Debating Sharks’ Next Step With JD Young

The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!

Keegan, Sheng, and JD Young team up to form a three-headed GM monster! (28:01)

We discuss the next step of the San Jose Sharks’ rebuild with the Locked On Sharks host.

But before we get to JD, we talk about the San Jose Barracuda’s playoff run and preview their series against the Colorado Eagles. Patrick Williams of the AHL and FloHockey shares insight on Barracuda-Eagles. (16:55)

And now, JD Young! (28:01)

What’s the strategy if the San Jose Sharks get the No. 1 pick?

Who would we pick at No. 2 or 3, if the Sharks lose the Draft Lottery? (44:45)

Should the Sharks chase big UFA fish Mitch Marner? We each have a different opinion. (58:30)

How should the San Jose Sharks improve the defense? JD has a smart under-the-radar suggestion. (1:17:12)

What about in goal? Who should San Jose pair with Yaroslav Askarov? Sheng offers a fun (but wildly improbable) scenario. (1:31:40)

Are there any sneaky trades that this three-headed monster would pursue?

30 comments

  1. I don’t understand how JD is open to giving 9 or 9.5 long term to Boeser, but is hesitant with Marner.

    Boeser has 50 points this year. Do we want that or do we want 100 point potential? Marner may not want to come to San Jose but still just saying

  3. All I want to know is if Grier and team are finally willing to retain defensive and goaltending talent next season instead of fire selling everything off yet again and forcing the fans to endure through yet another horrendous losing record. I am getting so tired of seeing this team lose so often every season.

  4. I've been on my Dupont soap box for a couple days now, but I'll do it again and say we should tank that year to try and get him. JD is right in saying you aren't always able to get a #1 dman so you have to try and succeed without one, but one of the best prospects of that type, since ever, will be available in 2 years. Macklin isn't going to walk with Dupont, Tavares had waited several seasons before leaving, it's not the same. But I agree on the vibes notion, as long as Macklin and Will are scoring and developing – definitely find a 1B goalie for Askarov and turn the tide on all those OTL/1-goal losses and the vibes are saved. I don't care about McKenna, despite how good he is. Shortly stated, I don't want to be the Leafs/Oilers in the future. I'm thinking more someone like Keaton Verhoeff for '26. Then eat shit in '27 and go for Dupont.

  6. I’d use the Tavares example as a reason to not rush things. And make sure you have enough talent as a whole. You force yourself to win trades, overspend in free agency, and get draft steals, if you don’t have enough. Right now is the time to take the advantages of being bad.

    Our main core is 20 and younger with 2 22 year olds. This is the time to take advantage of good draft position while expectations are low. Stock up, even over stock a little. With the extras you pinpoint need later.

    Kinda like NJ now. Able to trade for Meier. Could trade Nemec if they wanted for something else big of need. Or keep. This draft and next likely in the bottom 10. Imo would be best for long term success.

    For the Core, we’re on paper looking for a 2nd line center insurance. If we get Schaffer, then just 2 top four RHD for a on paper solid future base core.

    With seemingly how many holes Greirs filled so quickly. I think 2 drafts and absolutely everyone can agree with time to move up and not look back. Even me who pushes thorough rebuilding through the draft.

  7. I was listening to another YouTube channel saying if sharks were #2 in the draft, maybe trade with Philly back to 4 for Bonk, and another pick.

    Agree with JD, that stuff just doesn't happen, but interesting none the less.

  8. Let’s say we get #1 pick, if LA Kings decide to 💣 🧨 id be ok with us trading #1 to LA for Brandt Clarke++ why? I watched Sam Dickinson live the other day vs Kitchener, he’s a bonafide stud. QB of the power play, he’s taken a massive step. Brandt is a righty. Otherwise, imho we need goal support more than defense right now… so if we get #2 or we can’t get Clarkey im taking Misa. We have Thrun future Pickles on the left, Muk, Dickinson.. so we either need to trade one of those guys to get a stud RHD like Clarke or take Misa over Schaefer. Look at Vegas after Petro, Wild/Faber, us in 2018 with Karl, EDM/Bouche, NJD/Dougie, NYR/Fox the list goes on… we need “the guy” on the right side like a Leafs/Tanev or whatever. Leafs built out core forwards now they’ve built the backend several years later. So if u wanna expedite our rebuild and be bubbly like the Habs we need a guy like Misa (tied Pat Kane for OHL goal record) more than Schaefer because of timeline and our plethora of LHD options. Taking Schaefer inevitably pushes out Dickinson for his role or Cags or Thrun. I love Thompson on the right side in 3-4 yrs and Cags can probably play RHD on PP in a couple years. I’m so adamant to grab Misa because we need badly GOALS FOR to be competitive and we don’t need a defender core for 3-4 years time when we’re competing 🏒 🎉😊

