WHO’S DONE IT BETTER!? SAN JOSE SHARKS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS REBUILD BREAKDOWN

On March 1st, 2022, the Chicago Blackhawks take the interim GM tag from Kyle Davidson and announce him as the 10th general manager in team history. In his introductory press conference, Davidson states that the Blackhawks are entering a rebuild opposed to a retool. He follows up by saying that this will take multiple years to complete and they will not stray from the plan. Likewise, a little over three months later, the San Jose Sharks announced the hiring of their general manager, Mike Greer, on July 5th, 2022. In his introductory press conference, Greer states that the team will be restored to its winning ways and that this is a new chapter in San Jose Sharks history. Hey guys, and welcome back to the KRS Sports channel. My name is Casper Roa, and today we will be discussing the upcoming rivalry between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks. Now, I know you might be thinking, “Casper, have you lost your freaking mind?” Not totally a little bit, but just hear me out, okay? Yes, describing these teams performances last season, there’s not really another word you can use besides abysmal. But I do struggle to find two teams in the NHL that have a better future than these two right here. So, in order to properly compare and contrast the two rebuilds, I separated this video into three categories: young players and prospects, who’s out of the rebuild first, and overall ceiling. To start off, we’ll be looking at the San Jose Sharks pipeline. And oh man, is it loaded with top end talent. I mean, Mlin, Celibbrini, Will Smith, Willie Mcklin, just this past year drafting Michael Misa. Gez Louise, it is stacked at the top. Like, I mean, this offense in a few years can be actual dynamite. Like, it’s terrifying. And that’s not even mentioning guys like Cole McKini, Quentyn Musty, Philip Bistad, Igor Sherneshoff. Like, this offense is nuts. Absolutely nuts. That’s where it kind of brings me into their weakness. And I don’t want to call it a full weakness. I would just say it’s weaker because they still have some top end names here, but I just don’t think it’s to the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks on defense. Um, names like Sam Dickinson, newly drafted Simon Wang. I think those two guys are going to be very good. You got Luca Kagnoni, very solid season this past year. You got some very projectable Dmen. And I think with this offense, it could really kind of pair nicely. You know, you got kind of some puck movers, some size there. So, I do think their top four defensive pairings could be deadly, but depthwise, and I know you can acquire defenseman and free agency and trades and things like that, and this rebuild is definitely not over yet for the Sharks. They finished dead last, and they were a full what, nine points behind the Blackhawks. But you definitely see where it’s going and it’s trending in a very good direction. Now, switching over to the Blackhawks, I definitely do think they have less top end talent and that’s definitely obvious, but I do think their pool is deeper. And I don’t know if this is just because I am a Blackhawks fan, but I swear you can name their prospect pool till the world ends. Like obviously you have your Bedard, your Nazar, Anton Fondell recently drafted but you have guys like Nick Lardes, Oliver Moore, Roman Canerov, Sasha Bav, Vatlaf Nestil, Mason West to keep going here, Merrick Vaner. You can just really keep naming them. Samuel Savois, Ryan Green, AJ Spely, and I’m just kind of looking at like a list here, but there’s just I can just keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. And like I said, I don’t know if that’s just because I’m a Blackhawks fan and I’m aware of all these guys. And I’m not going to lie, I don’t necessarily know every last person in the Sharks organization, but it just really does feel like they have something here in terms of depth. Now, looking at the Hawks blue line, this is where I think they have the Sharks beat by a lot. I mean, Sam Renzel, Ardum Lefchinoff, Kevin Kchinsky, Ethan Del Mastro, Norland Allen, Wyatt Kaiser, Alex Blic, I didn’t even say you can kind of just keep going. Lu Krevier if you want to even add him in there. Um it’s just really really deep in quote Frank Saraveali an embarrassment of riches on the back end. And yes barring a total miracle which I definitely welcome. I don’t think they have that, you know, Kale Mar, Quinn Hughes, Lane Hudson now true to size number one defenseman, but just the collective puck movement, the size, the skill, the defense, I really think they can kind of pair together and they’re kind of built in my eyes like the Florida Panthers. Like if you squint you can kind of see the resemblance with the you know Samron zel arm left that’s kind of your Aaron Eblad type and then a Nolan Allen or an Alexic that’s more of your Gustaf Forsling like no I don’t think they’re going to be putting up 100 point seasons anytime soon but just playing as pairings and just on the special teams units I really think the Blackhawks decor they’ve built so far will be turning heads in a few years and then very quickly here because I do realize now that I forgot to mention goalies I do think this kind of sways back to the Sharks here just with Joshua Ravensburg and now and obviously Yaroslov Ascarov that they acquired from the PRs. I really think they definitely have the Hawks beat here even though the Blackhawks got Spencer Knight and he’s still very young and I think he’s got tons of potential and they have you know Drew Kesso, Adam Gion which you know they’ve had their struggles and their ups and downs but goalies I just there’s a reason I kind of forgot about it just because I don’t think goalies you know they