Looking at the 10 Best San Jose Sharks Prospects (Part 1)

 

(Photo: NHL)

The Sharks have been a perennial playoff team for awhile now and haven’t missed the playoffs very often. The Sharks haven't had the luxury of having high selections in the entry draft because they usually pick in the 20’s. This comes with a lack of star power in the prospect pool that a rebuilding team will normally have. San Jose's normally regarded as one of the weaker prospect pools throughout the league due to the lack of starpower. They have a plethora of solid depth pieces that most people don’t even know exist. In these next few articles, I will be going over my personal top 10 Sharks prospects that Sharks fans should be keeping an eye on. In this article, spots 10-6 will be featured. Part 2 will reveal spots 5-1. (For the purpose of this list, I am considering playing 10+ games in the NHL/25 years old+ as no longer eligible).

Honourable mentions: Maxim Letunov (C), Brinson Pasichnuk (D), Jayden Habgewachs (C/LW)

10. Josef Korenar (G)

Even though Korenar went undrafted, the Sharks quickly signed him 2 weeks later. Korenar is mainly known for his all around athleticism and his movement. Sharks goalie coach Evgeni Nabokov says his movement is explosive and that his mobility and ability to track pucks is his biggest asset. Korenar had an exceptional debut season in the AHL where he was named an all-star. Korenar posted a 2.54 GAA and .911 SV% while splitting the net with former Sharks goalie Antoine Bibeau. This year, Korenar’s numbers saw a dip because the team dropped in the standings. His numbers this year were a 3.11 GAA and .891 SV%. Being only 22 years old, the 6’1” netminder has the potential to be a good NHL goalie if he can bring more consistency in the net. It's doubtful Korenar makes the NHL this year with the Sharks looking at other options in free agency, so expect Korenar to split the AHL starting position with the newly acquired goalie Alexei Melnichuk.

9. Yegor Spiridonov (C/LW)

Spiridonov was selected in the 4th round of the 2019 draft. Yegor has the potential to be a mid/late round steal. Spiridonov, 19, is 6’2 and plays a solid 2 way game. His offensive ability can help him become a very good puck handler, good playmaker and someone who can also score goals. The main gift that he has is in his own zone. Spiridonov is already an effective defensive forward while playing over in Russia. Spiridonov uses his big frame to win puck battles, block shots, play physical and win faceoffs in all three zones.  Spiridonov is a good penalty killer and someone coaches can trust to take care of their own end. Spiridonov’s skating ability is there, but needs some work if he wants to be a top 6 forward in the NHL. His strides are not the fastest, but it’s hard to knock him off the puck with his wide skating stance. If he can get some more speed and acceleration from his stride, then this kid has all the tools become a very good 2 way center in the NHL. Spiridonov put up 22 points in 26 games in the MHL this year and 3 points in 18 games in the VHL. He is still under contract with Russia until next year, so he'll try to elevate his game in leagues like the KHL next year. 

8. Jonathan Dahlen (LW)

Dahlen was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators 42nd overall in the 2016 NHL draft. After a series of trades that he was involved in, he's currently with the Sharks. Dahlen was a top end prospect, but has fallen quickly in value because he hasn’t transitioned to the NHL yet. At age 22, Dahlen has yet to see NHL action and is playing overseas in Europe. Dahlen has all the offensive talent and ability to be a highly productive first or second line winger. For some reason, it hasn’t clicked yet and him playing in Europe instead of North America, has had his chances drop because people think that he may never come back to North America. If the Sharks can get him over to North America and develop him, they got a steal. Dahlen put up a very impressive season with Timra IK in  the Allsvenskan, where he scored 36 goals and 77 points in only 51 games. Although he is one of the most skilled players in the Sharks system, his chances of playing for Sharks seems dim right now. That's why he's lower on the list.

7. Ivan Chekhovich (LW)

After an impressive 2016-17 draft year in the QMJHL, Chekhovich fell all the way to the Sharks in the 7th round. Chekhovich is a small skilled player with a wide range of talents. The question is, can he all put it together consistently? He proved himself in juniors, finishing his final year with 105 points in 66 games. He had a short stint in the AHL after finishing his last year in the QMJHL. He seemed to be a lock for a long look from the Sharks in training camp and maybe even an early season call up, but this year didn’t go as planned. Chekhovich struggled heavily this season in the AHL, only producing 12 points in 48 games. He’ll need to have an extremely good training camp and a bounce back season to prove that this year was a fluke and that he can be a top 6 winger. Don’t give up on him yet. Chekhovich has the skating, shot and talent to bounce back and reach his potential. 

6. Artemi Knyazev (D)

Drafted 48th overall in 2019 by the Sharks, Knyazev is an offensive pucking moving defencemen. His greatest asset (puck moving defender), is becoming more of a trend in today's NHL for defencemen. Knyazev is quick on his feet and loves to lead the rush and quarterback the play. He plays an aggressive game throughout all zones, making rushes fast and coming back to break up plays. Although this produces well for him in the offensive zone, he can overcommit sometimes in his own end and like all young defencemen, he'll have to work on ironing out the wrinkles to his defensive game. Knyazev put up an impressive 11 goals and 43 points in 51 games for Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL this year. The 19 year old 5’11” Russian defenceman has all the tools to become a solid top 4 defenceman in the future after some more development time in the AHL. 

In a couple of days, be sure to check back for players ranked 5-1! 

~sjsharks_hockey (Instagram), BTH Writers

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