  10. Don’t be cheap Sheng!! 😅 Pay Boeser whatever he wants lol, I know Toffoli might be goal/AAV a better contract so give Toff another deal in 3 years that’s great and promise him a lifetime gym membership & free meals/snacks for like at the Shark Tank 😂❤ ps. Cat Tofollis podcast partner in crime is Julie Petry, welcome to San Jose Mr. Petry (RHD) 😁 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I’m getting away from Ekblad a bit lately, drugs & elbows 😮😂😂😊

  12. “Forecheck, backcheck, pay check” – Leafs “legend” Nikita Grebenkin (this was a great episode very fun to watch thanks ya’ll) 🌟 🏒

  18. Signing Marner 7×14 or 7×15 would be a mistake down the road when Celebrini and Smith are out of their ELCs. Dubas made the mistake in Toronto, paying Tavares big money, then had to follow that up by paying Matthews and Marner higher AAVs.

  20. I'd leave Marner alone. With all the cash I would look at RFAs and be a pain for other teams cap strapped. For instance (though he still may be too much after these playoffs) a guy like Matthew knies would be better imo he's younger and has that power forward pedigree. If leafs are adament on getting Marner back I'm thinkin it'd be hard to match. Obviously the cash may make Sharks give up too much but I image there's a few RFAs worth while. Look ho it went for Blues!

  22. In 1998 Sharks traded down from 2 to 3 because they did not like Legwand, after they just selected Marleau the year before, because they needed D. Got the pick for Cheechoo in the transaction. IF Misa goes at 1 and whoever is in 2 preferes a Center or a big winger like the Blackhawks, the Sharks could try to trade up to two to get their shiny thing. It could cost something like the Dallas pick or our own second and a B-Prospect.

  24. Love the episode guys, definitely need more JD – Keegan – Sheng Sharks Podcast , great vibes 🦈 Draft recap episode together fellas? 😉

  26. Saying "I don't if I'd go for a 100+ point right winger" might be the craziest thing I've heard you guys say. Don't let the flat cap pandemic era scare you away from logic. "I don't know if there is a fit there?". Sharks are hinging the franchise on two center prospects, you need elite wingers and d-men to compliment. You have no guarantees in Musty, Igor, or Kasper being locked in top-6 wingers.

    Sharks have the cap space now, buy outs and retains falling off in the near future, last year for Vlasic deal, and a future trajectory of significant salary cap increases for the next several years. 14m would be the new 10 mill in two to three years guys, that's how it works now post pandemic.

    A top 10 winger becomes available…why would Grier not at least try. Marner's don't come available every off season guys my god.

  28. Excellent podcast! Loved the debate and all the points brought up. I agree with a lot but here are my two main disagreements.

    1 – When drafting third, I do not think Martone is the pick. Then again, I am not sure which prospect is ranked third for GMMG. And I hope we do not find out who it is. I want Schaefer or Misa, lol. I do agree with the players you all listed, but then again, they are the same players everyone has listed for the last 4 or more months. I would pick Frondell myself.

    2 – Brock Boeser SHOULD NOT be the top FA forward GMMG acquires this offseason (IMO). Sam Bennet should be for three reasons.

    (A) Bennet is fast. like Smith (who we assume he will be sharing a line with). The last thing Smith needs is a slow wing. He should be going into the offensive zone with Smith, not behind him.
    (B) Bennet is physical and Smith is not. Smith needs a wing that compliments him and Bennet does with his physical play that Smith lacks. He is not bigger than Smith in stature, but he plays a natural physical game that will make space for Smith.
    (C) Bennet is not injury prone as Boeser is. The best ability is availability and Bennet has that in spades compared to Boeser. If GMMG is going to pay that kind of term and AAV then it had better be for a player that can complete a season.

    I could list other reasons to add to that, like for example, Bennet is a true 2C so if Smith does not work out or gets injured he can slide into the slot. When looking at their expected salaries Bennet is less in the AAV category which is important as he will need to be overpaid (IMO) either in term or AAV.

    This is not to say that defense should not be just as high on the list but Bennet will be a hot commodity and if available nabbed as fast as possible. Most likely he gets resigned by Florida, but if he is there, nab him, IMO.

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