San Jose Sharks
Grier, Sharks Still Looking for “Top-Nine Winger” Help
Mike Grier might not be done adding to the San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks’ line-up looked almost complete, after Grier added veterans Dmitry Orlov and Nick Leddy to the defense on Thursday, along with blueliner John Klingberg, and forwards Philipp Kurashev and Adam Gaudette on the opening day of free agency.
But Grier said on Thursday, “We could probably use a top-nine winger, if something like that comes available.”
This is in line with San Jose Hockey Now’s belief that the San Jose Sharks circled the likes of star wingers Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency.
So who’s left in free agency? There are no stars.
Jack Roslovic and Victor Olofsson make some sense.
One league source considers Roslovic the only logical UFA winger left to the Sharks, as he’s more well-rounded than the more one-dimensional Olofsson, who’s got a big shot. Roslovic can also play center and notched 22 goals last season.
SJHN has not been able to verify San Jose interest in either.
A source told SJHN that the San Jose Sharks had passed on Jeff Skinner, at least as of Wednesday.
There’s not a lot of scoring on the wing left in free agency otherwise.
The Sharks could also look to add some offense via trade.
Last summer, San Jose provided insurance for neophyte centers Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith by signing pivot Alex Wennberg. Wennberg came in especially handy after top center Mikael Granlund was traded and Smith was moved to wing last year.
This summer, the plan being to return Smith to center next year (and the possible addition of 2025 No. 2 pick and center Michael Misa), there appears to be more of a focus toward finding wingers to help San Jose’s projected top-three centers Calder finalist Celebrini, Smith, and Wennberg.
“We’ll keep our eyes open,” Grier said. “If not, we’re more than happy to let it play out and see what happens for the rest of summer, and then see where the kids are when camp starts.”
Grier is also looking for more than help on the wing, but not necessary for the San Jose Sharks.
On Tuesday, Grier stated that he’s looking for a San Jose Barracuda netminder to pair with prospect Gabriel Carriere: “We’re gonna look to probably add a little bit more of an experienced No. 3 down there.”
Hope they bring back Devin Cooley as a Cuda goalie. Local kid, solid AHL goalie, and Asky’s buddy.
The goalie they want to add is one who can be a credible option to play games in the NHL if one of Askarov/Ned gets injured.
I guess Matt Davis is gonna start in the ECHL? Seems like Carriere has a Cuda spot. Then this other 3rd goalie in the org they want.
Most likely. The ECHL is a rough place to develop but not too bad for a goalie – Aaron Dell didn’t consider himself too good for it last year. But you need a vet as the AHL backup because in an injury scenario, neither Gabe nor Davis can reasonably be asked to come up and split starts.
So let see at this point I am counting 11 D with realistic chances of making club: Letty L/R Orlov L/R??? Klingberg R Mario L Lilly R Desharnais R(waiver exempt) Muhk L/R? Thrun L Dickenson L (NHL or Knights) Cags L (Waiver Exempt) Thompson R (Unsigned- Qualified) Maybe Thrun and/or Lilly get moved? There are teams up against the cap or over the cap could probably partner with… Maybe Mario, if some team is thick on top 9 Forwards and light on defense, think he moves at TRL. But, think Lilly or Thrun is most likely…Though if concerned Thompson not… Read more »
Desharnais is 28, he’s not waivers exempt. Otherwise agreed.
Oops was back and forth on Forwards and D, flipped Ostapchuk and Desharnais… he might pass through waivers though.
Assuming Dickenson and not losing to Thompson and/or Thrun to Waiver wire will make them keep 8 D and 13 F. Forwards are much more Waiver friendly options for those in position fights. Afanasyev and Goosh are only Two probably really concerned with Waiver wire wise…Grundy and Giles probably get through waivers, but not a big loss if not.
Roslovic would be a good add. But a 28 year old who had a productive season he might be holding out for some term on his contract. Not sure how Grier would feel about that given he previously expressed some reluctance about handing out long deals at this point.
He’s a guy I could go to 3 years on and some decent money because it’s not my money. But if 3 guys out of Chernyshov, Musty, Haltunnen, Lund, Bystedt and Ostapchuk hit, then the top 9 is pretty action packed as it is. Roslovic would be a bridge guy needed for the next year and then possibly expendable.