have a very very long path to develop. I mean you know Cory Crawford it took him forever. I think he was drafted in 2003. Don’t quote me on that, but when did he play? 2011, 2010. Like, took a while, you know. But yeah, definitely think the Sharks got us there. All right, to put a bow on this first segment, I’m going to say it’s a tie because I really think the Sharks just have the top end talent by far here. Like, by far, by far. But the Blackhawks, just how deep their prospect pool is. And what is it, 11 first round picks over the last four drafts, that’s nuts. Absolutely nuts. Like obviously not everyone’s going to hit, but just the waves of these guys coming through is going to end up creating a really, really, really deep team for the Blackhawks. And that’s why I throw out that Florida Panthers comparison again, you know, just how deep they are and kind of the Blackhawks Cup teams, just how deep they were. Obviously, they had that top end talent. I mean, we have Bard and I think he’s going to make massive leaps. Like, I didn’t even talk about this this video, but I really think he’s going to take a jump next season. Celebrating, too. But Bard, I really think he’s going to start touching 90 95 points. Yeah. So, I think top end talent goes to the Sharks and then the Blackhawks definitely have the depth, which you know, other people are going to say depth is way easier to acquire than top end talent, which the Hawks are definitely a step behind in that category. So, maybe that nudges the Sharks ahead in some people’s opinions, but just in my opinion, I think they kind of level out. So, that brings us into topic number two, who gets out of the rebuild first. I’d like to just preface that this isn’t one of those things where I’m gonna wow you with statistics. This is mostly opinion based, but I think even though the Sharks finished nine points below the Blackhawks this year, I don’t think any of these teams are getting out within the next two years. Let me just be clear. I do believe the Sharks get out first. I just think it’s way easier to see a path for them now. And not saying that us Hawks fans don’t believe in what Kyle Davidson is building here. You know, we don’t want to be those sorry Detroit fans with the eyes are playing. What is it? Year seven, year eight now. But I really don’t think it’s that because we have a Conor Bard. What is their best prospect? Was Dylan Lurin part of that? I think he was, but you know, they have the Lucas Raymond. That’s not Conor Bedard. And I I like I said earlier, I think Conor Badard is going to have a massive leap this year. And I think the production will come for him and the Blackhawks. But I think it’s just easier now to see the Sharks with just what they have on offense in Celibbrini, which I think he’s going to take another leap. I think Will Smith’s going to take another leap. And William’s production only goes up with them improving as well. And then you look at Quentyn Musty coming through. Uh Michael Misa, who else did I not mention? Sherneshoff, McKini. Like these guys, like it’s scary, man. But that kind of takes us to topic number three. And for topic number three, I have ceilings. And here is where I have the Chicago Blackhawks taking the crown. The San Jose Sharks, I do see them getting to possibly the playoffs and kind of deep, not too far. Conference final, the furthest thing um for now in the short term. But second round, first round is about where I see them before the Blackhawks. But I do think the Blackhawks once they kind of acquire I don’t want to compare it to a Marian Hosa type acquisition cuz that was massive and obviously we’re not there yet. It’s not 2009. But I do believe that the Blackhawks once they kind of start rolling and Badar takes his jump and Nazar takes his jump hopefully if all goes according to plan and Fondell is what we believe he possibly could be. I think just adding one more guy Jason Robertson. Um, I don’t think Kar Capri off is going to be available, but that that would be awesome. I I for some reason I just look at Kar Capri off and I think Kyle Davidson has a big man crush on him. I don’t know why. I really think that’s one of the players that just like I mean I think anybody falls in love with his game, but I would love a Caro Capri off on the Blackhawks. I digress. But yeah, like I mentioned earlier, I think the Blackhawks are more comparable to an earlier Blackhawks run, Florida Panthers team where I think they’re just deeper on scoring, 2-way play, size, all that stuff. And like I said earlier, this last draft really, really helped him on that front because before that, it was like, sick, we got the skill and the speed. Where’s the size? Kyle Davidson said, here’s the size. So now that we just have this pipeline going and going and going, I really do think once the Sharks have their little moment of glory, the Blackhawks are going to come in hot and possibly take it from them. You know, it’s hard to predict the Stanley Cup champion, and I’m not saying they’re going to be one, but I really do think this team’s going to be very good for a very long time. All right, that’s basically all for this video. I want to thank you guys so much for watching. Um, this one took a little longer, not incredibly long. I was just busy. But let me know what you guys think. I obviously didn’t talk about every single last detail, but if anyone wants to talk about anything in the comments, anything that you agree with, anything you disagree with, definitely let me know. I also want to say I’ve been very active on Twitter recently. So, if you want to give me a follow there, you don’t got to, but if you want to, you know, engage with my account, go drop a hate comment or two, uh, very much appreciated. But my name’s Casper Wajwell and I’ll see you guys next time. Thank you.

