The San Jose Sharks have strengthened their roster by acquiring winger Ryan Reaves from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. This trade, announced on Thursday, marks a significant move as the team prepares for the upcoming NHL season. Additionally, Sharks General Manager Mike Grier hinted at the possibility of further additions before training camp kicks off in mid-September.
Grier commented during the team’s development camp last week that he remains open to acquiring another forward, expressing, “Just keep our eyes open. We could probably use a top-nine winger, if something like that comes available.” With over $23 million in salary cap space, the Sharks have the flexibility to make strategic moves, although much of the groundwork appears to be laid with the recent addition of three defensemen, two forwards, and a goalie since July 1.
As the Sharks look ahead to the regular season, which begins in October, they are evaluating their 23-man roster. The current projections indicate a promising blend of established players and potential newcomers.
Forward Projections
Among the forwards, the following players are considered “locks” for the roster: Macklin Celebrini, Ty Dellandrea, William Eklund, Adam Gaudette, Barclay Goodrow, Carl Grundstrom, Philipp Kurashev, Ryan Reaves, Will Smith, Tyler Toffoli, and Alexander Wennberg.
In the hopeful category, Egor Afanasyev, Shane Bowers, Filip Bystedt, Ethan Cardwell, Patrick Giles, Collin Graf, Danil Gushchin, Cameron Lund, Michael Misa, Zack Ostapchuk, Pavol Regenda, and Colin White are competing for roster spots. Longshots include Igor Chernyshov, Kasper Halttunen, Quentin Musty, Jimmy Huntington, and Samuel Laberge.
The Sharks are optimistic that recent additions like Gaudette and Kurashev, combined with the internal growth of Celebrini, Smith, and Eklund, will enhance their offensive capabilities. Notably, Celebrini, Toffoli, Smith, Wennberg, and Eklund are expected to fill key roles in the top six. The final forward spots could go to players such as Kurashev or Gaudette, depending on their performance during training camp.
Defensive Line-Up
On the defensive side, the locks include Vincent Desharnais, Mario Ferraro, John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, Timothy Liljegren, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Dmitry Orlov. Hopefuls in this category are Luca Cagnoni, Lucas Carlsson, Sam Dickinson, and Jack Thompson. Longshots include Noah Beck, Cole Clayton, Jake Furlong, Artem Guryev, Mattias Havelid, Gannon Laroque, and Leo Sahlin Wallenius.
The trade of Thrun has alleviated a backlog in the defensive lineup, allowing for a clearer path for players like Cagnoni, Dickinson, and Thompson to potentially secure a spot on the roster. The Sharks’ management has indicated a willingness to make room for players who demonstrate their readiness during practices and preseason games.
For younger players like Dickinson, who recently turned 19, the stakes are high. If he does not make the Sharks’ roster, he will have to return to the OHL, as players must be at least 20 years old by December 31 to play in the AHL.
Goaltending Situation
In goal, the Sharks are expected to start the season with Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic. Askarov is anticipated to get the opening night start, with plans for him to play frequently in the initial months of the season. The Sharks are fostering competition between him and Nedeljkovic, who has seen considerable time in the net over the past two seasons.
Hopeful goaltenders include Gabriel Carriere and Jakub Skarek. Carriere is likely to start the season as the Barracuda’s No. 1 goalie, while Skarek, recently signed to a one-year contract, will provide veteran support.
Overall, the Sharks’ management is focused on assembling a competitive roster that combines experienced players with promising prospects. As training camp approaches, the team’s decisions will shape their strategy for the upcoming season and potentially set the stage for a successful campaign in the NHL.