But I doubt he’s getting 7 years from anyone. Maybe 4 but a lower AAV which I could also do because the deal is that much more movable. Maybe full NTC for one year like Orlov and after that nothing
He’s probably looking for 4 years at good money or a long term deal at lower dollars like that dude in Edmonton took.
Trent Frederics’ contract is ridiculous
Good work if you can get it.😜
I’ll do the job for half the price and twice the term
🤣
I’m all for it as long as he is willing to waive players that don’t deserve to be in the nhl. That has been an issue the last couple years.
I disagree. He’s been keeping guys up who would get claimed which would cost the team organizational depth during the season which was already thin. With a roster like they had you can’t afford to take certain risks losing guys to waivers.
Over the past few years there have been several players that Grier literally could not give away at the trade deadline. And that are no longer on the team. Guys like hoffman, lebanc, barabonov, kostin, gregor, rutta, vlasic, zadina etc.
Its ok to keep taking chances on guys, but he needs to “know when to fold em”.
look at you with the catastrophically uninformed reply. All those guys were let go when their contracts expired. Hoffman & Rutta were the price to get rid of EK65, Labanc was DWs fuck up, Barbie would have been traded but they didn’t have a retention slot (he was a decent player when not injured anyway), Kostin was a flyer on a specific type of player the team lacks and was let go… I dunno, I’m bored trying to educate you on why your comment has no intelligence or merit.
I know I’m in the minority up here, but one more season at the bottom, especially with a supposedly loaded draft upcoming, and then it’ll be time to accelerate out of the rebuild. GMMG has made the team better, but its probably a ‘last place or close to it’ roster. Which is fine with me. He really can’t upgrade it meaningfully with what’s left in free agency. I hope he isn’t trading away draft picks for an incremental improvement. He still needs to be mostly in the draft pick acquisition business. Thus far, he’s traded away a 3rd rounder and… Read more »
There are three or four stud RHD in the conversation right now to be top 10 picks – obviously we need to see how this season goes to see if it stays that way. As of now, Keaton Verhoeff would be ideal as the highest ranked – would likely go #2 if the draft was tomorrow. But the point is, odds aren’t good even if you finish last. Sharks, frankly speaking, have beaten the odds the last two years to stay #1, and then to only fall to #2. So for me, I’d like to see improvement – finishing last… Read more »
Verhoff is the player the Sharks need most of all. Completely agree on this.
Getting 1 or 2 in that draft is a massive win. Getting 3rd overall and you still can pay up and get to 2.
Honestly, if it lands on McKenna, I’d likely trade that pick. Get a really good RHD and a good bit more. The offers for ‘the next Crosby’ will get it done.
still, lot of time between now and then. At this time a year ago, James Hagens was the guy most thought would go 1st overall. He went 7th …
I honestly don’t think they could trade McKenna if they got him. You can’t trade the next Crosby. It’s also debatable whether the next draft is better than this one. Maybe at the top, I don’t know. I’ve read a bunch of opinions saying it’s not better. Pronman and Wheeler at the Athletic are definitely in that boat. Finishing 10th worst would be a major improvement and also let the team get great value at the pick with whoever inevitably falls. Like Dickinson at 11, or McQueen who I hated that he fell to the Ducks this year My goal… Read more »
Agree, you take McKenna and deal with it. Misa, Mckenna, Mack and Smith… opens up rest of your young high potential forwards as trade bait for a young top RHD, and Eklund would be top of that list (there would be no arguments anymore)
Mack/Smith
Misa/Mckenna
Yikes!!! (even with that knowledge, still not on board of another be bad on purpose season: this is a win lotto scenario, time to move forward)
But we will see, what rankings look like in a year, there are always big risers and fallers. McKenna carried his team, so would not bet against him.
In that scenario you likely trade Misa or Smith for an absolute stud #1D.
I don’t think much of the Crosby comparison that has been making the rounds. He’s only compared to Crosby in the sense that he’s considered a generational player like Crosby was, but McKenna is much more similar to Patrick Kane or Doug Gilmour. Crosby was similar build to Celebrini when he came out. McKenna is slight and skinny like Kane and fairly similar in terms of his talent and play and ability to evade checks. If you win the lottery, you pick him and only trade him for a haul that nets you high end prospects that are NHL ready… Read more »
How are Doug gilmour and Kane similar? Gilmour was more like a lesser, meaner Gretzky.
Obviously no. If Grier agreed he wouldn’t have added this many new D.
