Another draft has been completed, and it was one that made formulating a top ten list quite for the Sharks difficult. However, after much deliberation, using many different sources and opinions, I have finally come up with a top ten that I am comfortable with.
While the player’s abilities is the key deciding factor, other factors such as experience at a certain level, how NHL-ready a player is, and intangibles (IE: height, weight, etc) take a part at times, particularly after the fifth selection where any of ten players could be anywhere from 6th through 15th.
Look for in depth player evaluations of all key Sharks prospects to come in the next week or so here at hockeysfuture.
1st: Jonathan Cheechoo-RW/LW
This was the only easy selection. Of all Sharks prospects Cheechoo is the most ready for the NHL, has successfully played at all levels of competition, and simply has the most talent at this point of his career than anyone else in the Sharks system.
Cheechoo played significant time at left wing last season for Cleveland of the AHL, which he may need to do again next season if he has a chance of cracking the Sharks lineup. While his natural position is right wing, he will have a tough time earning ice time with Teemu Selanne, Owen Nolan and Nik Sundstrom all entrenched in their spots on the right. However, with only Scott Thornton and Adam Graves with solid positions on the left (Marco Sturm also plays on the left, but is often at center), that could give Cheechoo an opportunity.
Cheechoo will start off like all Shark rookies start Read more»
Photo: Travis Oleksuk is one of many free agent signings in the San Jose prospect pool. Oleksuk managed 21 goals and 32 points in 41 games with Minnesota-Duluth before signing an entry-level deal. (Photo courtesy of Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)
