Considering where the Sharks are in their rebuild, it might not make sense on the surface for them to be buyers this summer. However, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now suggests in a piece for NBC Sports Bay Area that it would be advisable for San Jose to be buyers in certain circumstances, such as adding insurance down the middle with some uncertainty surrounding Logan Couture which could also take a bit of pressure off expected top pick Macklin Celebrini.
Additionally, there’s a case to be made that the Sharks should add multiple defenders to a group that struggled considerably this season. That would allow someone like Mario Ferraro to play in a more optimal spot on the depth chart which could help from a possible future trade standpoint while ideally creating a more competitive environment. With more than $38MM in cap room this summer per CapFriendly, GM Mike Grier can look to be active in free agency, take on some unwanted contracts while adding more future pieces or, more likely, a combination of both options will be utilized in the coming weeks.
More from the Western Conference:
- Scott Powers of The Athletic suggests (subscription link) that the Blackhawks may opt to move on from goalie Jaxson Stauber this fall. The 25-year-old held his own in six NHL appearances in 2022-23 but spent all of this year with AHL Rockford, posting a 2.85 GAA with a .902 SV% in 31 games. A pending restricted free agent, it’s possible that Chicago would look to bring in more of an experienced netminder to work alongside Drew Commesso while also giving them some insurance if Arvid Soderblom struggles again next season.
- The decision on Roope Hintz’s availability for tonight’s second game against Edmonton will come down to the wire. Stars head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters including Lia Assimakopoulos of the Dallas Morning News that the center is listed as a game-time decision. The 27-year-old has been out since suffering an upper-body injury in the fourth game last round. He took part in the morning skate today but was also skating with the projected scratches so it appears he’ll be a true game-time call.
Is celebrini expected to play in the nhl full time next season?
Why not ? Bedard did
Sjs should be calling about Jones, Seguin, Bobrovsky etc. Eat those nasty contracts to get some 1st rounders. Ideally in this year’s draft so they can age up with Celebrini.
Or do what TOR did with Marleau, get a 1st to buy someone out… so many options. My gut says Grier does nothing.
Stauber wouldn’t be a big loss. I’ve been saying all along the Hawks need another veteran goalie until Commesso, Gajan and or Basse if they sign him before his options run out. Commesso going back to Rockford, Gajan going to college and Basse might stay in college. Or is he done, I’m not sure. I’ll have to look that up. Soderblom is sub par but the G pickings are extremely thin this year. Some kind of trade might be in order. It’s a situation that needs attention IMO. Mrazek has been pretty brittle when he has a contract in his hands.
I guess Basse has one more year of College eligibility probably due to Covid. He’s going to play for St. Lawrence this year but he’ll be 24 when he’s done so he should be pretty well developed by then. Not sure what the Hawks think but they should be interested.