I know I have argued with you before, I am only against being bad on purpose. Having them be like 7-10th worse, and then drop to 3-5 after TDL, would probably be the best outcome. You get good progress, everyone knows they made good jump, showing they are getting ready to start challenging for playoff spot . This gives better free agency outlook, and takes Sharks off more players no trade list. At same time still end up with a solid pick, and chance to win lottery. Who knows at this point about next year, it does look like the… Read more »
GMs tank, players and coaches don’t. The GM is clearly done tanking. He’s not breaking out the fine china yet, but he’s no longer taking us out to Taco Bell for dinner.😜
I’m all for trading the oilers 1st, a 2nd and Ferraro for Byram.
I’ve seen reports the Sabres want players and not picks for him (which makes sense, given where they are at). It is hard to see a package that includes two picks and a player going into his final contract year getting it done.
Yeah, they’d get Ferraro and ammo to trade for another player. If anyone was offering what they’re looking for it would be done. He clearly doesn’t want to be there which is there bigger problem. Cats out of the bag. His value is at its highest for a trade before camp.
I was looking at his career stats and I don’t get what all the hype is about, the most impressive stat in his whole career is +11 in 82 games on the Sabres last year. Is he a defensive defenseman with a little offensive upside? I don’t watch a lot of Sabres hockey so all I can go off is stats and they are not commensurate with 8×9
He had 38 points and averaged over 22 minutes a night as a 24 year old.
Alex Tuch is a player that exemplifies size speed skill and defensive awareness. I know he’s 29 and probably would rather eat shit than come here but he is the exact type of player that we want to build around going into our first playoff series
Tuch would be a great add.
While San Jose is not a desirable destination at the moment, I think Buffalo is an even less desirable place to stay.
100% agree but unfortunately there are 30 other teams in the league.
Tuch is a Buffalo native, he was pretty happy about Vegas trading him there.
Not a huge fan specially if costly. Sharks are going to have forwards coming out their ears in the next few years. Not sure how long his contract is or why he would get traded?
He’s on his last year of an incredibly team friendly long contract so he is probably going to want to cash in. The timing is probably not right but he’s chiseled out of marble by the stanly cup playoff gods in his prime prototype playoff player. None of the prospects coming out of our ears have that combination of elite skating, elite defending, elite size. We are going to need a top 6 winger of his ilk to win the cup. If I were building a team to win the cup Tuch and Tom Wilson would be my wingers that… Read more »
yeah he’s going to want 8-9 million for 7-8 years. Looking at his stats and analytics, yeah you’re right, he would be a good addition if he were 3-4 years younger.
He’s a 2 way all situations D who’s never been given PP1 which his pedigree says he should excel at.
That package + the dollars for Byram scare me a little, given his concussion history. I think I’d rather punt the defense problem down the road another year and trade Ferraro + a second for a serviceable top six forward.
I’m all for the moonshots right now. For me, the only question is whether Byram is the one to take the moonshot on. The upside is he’s available. The downside is he hasn’t put it together in quite the way you would want to qualify as a moonshot. If Ferraro, the Edmonton 1st and Colorado 2nd could bring back a top 6 or top 4 player who would be part of a Stanley Cup winning roster, I would do that in a heartbeat. The way Grier has managed assets, that deal translates to Ferraro and Blackwood on expirings and Walman… Read more »
Defenders seem to take longer in many cases. He seems to have played 2nd fiddler his whole career. IMO if you can get him for that package, maybe you do it with an extension in place for the 7-8mill for 5-7 years. If he ends up on your 2nd pair in a few years, which seems to be his floor, that’s fine for me. With the rising cap, that number is more than reasonable. You’ve solidified your D with an all around minute muncher who can produce points when given the opportunity. Didn’t Walman put up career points last season… Read more »
I wouldn’t mind if Grier sends Ferraro, Edm 1, Avs 2 for Byram and he signs for 5/$40 or even 6/$48. 7/$63 is a lot. But maybe I can stomach that if Grier thinks it’s the right move.
IDK I I watched Mario put it on the line blocking shots like a warrior and being a consistent source of energy and Leadership through some seriously dark times. I know it’s a business but sometimes you have to send a message to the boys that we love and appreciate what he does. He’s only 26, why not give him 4×4?
Mario as a person is awesome and I would love to have him on my beer league team. But do you want the team to win a cup or be full of guys you like? He has mostly been terrible at hockey.
betting he’ll want more money than that too.
