Are Sharks ready to compete by 2026 season?

[charkblue]

Connor McDavid will be only 29 and a free agent in 2026. Is Celebrini, Eiserman, Smith, Eklund, Musty ready by then?
Can you imagine this top 6:
Eklund-McDavid-Smith
Eiserman-Celebrini-Musty

Click to read more...

 

[sharski]

TOO OLD

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't think I'd be ready to pay McDavid 15 mil per season for his 30-37 years.

 

[coooldude]

My answer to the title of thread:
The Sharks are only ready to compete in 2026 (which I interpret as compete for the playoffs -- not contend for the cup) if in this offseason or next, we significantly turn over our D corps, and our great prospect pool actually turns into productive players in the league. There's a chance of that but I still think, even with Celebrini, that we are pushing for the playoffs in 2026-27.

The thread itself, which is "Can the Sharks attract McDavid to sign with us / trade for him by 2026"?

I feel like McDavid is a pipe dream, and will cost so many assets that it's almost certainly not worth it. Gretzky never won in LA. I would be surprised if he forced Oilers to let him walk like Tavares did, so it'll cost way too much anyway.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Um.

 

[GRANdSharks]

if we had to sign mcdavid to a full value contract I think we would probably end up where Toronto has been, so I think I'd pass tbh

 

[Pinkfloyd]

if we had to sign mcdavid to a full value contract I think we would probably end up where Toronto has been, so I think I'd pass tbh

Especially if Celebrini comes as advertised as a legitimate 1C pretty much out of the gate. Crosby went from his ELC to 8.7 mil in a much tighter league for cap. If Celebrini is even remotely close to 1C during his ELC, he's probably getting 10 mil over 8 years and the Sharks need to plan for that.

 

[Skeksis25]

Its fun to plug in every decent prospect you have into future lineups and dream, but how often does it really work out that way. They are not all going to hit their potential.

 

[Alaskanice]

It’s going to depend on the free agents and trades to determine this.

 

[hohosaregood]

I think I have 2027 on my schedule if things break right. 2024 is the incoming year for Smith and Celebrini, full season or end of season. 2025 is when Musty, Bystedt, Edstrom get their chance. 2026 is probably the incoming season for the 1D prospect. 2027 is the year that everybody starts to settle in and the first year this group flirts with the playoffs.

 

[wishman]

We are getting Draisaitl and competing in 2025.

 

[Jargon]

We are getting Draisaitl and competing in 2025.

What’s this Draisaitl to Sharks thing? I saw something on Twitter in passing but had no clue what it was

 

[PattyLafontaine]

No. Celebrini would be 20.

 

[Juxtaposer]

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

View attachment 870799

lol this is brilliant except the part of becoming the oilers

What’s this Draisaitl to Sharks thing? I saw something on Twitter in passing but had no clue what it was

It popped up in my FB feed it was to stupid to bother clicking on and read

 

[WSS11]

Sure. Then we’ll sign Makar the following year

 

[WSS11]

What’s this Draisaitl to Sharks thing? I saw something on Twitter in passing but had no clue what it was

Speculation.

SPECULATION: Would Draisaitl Be Interested in Playing for Sharks?

Leon Draisaitl…to the San Jose Sharks? I’ll say flat out, that sounds like a real, real reach to me. But when not only one, but two NHL insiders are speculating openly about it? Well, it’s a fun off-season story, at least. “Do you think Draisaitl would go to San Jose because their owner is...

sanjosehockeynow.com

 

[Jargon]

Speculation.

SPECULATION: Would Draisaitl Be Interested in Playing for Sharks?

Leon Draisaitl…to the San Jose Sharks? I’ll say flat out, that sounds like a real, real reach to me. But when not only one, but two NHL insiders are speculating openly about it? Well, it’s a fun off-season story, at least. “Do you think Draisaitl would go to San Jose because their owner is...

sanjosehockeynow.com

Yeah, I’m with Sheng — I am wildly dubious.

 

[Cas]

Yeah, I’m with Sheng — I am wildly dubious.

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