iSharks Look for Under the Radar Candidates to Make Impact
Mar 17, 2016 18:59:17 GMT -5
Beans (BOS) and bjernagris (PHI) like this
Post by Isaac on Mar 17, 2016 18:59:17 GMT -5
In the short life of the iNHL, the iSharks have made a science of taking young, under the radar players and milking the most out of them.
Last season, players such as Ashton Sautner, Reece Scarlett, Colby Cave, Sacha Guimond, and others played important minutes down the stretch and into the playoffs, filling in for injured stars admirably. Those guys are no longer under the radar, though some might question how they will adjust to a full set of iNHL games.
This season, the main question facing the iSharks is once again their health. But who are we kidding? They're the iSharks. They're probably going to have their entire first line out for the year at some point. That's where the under the radar candidates come in.
Here are some players that if given an opportunity could pay huge dividends. Players include unheralded prospects, depth signings, and prospects not expected to make their mark this year.
RW Timo Meier - Okay, maybe a blue-chip prospect wing that went 9th overall in 2015 isn't really under the radar. However, iSharks GM Isaac Reid has made clear that the current plan is for Meier to play most, if not all, of the season in the AHL. If injuries crop up, Reid might be forced to play Meier, and while he's definitely not fully polished, he can score, which would fit in just fine with an iSharks lineup that loves putting the puck on net.
LW Julius Junttila - A 25 year old wing who played last season in the SML, the Finn has a chance to open the year with the team. After choosing the iSharks over the iBruins, Junttila looks to be a solid signing. A quality skater, Junttila has a strong hockey sense and a quality shot. He does have some defensive shortcomings, but could potentially put up a decent amount of points to make up for them. Nevertheless, expect to see Junttila paired with a defensively strong player, such as Brian Boyle or the recently acquired Dominic Moore.
RW Chad Costello - He's 30 years old, and hasn't played a minute of iNHL ice, playing the entirety of the 2015-2016 season playing for the ECHL Allen Americans. However, he was a standout there, with 32 goals and 52 assists. While unlikely to even appear on the roster, if injuries create a need, Costello should be there. If any of his ECHL performance translates to the iNHL, Reid adds another ECHL find to his resume.
LW Ahti Oksanen - A goalscorer who could also play defense in a pinch, Oksanen impressed the iSharks brass with his shooting ability in college, and signed with them this off-season. GM Isaac Reid has a history of taking chances on players with only one or two plus skills (Colby Cave and Sacha Guimond, anybody?), so Oksanen should have his opportunity with inspired play in the AHL.
C Ethan Werek - An ECHL signing from last season, the 25 year old Werek played 14 games for the iSharks, and for the most part was unimpressive in all of them. A two-way player, Werek could see some time if defensive-minded forwards Moore and Boyle see the San Jose injury bug strike them. He's probably a long-shot, but the decision to re-sign him after the season speaks volumes about his potential usage down the road.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, and it's still early enough that one or two additional depth pieces could be added, via signing, waivers, or trade. Some honorable mentions include RW Miro Aaltonen, LD Patrick McNally, LW Justin Rose and G Keith Kinkaid. The iSharks' strength is in their depth and ability to glean production from unlikely sources, as we saw in their miracle run to the iNHL Western Conference Finals. In a perfect scenario, none of these players see a minute of iNHL ice, but with Joe Thornton returning shortly after the season starts, and Pavelski returning in mid-November, the iSharks could be fun to watch this year.
Last season, players such as Ashton Sautner, Reece Scarlett, Colby Cave, Sacha Guimond, and others played important minutes down the stretch and into the playoffs, filling in for injured stars admirably. Those guys are no longer under the radar, though some might question how they will adjust to a full set of iNHL games.
This season, the main question facing the iSharks is once again their health. But who are we kidding? They're the iSharks. They're probably going to have their entire first line out for the year at some point. That's where the under the radar candidates come in.
Here are some players that if given an opportunity could pay huge dividends. Players include unheralded prospects, depth signings, and prospects not expected to make their mark this year.
RW Timo Meier - Okay, maybe a blue-chip prospect wing that went 9th overall in 2015 isn't really under the radar. However, iSharks GM Isaac Reid has made clear that the current plan is for Meier to play most, if not all, of the season in the AHL. If injuries crop up, Reid might be forced to play Meier, and while he's definitely not fully polished, he can score, which would fit in just fine with an iSharks lineup that loves putting the puck on net.
LW Julius Junttila - A 25 year old wing who played last season in the SML, the Finn has a chance to open the year with the team. After choosing the iSharks over the iBruins, Junttila looks to be a solid signing. A quality skater, Junttila has a strong hockey sense and a quality shot. He does have some defensive shortcomings, but could potentially put up a decent amount of points to make up for them. Nevertheless, expect to see Junttila paired with a defensively strong player, such as Brian Boyle or the recently acquired Dominic Moore.
RW Chad Costello - He's 30 years old, and hasn't played a minute of iNHL ice, playing the entirety of the 2015-2016 season playing for the ECHL Allen Americans. However, he was a standout there, with 32 goals and 52 assists. While unlikely to even appear on the roster, if injuries create a need, Costello should be there. If any of his ECHL performance translates to the iNHL, Reid adds another ECHL find to his resume.
LW Ahti Oksanen - A goalscorer who could also play defense in a pinch, Oksanen impressed the iSharks brass with his shooting ability in college, and signed with them this off-season. GM Isaac Reid has a history of taking chances on players with only one or two plus skills (Colby Cave and Sacha Guimond, anybody?), so Oksanen should have his opportunity with inspired play in the AHL.
C Ethan Werek - An ECHL signing from last season, the 25 year old Werek played 14 games for the iSharks, and for the most part was unimpressive in all of them. A two-way player, Werek could see some time if defensive-minded forwards Moore and Boyle see the San Jose injury bug strike them. He's probably a long-shot, but the decision to re-sign him after the season speaks volumes about his potential usage down the road.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, and it's still early enough that one or two additional depth pieces could be added, via signing, waivers, or trade. Some honorable mentions include RW Miro Aaltonen, LD Patrick McNally, LW Justin Rose and G Keith Kinkaid. The iSharks' strength is in their depth and ability to glean production from unlikely sources, as we saw in their miracle run to the iNHL Western Conference Finals. In a perfect scenario, none of these players see a minute of iNHL ice, but with Joe Thornton returning shortly after the season starts, and Pavelski returning in mid-November, the iSharks could be fun to watch this year.