Terrible is not a fair characterization of Ferraro’s play. Granted he has not developed as we hoped he would after a promising start to his career and his game has holes, but he has been closer to mediocre, all the while being grossly miscast as a top pairing guy the last few years. Perhaps a fresh start is what he needs but I still think as part of a competent group of defensemen and slotted properly, he is a solid contributor at 5 on 5 and a valuable penalty killer. Recent Vlasic was terrible. Benning (after his injury) was terrible.… Read more »
Sounds like you’re grading on a curve or with your emotions. A good defensive defenseman is like a good offensive lineman, if they’re doing their job you don’t really notice them. Mediocre implies middle of the pack which Ferraro clearly has not been. Yes he’s been over leveraged, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t also been bad just on his own merits. If I’m building a cup contender , I’m not adding him unless he’s fully the player we saw for a few weeks prior to injury. That guy was a solid 3rd pair D. Still I don’t want to pay… Read more »
Calling a guy mediocre hardly seems emotional. Just pointing out that “terrible” seems like hyperbole on your part. Despite your curious assertion that his only good hockey ever was a brief period this past season, there was a time that contenders were allegedly offering a decent return for him. So I’d respectfully suggest that you go back and re-watch some of the hockey he was playing a few years ago that made him of value to other teams. Of note, this coaching staff and this front office didn’t pick him, yet they continue to lean on him heavily, so they… Read more »
If contenders were actually offering something good for him he’d be gone. More likely they were trying to buy low on a guy who puts forth the effort. Teams always think maybe they’re the guys who can fix a player. Mario has been historically awful and the stats, counting and advanced, prove it. we’ll see how much he leaned on with all these changes. If he were so good they would be looking to lessen his load. The reason the coaching staffs have leaned on him is due to a dearth of better options and at least with him you… Read more »
my thought as well. Grier seems to be well thought out and well researched so if they do it I’m going to assume that it won’t be awful.
Hasn’t it been a couple years since that was a problem or did he have another occurrence recently? Now that they’ve added all the available LDs I’m fine with kicking it down the road a little. Someone may become available during the season too, you never know. The guy in Calgary on an expiring deal is interesting too. Who knows, maybe the Sharks get EK65 back next season.🤣
Serious question… If they trade back for EK65, do they get the retention slot back?
No clue how that works. Seems like they should?
I’m almost positive I read somewhere that they do not get that retention slot back, but can’t remember where I read that.
It’s been a while, but three before the age of 24 is definitely not great.
That’s not that bad. I know people who had more in high school. The key is if he’s now avoided it for a few years. Luckily he’s playing in the most safe era of NHL hockey for head shots.
Couldn’t agree more.
The Sharks would have probably been 5-10 wins better last season had they kept Mackenzie Blackwood, but that would also have meant dropping down into the mushy area of the first round of the draft. The 2026 draft is supposed to be deeper in talent, so a 15 point or so improvement in the standings should still get a shot at a strong prospect. GMMG needs the younger players to get NHL time to sort out who stays. So there shouldn’t be any rush to add a veteran forward unless someone becomes available on waivers or a cheap trade. We… Read more »
You would think 10 wins would put them in the mushy area, but then you would realize that would have still been the 4th worst team. With NYI and Utah moving up, it would have meant the 6th pick. That was Martone this year, and I think all of us would be perfectly fine getting next year’s Martone. Or maybe the RHD version of Martone. 15 more wins gets us to 10th worst. 22 more wins gets us to the 8th slot in the Western Conference. Sometimes we forget how awful this team really is because if we squint hard… Read more »
tale as old as time. If the young guy can’t beat out some bottom 6er playing over his head, they shouldn’t be in the show.
Haven’t quite thought this thru, but I sense there’s sort of a quota for teams and under 6′ players. On defense, I think that quota is probably 1. For forwards, 2-3. 4 is pushing it. Also wondering about guys 6′ even and 6’1. Maybe a quota on those as well. I say this as the Sharks longer term roster starts to take shape. Blue line of Thompson, Pohlkmap, Mukh, Dickinson and hopefully at some point, Wong. The 3 left shots are all 6’3″ and up. Thompson is 6’1 and Pohlkamp 5’11” (iirc). If the 6 and 7 d-men are 6’2″… Read more »
I don’t know that Thompson is a long term solution. Hopefully but I think he’s more like right handed Thrun.
