The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!
Chris Peters shares the latest Draft buzz. Could the San Jose Sharks opt for Anton Frondell over Michael Misa at No. 2? (32:08)
But before Chris jumps on, what’s the latest Sharks’ free agency and Draft buzz?
A note of remembrance about Chris Collins, the founder and GM of the China Sharks. (2:28)
There’s a little Mitch Marner to San Jose smoke? (Sheng still doesn’t think it’s going to happen.) (4:32)
When does Mike Grier feel the heat? (8:15)
What’s going on with the San Jose Sharks’ quest to improve their defense? Is a trade coming? (10:12)
On the increasing Frondell at No. 2 rumors…what’s going on? (21:21)
Sheng still thinks the pick will be Misa.
And now, Chris Peters! (32:08)
Is the Matthew Schaefer to the Sharks’ dream dead?
Peters just had Frondell going to San Jose in his latest mock draft. What’s he been hearing about Frondell over Misa? (34:35)
Is Frondell over Misa just a smokescreen? (38:40)
Who benefits from letting this type of information (or misinformation) slip out? (41:46)
What’s the argument for Frondell over Misa? (43:48)
Discussing the perceived public gap between Frondell and Misa. (47:10)
What does Chris think of a potential trade between the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks for No. 2? (53:26)
What could the Sharks do with their No. 30 and 33 picks? A defenseman and another power winger? (57:18)
Thoughts on Cameron Reid, Benjamin Kindl, Semyon Frolov, William Horcoff, and Kristian Epperson? (1:03:35)
33 Comments
I’m gonna die if we really take frondell over misa
Mike should be fired on the spot if he botch the #2 pick and pass on misa. Stop trying to be cute and over think the pick. Get misa and move on.
Ty
Plattner isn't getting any younger either. I wonder what his view is on the rebuild and how patient he will be if next season doesn't take a step up.
Regarding the Misa vs Frondell ruminations, Frondell is an average yet strong skater (something he has said he is focused on improving this offseason) but obviously not at Misa's elite or near elite level. Frondell is not good in transition while Misa makes it look effortless. But maybe SJ won't care given the areas where Frondell is elite: his board play is pretty incredible where he can pivot off the boards when he appears smothered and come out with the puck and make a dangerous play. He's built like a tank and he's not slow. He's already strong as hell and should get stronger. When he hits guys, they get jolted. He's a good passer but he's not a great passer. I still think Misa is the guy to take, but I could see Frondell being seriously considered with his unique skillset. He's more like Tkachuk or Sam Bennett than any forward in this draft.
Frondell kind of reminds me a bit of a younger Hertl when he was playing on the wing and could still move pretty good. In the 2016 cup final, Pittsburgh's fanbase breathed a huge sigh of relief when Hertl went down to injury in game 2. He was an absolute demon on the forecheck just cranking guys and turning pucks over on the forecheck. I think Frondell would be better than Hertl offensively and defensively and bring that uber physical game to the table. I don't know how much recency bias will come into play. Maybe they view Frondell as a forward that would be less likely to be shut down and smothered like Florida shut down Edmonton's elite scoring forwards when it mattered.
It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out.
“If James Hagens was on the London Knights” I get where Chris was going with this scenario, but you have to consider how stacked London is vs Saginaw. Nothing serious, food for thought.
I agree, the gap between Misa and Frondell isn’t amazingly wide. At each other’s peak, especially. However, I don’t think Misa gets enough credit for his defensive side of his game. Misa is a great forechecker and can get deep in the corners.
I’m very sold on Misa, but I wouldn’t really hate Frondell. Misa is very similar to Macklin and who doesn’t want two Macklins? You also have to consider Misa’s chemistry already built with Chernyshov. Mack and Will chemistry on the 1st line. Misa and Iggy on the 2nd. Chemistry is so key to build championship teams.
As for the defense, I think Fiddler would be worth a trade up. If Hensler slides, definitely worth too. However, I’m not so worried on defense at the moment. We’re not gonna be great next year and there are a couple of right-handed defensemen that are gonna go high for us to potentially snag. Would be nice to solve, but we have plenty of opportunities in the next couple of drafts to fill the need.
Interesting to hear the talk of Frolov over Ravensbergen. If Ravensbergen happens to be at 33, I’d take a shot.
If you can get Rinzel to move down, Sharks should do that easily. Even Korchinski. Bruz looks like a really boring player bottom pairing D. Maybe he has more offense next year if Sam D leaves London but they should just pick BPA even if it's a FW imo.
For the love of God please don't Galaxy brain this and pass on Misa
Welp, guess I need to start watching Frondell highlights…
I don’t believe Grier wouldn’t take Misa at 2.
If he must he needs to trade down to Chicago at 3 and get assets for it. But I hope not.
Desperate podcast with outlandish takes to attract viewers.