Hey guys and welcome back to another video on the KRCHISPORTS Channel.
Today we are discussing who has had the better rebuild thus far, the San Jose Sharks or the Chicago Blackhawks?

As always, hope you enjoy and leave any feedback in the comments 🙂

Kyle Davidson Press Conference – Chicago Blackhawks on Youtube
Mike Grier Press Conference – KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA on Youtube
Depth Charts – Elite Prospects

49 comments

  1. Nice video. As a sharks fan, I try not to be too biased about our prospect pool and understand that not every single one of these guys is gonna hit, but if even half of them do sharks could be rolling out a legit scary top six in a few years Chicago definitely has us beat on defense Unfortunately, the way the draft and free agency has worked out so far for us there just hasn’t really been a lot of options, but I would imagine Greer will be trying to fix that in the next couple of seasons. Overall, I think the one thing both of these teams have done extremely well is to really tear it down and start from scratch. I think Detroit is a perfect example of the type of team that hasn’t been bad enough to really get elite talent and just good enough to continue to miss the playoffs. With the right additions I can see both of these teams taking legit shots at the cup all through the 2030s.

  2. I'd say it depends on if San Jose can draft a Verhoeff in 2026, then it'd be pretty clear in favour of SJ.

    You play with 12F and 6D on most nights which means the need for quality F talent is much greater than on the back end. The Sharks already have a B+ level d prospect in Dickinson and guys like Mukhamadullin and Pohlkamp who could be middle pairing guys.

    In terms of up front, Celebrini, Smith, Misa, Eklund and Chernyshov as a core five is just nutty. Rounding out with guys like Musty, Halttunen, McKinney, Bystedt, Graf and Cam Lund who could all be NHLers as well.

    I think San Jose is a bit ahead, they've been more fortunate, although if Chicago have an immense amount of talent on the backend and Connor Bedard who was viewed as one of the best prospects of all time on draft night.

    The West will be a bloodbath in 5 years with Utah, San Jose, Anaheim and Chicago all going at it with the studs they've drafted.

  3. Seemed like your overall thesis is that the Blackhawks will be better built for playoff hockey. I think it's debatable. Macklin Celebrini plays a 200 foot, two way center game. Paul Maurice himself compared Macklin to Barkov when the sharks were in florida. Having an elite 1-2 center punch is crucial to winning the cup and the sharks will have Celebrini-Misa. yes the sharks have a bit of a ways to go on the back end but they have so many prospects and assets they could just trade for a blue chip defenseman at some point to add to Dickinson, Mukhamadullin, Cagnoni, Wang, etc

  4. Mike Grier inherited the worst situation you could possibly imagine. The Sharks were buried in horrible contracts for old veterans. Plus they didnt have any high-level prospects outside of William Eklund. Its amazing that Grier was able to unload so many of those veteran contracts without sacrificing valuable draft picks.

  5. Not sure these 2 teams are comparable, the Hawks have been rebuilding since the late 2010's but just weren't able to put it together. Also Grier was gm in 2022 but it was right before the draft, so all those guys they picked were Doug Wilson Jr's guys (who nepobaby'd his way into the scouting dept btw, and it showed). Wilson also left the cupboards very dry since we were trading away firsts to extend our window.

  8. Bro is tripping thinking the blackhawks will dominate in size and grit in the playoffs. A large portion of they’re best young talent including Connor bedard is below 6ft 😂

  9. The Defence takes longer to mature and the Sharks need to draft at least 3 impact D . That will take time since they are not even in their system yet . I think the Blackhawks are far superior to the Sharks , up front its close but Blackhawks are better their as well.

