Which Sharks Forwards Are Most Likely To Help Replace Meier?

The San Jose Sharks might lose their best defenseman in Erik Karlsson soon. They already lost their top forward in Timo Meier this season.

So how do the Sharks’ forward corps move on without Meier next season? Let’s talk about some of the forwards who ended the season in San Jose. All SPORTLOGiQ stats are five-on-five.

First, there are the usual suspects to make up for Meier, the two established top-six forwards left in the San Jose Sharks’ lineup.

Tomas Hertl

From 2018 to 2022, Hertl scored at a 32-goals-a-year pace. This season, he managed only 22 goals. So he is tops on any list to make up for Meier’s lost production.

There is one area where he will need some help. Meier was the Sharks’ top forward in terms of Offensive Zone Possession Time Per 20 at five-on-five. Hertl was second. Alexander Barabanov was next.

Barabanov is underrated, but he’s not the presence down low that Meier and Hertl are.

Logan Couture

Couture enjoyed his most productive season since 2018-19, putting up 67 points. The San Jose Sharks will need more of the same from the 33-year-old center next season.

The underrated playmaker led San Jose forwards in Slot Pass Completions. Anyway, Couture and Hertl are the obvious choices to take up Meier’s slack. Here are some of the less obvious names.

Read the Full Article at NBC Sports Bay Area