I probably sound like a broken record here, but maybe we should offload a D-man to the Blackhawks for Tyler Bertuzzi. He’s a good physical winger with a strong net front presence. Would fill a few needs and not really cost us considering we are overstocked with defense.
good idea to add a big physical forward but your idea is not well thought out. The Blackhawks are about to have one of the best defenses in the league in the next few years. They’re not taking any defense castoffs from the sharks.
I agree but a stop gap defenseman might be appealing and a pick outside the first round and even second. We are talking about mortgaging a present forward for present defenseman. Not future. So Timmy or Henry would suffice.
He’s trash though.
Trash 🤣🤣 so Adam Gaudette, Kurashev, Goodrow, Giles, and Dellandrea are better? Wake up, buddy. We are soft. That needs to change. Also, im just using him as an example. Not too old and improves the squad. Plus not too difficult to acquire. Doesn’t have to be him. But if you think he’s ass compared to the back-end our roster, idk what you’re talking about.
No, you obviously don’t.
Clearly you can’t read. But okay, guy.
Lol, sorry for the same comment a thousand times. My internet is beyond garbage. Also I like Bowen Byram over any Left shot defenseman we currently have. Solid skater and would be a huge upgrade over anyone on our PP1. I just don’t know what the trade package would look like to entice Buffalo more than others.
This is a moot point at this stage. Especially now that Grier has signed/claimed Klinberg, Orlov and Leddy.
Klingberg is older and has an injury history. Additionally he doesn’t fit the “future timeline” he could be a solid addition but he’s on a 1 year deal and hasn’t been the best version of himself for years.
If Klingberg is healthy again he’s a light years better PP QB.
Dudes 24. And had multiple concussions. He’s had a quarter of the chances Klingberg has.
You’re preaching to the Choir but if Healthy, Kilngberg is one of the best QBs in hockey.
I’m excited to see what version of Klingberg we get. You are definitely right if he remains healthy in the lineup. Also be interesting to see Byram get a true shot somewhere to get a better sense of how he could contribute being the main facilitator on the pp.
Only questions I have begin with why has he not been moved already? Considering some of the others moved…wondering if it is asking price from both Byram and Sabers??? consider: last year was first season he has played 82 games, he has not had concussion since 2021-2022 season (it was 38ish games), he also missed lots of time for lower body injury 22-23. He did play 73games 23-24. So injury wise he is trending in right direction. he is way down on the LD depth chart on Sabers, so he is not getting opportunities to shine, but his stats are… Read more »
That left side has the potential to be playoff caliber. Maybe Byram is first pair the next couple years then one of the other guys over takes him. Just need to solve the right side long term.
Yeah I think can find good RHD that are D centric, to support Dickenson, cags and hypothetically Byram; rather than high caliber offensive RHD. Might even be a place to take advantage of the market. But yeah, that has to be a focus going forward…
For me, the only relevant question is whether or not he can be seen as the number #1 D on a Stanley Cup winning team. For me, I just can’t see it based on the data. I agree with your points above, and that is why I think the cost (what you’d have to give up plus what you’d have to pay him) is too high. But I am no expert and haven’t seen him play too much – if GMMG feels otherwise then so be it. If Grier does what is needed to get him though, he had better… Read more »
If he could be had for around what an offer sheet would be, probably what 7? I am good! Even if little expensive on trade value… like comparing Dobson to Byram, Dobsond has Handedness, better stats and durability, similar ages, Dobson has him by 3”… I think 8×9.5mil was Dobson contract. i just do not Know if Byram has that 8×9 mil track record, compared with Dobson. Too many unknowns… I agree with you that if GMMG pays the prices cannot miss! So I am on the kick can down road… Though before the price tag came out, was onboard,… Read more »
Do we think the price is less based on stats and proven worth and more so the cap jump that has occurred and continues to project on an upward trend? Just curious what your take is. Obviously it’s a culmination of betting on potential and this. But which do you think has a more profound impact on his asking price?
Combination of those things. The cap jump will make some salaries seem huge when they’re in line with previous years as far as cap percentage.
Doubt it’ll be 7 for an all situations D who scored almost 40 points and played around 22min a night. My bet is closer to $8mil.
Depends on what his salary actually is.
Well said. Thanks for actually replying with facts and not being an asshole. I appreciate and agree with your take.