what is supposed to be a year of incremental progress.” Perfectly stated.

SJShorky

I wouldn’t move him mid season unless it brings back an NHL ready prospect. At the TDL though he has to be moved or signed. Can’t risk getting nothing.

SJShorky

If that’s true then my guess is his next contract wouldn’t be prohibitive to resigning in SJ. I’m ok with that.

Ish

Trade Grandlund? Our most consistent player. I hope not. What is the point? Not going to get a huge return.

SJShorky

If he continues like this, yes they will get a good return. Sheng and Keegan are high on their own supply if they think a nearly PPG center only nets a 3rd at the TDL.

Falco5

Sheng: Keep Smith up and maybe he can learn on the job
Also Sheng: Dont call up Cuda players, “thats the worst thing you can do to those kids”

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