The San Jose Sharks didn’t fairly get the result they had been searching for throughout Monday’s NHL Draft Lottery. However it wasn’t the worst outcome, both.
The Sharks didn't wind up with the Nos. 1 or 2 total choices, however as an alternative stayed put and can have the No. 4 total choose in subsequent month’s NHL Draft in Nashville, Tenn.
The Chicago Blackhawks, who completed with the third-worst file within the NHL, moved up two spots and received the draft lottery, and can have the best to pick ahead Connor Bedard, a superstar-in-waiting.
The Anaheim Geese, who completed final within the NHL, fell to No. 2 and the Columbus Blue Jackets fell one spot to No. 3.
The Sharks completed with the NHL’s fourth-worst file at 22-44-16 however there was additionally the potential of them falling again to fifth or sixth total.
“We’re excited that we’re going to get a superb participant right here at 4,” Sharks normal supervisor Mike Grier stated. “Clearly you type of hope that you simply perhaps get some luck and issues go your manner. However we didn’t drop, which I believe we’re all actually glad about, and the chance to draft a extremely good participant at 4.”
It was a small break for the Sharks that Bedard, nonetheless simply 17 years previous, went to Chicago as an alternative of a Pacific Division rival just like the Geese.
Bedard, a shifty skater and playmaker with a devastating shot, had 143 factors in 71 common season video games for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League this previous season, and will definitely present the rebuilding Blackhawks with a wanted offensive jolt.
Likelihood is the Geese will draft Michigan heart Adam Fantilli, regarded as the second-best participant accessible, and one other ahead beside Bedard who might step into the NHL subsequent season.
Nonetheless, Bedard is the perfect participant accessible on this 12 months’s draft.
“You may’t actually management any of that stuff. However in case you have a look at it, you didn’t wish to see (Bedard) in Anaheim with the younger expertise they've being proper down the road and need to face them on a regular basis,” Grier stated. “However anyplace within the first 5, six, seven picks, there are many good gamers.
“Despite the fact that (Bedard’s) type of on the particular finish, it’s not one thing I wish to get into an excessive amount of about choosing and selecting who we’re going to be enjoying in opposition to.”
The Sharks now flip their consideration to who might be accessible after Bedard and Fantilli are chosen.
Swedish ahead Leo Carlsson, listed by NHL Central Scouting at 6-foot-3 and 198 kilos, may be the third-best participant on the board after he had 25 factors in 44 common season video games for Örebro HK of the top-level Swedish Hockey League.
Carlsson has the scale, however will in all probability be finest served in the long term by remaining in Sweden for an additional season earlier than he involves North America full-time, which would appear to suit into Columbus’ rebuilding plans.
Russian winger Matvei Michkov, at 5-10 and 172 kilos, is rated fourth by NHL Central Scouting, as he recorded 20 factors in 27 video games for Sochi HC and may be near Bedard’s equal by way of sheer expertise. The issue is he stays beneath a KHL contract for 3 extra seasons.
Issues can change, however that’s a very long time for the Sharks to attend for assist. Nonetheless, Grier gave the impression to be open to the potential of taking Michkov.
“We’ll soak up the entire info and think about all of the choices, the great and the unhealthy, the pluses and minuses of all of the gamers that might be choices for us,” Grier stated when requested about Michkov’s standing.
“I believe it’s one thing we’ll positively talk about, but it surely’s not something that’s going to take anybody off the desk.”
If the Sharks go in a unique route than Michkov, winger Zach Benson of the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice or heart Will Smith, a Boston School commit, may very well be the next-best choices.
The NHL held two lotteries to find out the primary and second total choices, and the Sharks had a 9.5 % probability of successful one or the opposite. Additionally they had a 0.3 % probability of touchdown at No. 3 and a 15.4 % probability of staying at No. 4.
The Sharks have recognized for the reason that finish of the common season final month that that they had a 9.5 % probability of successful the draft lottery, behind the Geese (25.5 %), Blue Jackets (13.5 %), and Blackhawks (11.5).
San Jose was thirty second and final within the NHL standings on March 27, as they went 0-6-3 from March 7-25. However that was instantly adopted by a three-game successful streak, and by the point the Sharks misplaced in additional time to the Colorado Avalanche on April 4, they had been in twenty ninth place total, forward of Anaheim, Columbus, and Chicago.
The Sharks went 0-5-1 to complete the season however remained in twenty ninth place total.
“The blokes go on the market and play exhausting,” Grier stated. “It was a tough season for them. So it was good for them to get rewarded, enjoying some good groups. They performed exhausting and received some outcomes, so I used to be glad for the group.
“You play as exhausting as you'll be able to and see how issues shake out on the finish of the day, issues which might be type of out of your management.”