San Jose Draft Review

The San Jose Sharks entered the 2020 EHE entry draft with 2 picks, pick number 46 was acquired in a trade sending LW Pavel Buchnevich to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for big Defender Jamie Oleksiak, Prospect RW Martin Kaut, and pick 46 in this years draft. The other Sharks pick was number 116, this pick was acquired by the previous GM sending center Cody Eakin, forward Brendan Gaunce and SJ pick number 56 to the NY Rangers in exchange for Center Alexander Wennberg, Defender Dominik Masin, and pick number 116.

As the draft got underway, the phones were fairly quiet. There was an opportunity to move down or up in the second round, but there was one name on the GM's draft sheet he was certain would be available so the team sat waiting as names started falling off the "plan B" list. And when the team was called to make their first selection in the 2nd round at pick number 46 the GM called:

46th Overall:

LW Cross Hanas 6'1" 165lbs - Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Cross failed to secure a top 6 role 5 on 5 in Portland this past season, he shows flashes of good play in 5 on 5 but was too inconsistant. He looked great on the PP and managed to put up respectable totals despite the role on the team. Hanas has great hands and can make plays with speed or in tight. His first few steps are fast and he's a good skater but he needs to work on his stride to stay at top speed. He uses his teammates well, can make blind passes tape to tape, and possesses an accurate shot that he can release deceptively. He'll need to continue to fill out which should improve the power of his shot. This is definately a boom/bust type of player, playing with more consistancy shift to shift, game to game will go a long way for him.

NHL Style Comparison: Benoit Pouliot / Ceiling: 2nd line scoring LW - Floor: AHLer

116th Overall:

LW Drew O'Connor 6'3" 190 lbs - Dartmouth College (NCAA)

Drew was just 5'8" in his first draft year eligible, this was a big reason he wasn't on teams radars. He shot up to 6'3" since and has filled out nicely in college. The other thing that got him noticed was his goal scoring, he led Dartmouth in goals in both his seasons there and has been one of the premiere goal scorers in the NCAA since joining. The obvious trait is his NHL calibre shot, but he also skates well enough for a big guy and scores in clutch situations. He's got good stick work as well but is more of a straight ahead type guy rather than dekeing all over the place. He projects as a power forward.

NHL Style Comparison: Wayne Simmonds / Ceiling: Middle 6 power forward - Floor: AHLer

"We went in hoping to come out with two players we had highlighted at both picks" Said GM Mitchell after the live portion draft was completed. "We are happy that we have drafted both those targets. It's tough getting game breaking talent without a first round pick, but we feel we've added two players who could have a big impact down the road."

In other San Jose Sharks news, Defender Matt Niskanen surprised management by retiring this off-season. He had two years left at $8,875,000 per season. This surprise move leaves a big hole on the first defensive pairing.