  10. The Blackhawks need to trade florida pick with Reichel and maybe a 2nd rounder to get another top 15 pick that way they have 2. This draft is too deep to not give these players to help out Bedard and Frondell. Especially if you’re going to be facing teams like the future, San Jose Sharks Anaheim ducks Montréal Canadiens you’re going to need them.

  12. No offense but sharks have so much more depth on offense then Blackhawks you didn’t even name byeted grafe kasper and more I just can’t remember but it’s Insain how good our offense is I wish we selected a defender with 30 overall for a deeper defense but our offense is so much better and our goalie is o much better it’s just facts at this point because yeah hacks deep but no superstars surrounded by all stars like sharks and you need it for a winning team but I loved this video after all

  16. This was a good analysis, thank you. I enjoyed your viewpoint between our clubs. I've been a Sharks fan for 24 years and believe that hockey is the best freaking sport ever. When I think back to our entry into the NHL in 1991, our teams are forever linked with the acquisition of Doug Wilson, the 1st captain of the expansion SJ Sharks.

    The Blackhawks has the history and bragging rights over the Sharks with 6 Stanley Cups. SJ is coming up on 34 years in the league and still looking to hoist it!

    I don't have an opinion about which team's rebuild is ahead. Because no matter how things appear on paper, what counts is what happens on the ice. Who has the better players, or deeper pool is arguable in my opinion. But there is that magical ingredient called chemistry that can be the difference maker which can't be measured in stats or draft picks. And it can create confidence and momentum for a team success. I can't predict how that pans out for our respective teams. But these are exciting times for our young teams, and I can't wait until the puck drops in a few months!

  17. All I can say coming from a Sharks perspective is that I hate the Blackhawks with plenty of passion from our previous rivalry in the 2010s and it hasn’t changed one bit 😂 I look forward to both teams making the playoffs again but this time whooping you guys.

  19. Sharks will be a dynasty. Hawks future just depends on Bedsy. I hate how this offseason they again didnt even try to surround Bedard with actual players he can work with. They didnt even try to pick up Marner or Ehlers😢

  22. They are both about in same position in rebuild, it really comes down to next year in draft and FA to see who fills in spots better. Sharks are likely to tank this year like last year, play close but lose. Could see Blackhawks trying to win more next year, and effectively capping their ceiling.

  23. As a sharks fan, which it seems like there are plenty of us here lol I too really enjoyed the perspective and think both teams in the long run will create a great rivalry in years to come! Hope the vibes improve next few years in Chicago and I loved to get a look into another rebuilding team from your perspective 🙂

  24. As a Blackhawks fan it feels like we've been rebuilding forever and there's no end in sight. They are gonna be bottom 5 again next season and the defense is still trash.

  28. As a Chicagoan Blackhawks fan living in N. California, the 24-25 Sharks team feels like what the Blackhawks were in 2007. I now feel like I am more excited for the Shark's future than I am with my hometown Chicago. I feel sad saying this out loud. Plus, I want the Teal to lift up the Stanley Cup in San Jose.

  30. 3:31 I'm a Sharks fan and I can tell you that if you start just listing off their prospects forever, you can do that for the Sharks too. That's what makes this so interesting and I genuinely believe that the sharks and Blackhawks could trade Stanley cups for the next few years. You didn't even mention someone like Eric Pohlkamp, a RHD from the 5th round who has a TERRIFYING shot and has looked really solid for the University of Denver. I'd also say the Sharks goaltending is by far better, Askarov and Ravensburgen have more potential than anyone I'm aware of in the Blackhawks pipeline. That being said, I'm not going to pretend like the Sharks defense prospect pool is better than the Blackhawks.

  32. Stopped watching once you said ur a blackhawks fan. This was supposed to be unbiased, now I don’t know the actual truth since you don’t know the players the Sharks have except for the mainstream ones.

  35. As a sharks Fan I couldn't agree with you more. I'am not a hockey expert my no means so I see things in a more
    logical way than analytical. And I will say Sharks have been a organization built on scoring over defense. Thats why in my opinion we have never won a cup. IF we build our defense with Physical players than we solid future.

  38. As a Sharks fan, I feel like we have the far deeper pipeline because I can name 15-20 guys deep but can only name 5-10 of the Blackhawks guys because I am a Sharks fan.

