It was 4 years in the past this week that the San Jose Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche in Recreation 7 of their second-round playoff collection, main them to what was then their fourth Western Convention Last in 10 seasons.
After a ugly head damage two weeks earlier, Joe Pavelski made a dramatic return to SAP Heart, amassing a purpose and an help to present what could be that period of Sharks groups, that particular and distinctive group of gamers, one last unforgettable second.
The Sharks then would lose to the St. Louis Blues within the subsequent spherical, Pavelski could be allowed to stroll as a free agent, and nothing’s been the identical since.
Sharks basic supervisor Mike Grier is aware of it gained’t be simple for his crew to get again to the place it was a couple of years in the past, competing in playoff video games in entrance of delirious, sold-out crowds. The easiest way to do it, a minimum of from his vantage level, is to construct from the bottom up.
Honestly, which may imply being one of many NHL’s worst groups once more subsequent season and amassing one other top-five decide in 2024. In spite of everything, if you end fourth-to-last within the NHL standings, there aren't any simple fixes.
That’s why Grier’s long-term plan remained intact Tuesday morning after he and the remainder of the Sharks’ entrance workplace realized that they’ll have the fourth general choice on the NHL Draft subsequent month in Nashville, Tenn. They didn’t land the correct to pick out Connor Bedard, however they’ll draft a participant, doubtless a ahead, who will immediately grow to be the crew’s prime prospect.
That in and of itself provides the Sharks some newfound hope for the longer term.
However for Grier’s plan to work, there must be persistence — and plenty of it.
Whoever the Sharks’ choose at No. 4 – whether or not it’s Swedish middle Leo Carlsson, Russian winger Matvei Michkov, American ahead William Smith, or another person solely – doubtless gained’t be part of the massive membership’s 23-man roster a minimum of for an additional yr or two, or possibly three.
Michkov’s contract with SKA St. Petersburg runs by means of the 2025-26 season, which means he gained’t be coming to North America anytime quickly. Carlsson in all probability wants one other yr within the Swedish League, like William Eklund did after the Sharks took him seventh general in 2021, earlier than he involves North America full-time. Smith will simply be beginning his freshman season at Boston Faculty within the fall and won't be prepared to show professional for a pair extra years.
All of that might be high-quality with Grier if the Sharks find yourself taking one of many three, which appears the more than likely consequence of all of this.
“It’s a person’s league,” Grier mentioned Monday evening. “It’s troublesome. It’s troublesome to count on an 18-year-old to come back in and have success and do the issues they’ve executed their entire life.”
What are the important thing elements of Grier’s plan, you ask?
A part of it's already underway.
The Sharks wished their protection corps to get greater and extra cellular and purchased Shakir Mukhamadullin and Nikita Okhotiuk from New Jersey within the Timo Meier commerce. Mukhamadullin could possibly be a top-four defenseman if all goes effectively, and Okhotiuk performs a easy, no-nonsense type that coaches can respect.
In addition they acquired Henry Thrun, who didn’t look misplaced when he performed the ultimate eight video games of the season within the NHL. Finnish defenseman Valtteri Pulli was additionally signed to a two-year deal, though his capability to play within the NHL stays a little bit of a query mark. Mattias Hävelid is also within the combine in one other yr or two.
“You see within the playoffs, I imagine you want size on the again finish,” Grier mentioned. “You want guys who could make it troublesome for the opponent to attain objectives. So I feel we’ve gotten higher on the defensive facet of the prospect pool.”
The goalie scenario stays in flux. Magnus Chrona? Eetu Makiniemi? Georgi Romanov? Is there an NHL-caliber goalie there? Time will inform. However they’re getting a shot.
Up entrance, Eklund, assuming his restoration from surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum in his left shoulder goes effectively, figures to be a full-time NHL participant subsequent season. Grier mentioned Cam Lund and (Filip) Bystedt “each had actually good years post-draft.” Thomas Bordeleau and Ozzy Wiesblatt simply completed their first full seasons as professionals in a crucial growth yr.
When will all of it repay when it comes to extra Sharks wins? Nobody is aware of for positive. That’s the hardest a part of this entire deal. However a minimum of there’s a plan.
“I feel we’re pleased with the route and the progress we’ve made in form of build up the prospect pool,” Grier mentioned, “and what’s to come back right here over the subsequent couple of months after we add a couple of extra gamers to it.”
If the Sharks ever wish to be thought of one of many NHL’s greatest groups once more, Grier’s plan is the one option to go. Each Stanley Cup contender has elite gamers, and the Sharks want a couple of extra to construct round.
And that requires persistence.
“We’re going to get participant who's going to be, hopefully, a constructing block right here for this franchise for a very long time and a core piece of the crew for a very long time,” Grier mentioned. “So we’re fairly pleased with the place we're (at No. 4).”