Im the biggest Mike Grier supporter but if he drafts Frondell over Misa ill have to reconsider. I get it, some people have Frondell really high but dont overthink this one. You have a chance to get Misa to be a deadly number 2 center who would be a number 1 center on most teams. I get some people think it’s possible he is a wing (which i dont agree with) but the same could and is often said about Frondell, and i hear 2nd liner more than anything . We didn’t suck all year to mess up the draft smh
If Marnes takes a 3-4 year offer, then I doubt it’s with the Sharks given where they are currently at. Never know tho
What are we smoking crack at this point if we pass on Misa what’s even the point rebuild honestly this has be the absolutely most stupidest move the sharks have ever done in all of franchise history Passing on Misa who is arguably even a first overall is a no brainer this is dumb beyond dumb takes like this is why we will never win a cup picking bs picks
I would be ok with trading the #2 pick to Chicago in exchange for the #3 pick, #25 pick, and Sam Rinzel.
So far… while I don't expect the sharks to make the playoffs, I have a feeling the team is gonna near or at last place again. I don't see any reason to think differently. It's gonna be a continuation of the last half of the season when they trades the assets that helped them have an "okay" first half.
It's gonna really hurt the brand if the team doesn't make any improvements this season/off season. They absolutely have to "take a step". Marginal improvements in stats isn't gonna be enough (like last season) and no amout of PR or slogans by the team will cut it.
Sharks are drafting miss they’re just doing this for views
Misa is the pick at 2 unless NY passes on Schaefer. All the best teams in recent years have 2 1st line center ie Crosby and Malkin or McDavid and Draisatl. Im imagining a future where we're in the playoffs, down by a goal with a few minutes left and we stack the top line with Misa and Smith on the wings around Mack. The flexibility we'll have is insane.
Frondell is better than Misa
Frondell is Patrick Laine 2.0.
Great shoot. Good body.
Inconsistent as fuck. Either he fixes that and becomes a prenium NHL player, or he doesn't and he becomes a major bust like Laine.
Sharks should draft Misa and then between him and Smith you've got a solid 2C and the other can play wing on the top line eventually.
Sharks should stay the course. Next off-season is the time to get a little more aggressive.
As a Sacramento Kings fan talking about this gives me flashbacks of drafting Bagley over the obvious pick of Doncic. Nughtmares
Love the dose of reality. Thank you, Sheng.
The only reason I can see drafting Frondell over Misa is because Misa, Celebrini and Smith are basically the same player. Frondell is more a two way power forward type who’s ready almost immediately. That said Misa is still th3 right choice unless Grier can get something additional out of Chicago to swap picks.
Those who say "Frondell played against men in a better league!" are also those who said Kaapo Kaako should go before Jack Hughes because "he played against men in a better league!".
Frondell is ~7 months younger than Misa, excelled in a pro league, and has two-way skill. His scouting profile reads similar to hertl. Also, how many sharks fans still birch over passing on Pastrnak in 14? Late spring and early summer bday players have more room for physical maturity than their older counterparts, and those age groups Tend to produce more stars in the NHL.
There are only two ways I'd be okay with someone who is not Misa:
a) the Islanders take anyone other than Schaefer, in which case you then take Schaefer at #2.
b) we trade the #2 pick and get something that helps the team at least as much as Misa would have.
Crosby/Malkin and McDavid/Draisaitl and Gretzky/Messier these are basically two top centers on the same team.
That is what Celebrini and Misa get us.
We do have a lot more top forward prospects (or young players in the league–Celebrini, Smith, Eklund) than defense.
So if we could barter/trade the #2 pick for someone on a level with Schaefer/Dickinson, who is 23 or younger and willing to sign long term with the Sharks.
But if we don't get a top two-way defense prospect back for the #2 pick and Schaefer is gone at #1, then Misa is the only choice that makes any sense.
Mentally preparing myself if they pick Frondell.
This is the Kakko/Hughes bullsht all over again.
As a Blackhawks fan I'm happy with either Misa, frondell or Martone! They all offer something different. I'm intrigued by Frondells one timer he has the best shot in the draft.
So much for Misa is the obvious choice. How quick things change in the course of a week lol
Yes Sheng Peng, you are correct that the pressure is really on Mike Grier not to finish last again or miss the playoffs. 4 years at the controls of an NHL team is enough to test any GM, and owner should be demanding significant results for the fans. Coaches get incredible pressure while the GM sits behind the office door making deals or not making deals. I hope we see an almost all rookie Sharks team next year or a big movement to youth over the journeymen role players employed by Mike Grier to tank last 2 years. Tanking is not an option this year I hope, or maybe injuries could sink the team again. More luck involved in NHL than most people recognize.
Exceptional status…….
i could see the hawks seriously consider trading vlasic or korch if the sharks are willing to move down to #25 overall. but not to just slide down 1 spot to #3 overall.