    Both teams are probably similarly deep but the Sharks have the big advantage Forward wise, we really are only missing a premier RHD(hopefully Verhoeff in the next draft) and have the best GK pipeline in the league rn.

    Regardless both are going to be fun teams and I’m looking forward to getting back to playoff series between our teams again

  40. Too bias here. Your argument is that the Hawks will be the better team because they will acquire the piece they need, that same reasoning can be used on the Sharks who just slightly have the cap advantage over the Hawks.

  41. You should change the title to "why I think Blackhawks are doing better" because you don't know enough about the sharks rebuild to make a comparison.

  42. Sharks season ticket holder for 34 yrs. I was even at their very first practice on Sept 6th 1991 and have the roster sheet framed. I was already a fan before they started so I’ve got a lot of Sharks history and amazing firsts to witness in person. My Dad and I never missed a game at the Cow Palace and the first three years at the Tank. Then I got a really bad flu and missed my first game in 96. From 13-48 the Sharks have been my passion. It’s special to be a part of a franchise from the very bottom to now. I have every real authentic made in Canada jerseys they have ever worn but I still wear my 1991 autographed 75th anniversary patch Patty Falloon jersey to every game (most of the time) I got it when I was a young teen but just the sleeves are a little short. Sharks fans love it. The collection of memorabilia I have especially from the CP days is insane. I got a authentic white jersey with SHARKS 91 on it and we would wait on the side of the CP to get autographs and I got the entire team and coaching staff signed on it then framed in my Sharks cave. The Sharks have always been a great bonding experience with my Dad who is 94 now and can’t go to games anymore is a strange feeling but that’s life. I have an almost 5 yr old daughter who I’ve trained early on to love the Sharks. Starting next season she will be able to go to night games as well. So I am keeping the family teal going.

    I’ve traveled to see the Sharks in all seven Canadian arenas, Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton were so cold even the natives were saying it’s never this bad. A storm carrying -45 to -60 to those three cities followed us was just brutal but we had five layers of winter clothing and masks.Ive seen them at The old Boston garden and their latest. The Great Western Forum and Staples (whatever it’s called now, awful place for hockey) Anaheim, Arizona, Dallas, The Garden, Nassau Coliseum, Carolina, Tampa, Florida, Nashville, Colorado and Chicago. This year I need to go to Detroit to see them in all original six arenas.

    The Sharks pool is so deep and with the cap space Grier will have next offseason and so many great players becoming free agents in my mind we are only missing two pieces. A really good defenseman and a power forward winger. With Celebrini, Misa, Smith, Eklund, Askarov, Dickinson, Chernyshov, Musty, Cagnoni Mukhamadullin, Halttunen, Wang, Bystedt, Sahlin Wallenius, Lund, McKinney, Ravensbergen,. Adding Reaves to protect our future I love. Toffoli is still pumping in 30 goals and adding Skinner who will have a much better season with the ice time will be a great trade line move. 26-27 is the year we are finished building. I think we have the highest cap for next offseason which Grier is licking is chops for and the draft we have two first and two second round picks again. It all depends who Grier picks up next off season to surround our young core. I honestly think we could be back in the playoffs.

    Sharks for life!🦈❤️🤘

  43. There is so much that can happen in the next 3-5 years that it makes it unpredictable in this age of parrody. Cups will be up for grabs by at least 6 teams as rebuilds around the league move to top end teams. Mckenna in next years draft will be a key should he fall to Chicago or San Jose. Also the Hawks have 2 first round picks and 3 second round picks in a good draft year next year. I think no one player locks it in for a given team. I subcribe to the depth in the system and all round consistent talent across the board on the active roster as the defining element. Managing the cap is also huge.

  44. Homer. It’s not even close and I’m a HUGE Blackhawks fan. KD wasted so many 1st round picks on 3rd line talent. Levshunov at 2 will be his undoing as GM. Demidov is a game changer. Moore is a speed skater NOT a hockey player. No finishing at all in his game. Sharks are miles ahead of the Hawks.

  45. Celebrini > Bedard
    Misa > Frondell
    Dickinson > Levshunov/Rinzel

    In all seriousness though, both systems are stacked. I think it is going to depend on which GM transitions from rebuild to contender the right way so they don’t turn into one of the 20 year rebuild teams(Buffalo). At some point you have to start winning, which GM and team does that best.

  47. Neither. Neither has done it, so neither has done it better. So far it's close IMO. Bedard is much better than most people realize and the best player within these two teams, however San Jose has been better at drafting otherwise.

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