Sheng Peng
The San Jose Sharks weren’t done picking up prospects after the Timo Meier trade last Sunday.
On Tuesday, they sent a 2024 third-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for unsigned NCAA prospect Henry Thrun.
And during Friday’s Trade Deadline, they added Jacob Peterson from the Dallas Stars and Arvid Henrikson from the Montreal Canadiens.
How might Thrun, Peterson, and Henrikson help the San Jose Sharks?
I spoke with multiple sources from outside the Sharks organization to get an objective perspective.
Here’s a hint: They love the Thrun acquisition.
Henry Thrun
Thrun is a 6-foot-2 defenseman, the senior captain of a tournament-bound Harvard squad.
A Ducks’ 2019 fourth-round pick, Thrun has raised his stock significantly over the years. But he wasn’t signing with Anaheim, so the Ducks risked losing him for nothing on Aug. 15.
It doesn’t seem like the Sharks are worried about inking Thrun.
“We feel pretty good about it,” GM Mike Grier said, smiling, after the Trade Deadline. “Hopefully, some of the Boston ties can help us out in that regard.”
Boston-adjacent Grier, head coach David Quinn, and director of player personnel Scott Fitzgerald all know Thrun well, as does director of player development Todd Marchant, who was with Anaheim on the player development side from 2011 to last season.
My understanding too is that Thrun is excited about the opportunity that the Sharks offer:
So the interest between Thrun and San Jose seems mutual.
Also excited about Thrun?
“We were interested in him,” Scout #1 shared. “Watched a bunch this year of him.”
“Really good trade for San Jose,” Scout #2 remarked.
“I like the deal if they have an agreement to sign him,” Scout #3 concurred. “Good player.”
“He’s a very solid all-around defenseman,” Scout #1 elaborated. “Physical, harder. Plays well on both sides of the puck. Think the defensive game comes more natural to him. Offensive, he’s simple but efficient and effective.”
“Really smart, good with the puck and high character,” Scout #2 said. “Good stick.”
Thrun has a noteworthy flaw though.
“Bad feet,” Scout #2 acknowledged.
“Small hitch in skating,” Scout #1 said, explaining, “Just kind of upright. Small, short strides can look choppy a little.”
Neither scout, however, thinks Thurn’s skating will be a fatal flaw.
“I think he will overcome it,” Scout #2 said. “Exceptional smarts.”
“It’s nothing major,” Scout #1 agreed.
“He’s got solid, solid second-pairing potential,” Scout #1 raved. “Second pair, third if he flattens a little. I’d call him a Grade-B prospect.”
Jacob Peterson
Jacob Peterson is a 6-foot-1 center-winger, a Stars’ 2017 fifth-round pick, who registered a solid 12 goals in 65 games in his NHL rookie campaign last year.
However, he was surpassed on the Dallas depth chart this fall and has only appeared in one NHL contest this season.
Scout #3 isn’t too impressed by his NHL ceiling: “He’s another third or fourth-line replacement player.”
Head coach John McCarthy does think that the 23-year-old can be a key contributor for the San Jose Barracuda. That’s where Peterson will report at first.
“Kind of a little bit of a Swiss army knife,” McCarthy offered. “Plays a responsible game, he can add some scoring, use him on the penalty kill, on the powerplay, he’s versatile that way.”
Peterson is a pending RFA, we’ll see if he ever plays for the San Jose Sharks.
Arvid Henrikson
Arvid Henrikson is a 6-foot-5 defenseman, a 2016 Canadiens’ seventh-round pick who has just completed his senior season at Lake Superior State University.
However, the 25-year-old doesn’t appear to have an NHL future.
“Throw-in,” Scout #1 said.
Scout #3 agreed, explaining, “Non-signed player easier to deal than future considerations. Montreal might like [Tony] Sund or just the ability to hold his rights. Those two guys are just to get the deal done, I’d imagine.”
“Swedish D playing as a third-pairing guy his whole college career in a lower-end NCAA program,” Scout #1 said, closing the book on Henrikson. “If I had to guess, he’s an Allsvenskan career kind of guy.”