It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the month of June and that’s when the rumour mill really gets going. General managers are going to have to figure things out soon. The 2024 NHL Entry Draft and free agency will begin soon, but the evaluation process has already started. Teams are going to have to hit the ground running once the Stanley Cup is awarded. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the San Jose Sharks and their impending roster decisions.
All NHL Rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
San Jose Sharks Roster Decisions Looming
Rumour: The Athletic’s Eric Stephens broke down the Sharks’ roster and who stays and who goes. A number of players are in the grey area and we take a look at that.
It is a certainty that the #SJSharks will look different in 2024-25. They must. Who on the roster could be staying and who might (or will) be on the move?https://t.co/spVLcsYtkb
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) May 24, 2024
Analysis: San Jose endured a season to forget, but it did get a reward. The Sharks will get to pick first in the 2024 draft and likely take Macklin Celebrini with that choice. However, there’s likely to be some more pain for the Sharks in the next few seasons. Celebrini is a good start, but more quality players are needed to make this team return to the post-season sometime soon.
General Manager Mike Grier still has to select a head coach and that’s likely his top priority. However, figuring out the roster is going to high on the agenda for the Sharks GM.
Four are the Focus
Stephens mentions Luke Kunin, Filip Zadina, Justin Bailey, and Jacob MacDonald are the toughest decisions for Grier. Kunin is a restricted free agent that made $3 million last season. He may not get a lot of points, but Grier likes a player like Kunin. The 26-year-old forward does the little things and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Qualifying a player that doesn’t score a lot might be a risk. Despite this, Kunin could make a return next season.
Zadina came over from the Detroit Red Wings and hasn’t lived up to the hype. He did come cheap at a $1.1 million price tag, but he adapted to his role down the lineup. Zadina is also an RFA and the 24-year-old could be had for cheap.
Bailey was the Sharks nominee for the Masterton Trophy and has grinded hard to make the league. He has bounced between the NHL and the AHL for eight seasons, but finally stuck. The Buffalo native played 59 games and has a big frame. He made $775,000 last season and could also be a value signing. We’ll see if Grier wants to keep Bailey.
The last person Stephens mentions is MacDonald, who played both defence and at forward. The 31-year-old did whatever he asked and scored a career-high seven goals. However, he could also move on and allow some of the younger players in the system a chance to shine.
What it Means
San Jose is a few seasons away from being a post-season contender. Gone are the days being a contender in Western Conference. This roster needs to be remade from the ground up and Grier knows that.
Some players know that they’ll be moving on in the coming offseason. However, there are a number of players that are going to be needed to make this team move forward.
There are some good players like William Eklund, Fabian Zetterlund, and Henry Thrun. However, there are some tough choices awaiting Grier in the offseason. All four of the mentioned players could stay or all four could be gone. It’ll be a season of change in the Bay Area for the Sharks.
Main photo by: Bob Frid- USA Today Sports
