{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Now in his second year as the San Jose Sharks General Manager, Mike Grier has started to implement his identity to the team." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Grier has often spoken of competitiveness and work ethic throughout the organization. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "\"We want to be fast-paced and be competitive, and in your face and a hard to play against hockey team,\" Grier said on July 1. \"I think we've started to lay the foundation for that. So obviously, more work to come. I think we've kind of, over the last couple of years, added some guys that fit the mold and what we want to be.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This came after day one of NHL free agency, where the Sharks added five players, four via signing and one via trade. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Training camp will start in September and likely be without Erik Karlsson. The San Jose Sharks roster is mostly set in terms of additions other than the return for EK65. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It is also not totally out of the question that the three-time Norris Trophy winner starts the season with San Jose." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "*Updated with Zadina signed*" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Here are some projected lines if EK65 is still in the fold:" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Eklund-Hertl-Zadina
Barabanov-Couture-Duclair
Zetterlund-Sturm-Kunin
Peterson-Bordeleau-Smith

Vlasic-Karlsson
Ferraro-Benning
Thrun-Burroughs

Blackwood- 1A
Kahkonen- 1B" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Jacob Peterson and Tomas Hertl showed strong chemistry at the end of the season, but with Filip Zadina in the fold, Hertl once again has a goal scorer with him. Logan Couture can drive play through the middle, while Alexander can facilitate the puck to newly acquired Anthony Duclair." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With the trade of Steven Lorentz, Thomas Bordeleau should have an opportunity to play in the middle. He will also have Peterson with him to help provide more offense support on the line." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Kevin Labanc and Oskar Lindblom are the true question marks of the forwards. Where do they fit in? What sort of opportunity do they get?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "As for the defense, the obvious focus is whether EK65 will be around. The other question on the blue line is the third pair. I think Henry Thrun has an edge over Nikolai Knyzhov and Radim Simek right now." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Kyle Burroughs was brought in and should be allowed to show he is a regular NHL player. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Here are some lines without EK65: (NOTE: Without knowing the return, I will use what the Sharks have in-house)" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " Eklund-Hertl-Zadina
Barabanov-Couture-Duclair
Zetterlund-Sturm-Kunin
Peterson-Bordeleau-Smith

Vlasic-Gawanke
Ferraro-Benning
Simek-Burroughs

Blackwood- 1A
Kahkonen- 1B" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "I don't think we see much change in the forward lines, but the defense will be set up differently as they won't have a 101-point defenseman anymore. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Leon Gawanke is an offensive defenseman, so if he cracks the NHL roster, I don't see Thrun in the lineup simultaneously. It is possible for that to happen, but the Sharks have many options on defense. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Vlasic seems to be the guy who gets paired with the most offensive D-man. Radim Simek enters the lineup with Burroughs to make the defense harder to play against. He showed flashes of his old self early in the season last year but dwindled due to injury and opportunity." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " Knyzhov is the wildcard in both of these line combos. Coming off two major surgeries, it was great to see him back on the ice, but now the time comes to see if he can perform at the same level. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nick Cicek is also in the mix for a regular spot on the blue line, but I think his leadership and familiarity with the AHL will prevent him from making the NHL. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Jacob MacDonald is the forgotten member of the defense core, and although he is a strong skater, the San Jose Sharks will need to use other pieces before him." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "At the end of the day, the Sharks' lines can't be set by anyone until after the EK65 trade is complete. Head coach David Quinn will be able to play around with a lot of his lineup as his options are growing." } } ] }

Sharks' Blackwood and Kahkonen Hoping to Return to Form

Way too Early Line Projections for the 23-24 Sharks