Editor’s note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to KeynoteUSA Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
There’s no suspense about what the Sharks are doing with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, but what about their 14th pick?
San Jose Hockey Now spoke to four NHL scouts about four prospects who will likely be there at No. 14 and three who probably won’t be.
For more detailed scouting reports on potential forwards and defensemen the Sharks could be considering at No. 14, check out SJHN.
Should it be there?
Cole Eiserman is one of the most polarizing figures in the draft, perhaps its best scorer, but otherwise he has big questions.
“Best shot in the draft. Great instinct to score. A natural finisher,” said Scout No. 1. “Everything else needs to come a long way.”
That’s putting it kindly, both on and off the ice.
“Think about the NHL, you have a one-dimensional, below-average skating shooter,” Scout No. 2 said.
“I don’t think he’s a bad kid,” said Scout No. 3. “He’s just on his own page.”
“I think all the negative things about him have maybe increased a little bit,” said Scout No. 4. “So the Combine will be a good time for him to change the narrative.”
But despite Eiserman’s supposed friendship with Macklin Celebrini, Scout No. 1 doesn’t believe San Jose will draft the sharpshooter: “If the Sharks took Eiserman (at No. 14), my jaw would be on the floor.”
If he stays at the helm, the well-rounded Michael Brandsegg-Nygard could be Eiserman’s opposite.
“A power forward. Built for the playoffs,” said Scout No. 1. “Similar to Ryan Leonard but not as talented.”
The 6-foot-1 winger has a solid floor, but what’s his ceiling? That’s a heated debate.
“I would be surprised if the Sharks took him. I think he’s overrated,” Scout No. 2 said. “I think he makes the NHL, but I think you’re looking at a third- or fourth-line winger.”
The No. 3 scout responded: “I think the offensive game is underrated. He has a pretty good chance. I wouldn’t be surprised if he reached between 25 and 30 goals at some point in his career.”
“He looks like a Sharks-type player,” Scout No. 4 said, “but 14 might be high for a guy with a limited ceiling.”
Of course, between Celebrini and Will Smith and William Eklund and Quentin Musty, you can argue that the Sharks are ahead going forward. But on defense, San Jose is missing the four best players in the system, save for Shakir Mukhamadullin.
Stian Solberg appears to be emerging as the cream of the crop of second-tier defenders in the first round.
“The best body checker in the draft. Think Niklas Kronwall. Size. Competitive,” Scout No. 1 recited. “Two-way game. He leans more on defense but he also has some offense.”
“If I was doing a mock draft for the Sharks right now, I think this would be a kid I can see them taking,” the No. 2 Scout said of the 6-foot-2 blueliner.
The No. 4 scout agreed: “It looks like the type of profile defense that San Jose has been trying to change recently. Some have had success and others, like Okhotiuk, maybe not so much.”
Defenseman Adam Jiricek is also in the photo. The 6-foot-3 blueliner appears healthy after knee injuries shortened his season.
“Two-way game,” said Scout No. 1. “He’s not a big hitter like Solberg, but he’s equally competitive in other ways.”
That said, there is concern about using a lottery pick on a player coming off such serious injuries.
“Using a pick that high on a guy you haven’t seen since December, it’s tough,” said Scout No. 2. “If I had to guess, I think the Sharks overlook him and he slips a little bit.”
“I’m not sure what elite talent is other than a good skater and passer,” the No. 4 Scout said, adding, “I would have some questions about taking a torn ACL who moves the puck.” in two directions when there are probably There will be better options (in 14th place).”
However, the No. 3 scout believes there are advantages to this: “He’s a pretty good all-around defenseman, with size. Skates pretty well. “It would be an interesting value pick.”
Could fall?
If 5-foot-10 Berkly Catton or 5-foot-11 Konsta Helenius go down, it will likely be because of their size. Both would be steals at #14.
Scout No. 2 prefers Helenius to Catton: “If he came to San Jose at 14, I’d say you can’t (pass him up). I know they are already pretty strong in the middle with Mack and Smith.”
“A full 200-foot center. Elegant. Play-driver. Competitive,” said Scout No. 1. “Good at everything, but maybe lacks the high-level talent to become a star.”
Catton should offend more.
“He’s a dynamic winger,” Scout #2 said.
“If it falls and it’s there, do we really have a choice?” Scout #3 reflected. “Sometimes those guys happen. Like it was too good to pass up.”
On the blue line, Carter Yakemchuk, counted among the top-tier defensemen in this draft, also appears to be the most likely to fall to the 14th spot.
It’s unlikely, but the Sharks can dream of leaving Sphere with a potential No. 1 center in Celebrini and a top defenseman in Yakemchuk.
“Some (teams) love him and some quite despise him,” Scout No. 2 said.
“You’re getting almost a quarter ahead. Really offensive, very skilled,” the No. 3 scout said of the 30-goal scorer. “He has better hands than some of the forwards in the draft.”
“The beatings on Yakemchuk?” Scout No. 2 reflected on the 6-foot-3 rearguard. “You see that big size, he doesn’t really defend that well.”
Does Yakemchuk have any Brent Burns in him?
“Their tools are exciting. He makes some mistakes on both sides of the puck,” Scout No. 3 said. “But he’s a really talented player.”
“There’s a lot of boom or bust with him,” said Scout No. 2. “But if he’s 14, I think he’s a guy the Sharks pick.”
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