San Jose Sharks Prospect Ranking 2023-08-01 With the Sharks and Barracuda out of the playoffs, there isn't much to do in San Jose. So instead of sitting around, let's dive into ranking the prospects in the system. 1. Wyatt Johnston C 6’1” 185 lbs – Dallas Stars (NHL) Acquired: 28th overall 2021 EHE draft 2022-23 Stats: Regular Season - 82GP / 24G / 17A / 41P / 20 PIM / +6 Playoffs: 19GP / 4G / 2A / 6P / 4PIM / -4 Johnston made the Stars lineup out of camp this season and stuck as the teams third line center. He seemed to get better as the season wore on. In the playoffs he was fairly quiet early on but really picked up steam late, scoring the winning goal to send them to the conference finals where they finally bowed out to Vegas. He ended up at the 2nd line center spot between Jamie Benn & Tyler Seguin. That’s high praise from the coach. EHE Future: Johnston appears set to bypass the AHL and go directly to the Sharks pro roster where he looks poised to take a middle 6 center position. 2. Jiri Kulich C/LW 6’0” 179 lbs – Rochester Americans (AHL) Acquired: 16th overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 Stats: Regular Season: 62GP / 24G / 22A / 46P / 18PIM / -7 Playoffs: 12GP / 7G / 4A / 11P / 2PIM / +1 He was playing against men in Czechia prior to joining the Americans in the AHL this year, so it’s no surprise he didn’t take long to adjust. What really stood out was his shot, its a pro level shot already as proven by his 24 goals in his North American debut. He didn’t show any signs of slowing down either when the playoffs rolled around, scoring 7 times in just 12 appearances. His attention to detail without the puck will need work, he was touted as having a 200-foot game at the draft but will need to improve in that area. EHE Future: Kulich looks like he’ll join the Barracuda next season in the AHL and should have a big role on the club. 3. Scott Morrow RHD 6’2” 194 lbs – University of Massachusetts Minutemen (NCAA) Acquired: 41st overall 2021 EHE draft 2022-23 Stats: NCAA: 35GP / 9G / 22A / 31P / 16PIM / -3 Morrow is a dynamic offensive defender who excels with the puck on his stick. He saw his point and goal totals dip this season, but that’s more a result of the whole team rather than Scott’s play since he led the team in points and was 1 goal off the goal leader who had 10 goals. Offense isn’t the only part of his game where he excels, he’s great in all three zones. He’s returning for a 3rd year at Umass where he could lead the team in scoring again. EHE Future: I’m not sure if a 4th year of college is likely, but I’ll be conservative and say yes. That would put his EHE debut around 2026-27. 4. Liam Ohgren LW 6’1” 196 lbs – Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan) Acquired: 17th overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 Stats: Regular Season - 36GP / 11G / 9A / 20P / 2PIM / +15 Playoffs: 17GP / 8G / 5A / 13P / 4PIM / +10 2022-23 International Stats: 17GP / 4G / 1A / 5P / 0PIM / -7 Ohgren had a decent season with Djurgardens, showcasing a great release to his shot with 11 goals. His season really took off in the playoffs, where he led his team with 8 goals. He regularly finishes seasons with more goals than assists, but he does more than just snipe. He’s able to do everything at speed, which should translate well to the NHL. EHE Future: He signed with Farjestad BK in the SHL and was loaned there for the season. His North American debut looks like it will be in 2024-25, so his EHE debut should be on the Barracuda in 2025-26. 5. Brad Lambert C/RW 6’0” 183 lbs – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) Acquired: 34th overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 Stats: AHL – 14GP / 2G / 1A / 3P / 8PIM / -9 WHL – 26GP / 17G / 21A / 38P / 12PIM / +27 WHL Playoffs – 17GP / 6G / 20A / 26P / 8PIM / +13 What an interesting year for Lambert, slipping all the way to 30th in the NHL draft, playing lights out in pre-season for the Jets, then playing mediocre in the AHL with an injury, to lighting it up in the WHL & playing in the Memorial Cup. Mix in some underwhelming performances in international tourneys and we’re still not sure what we have here. He looks dynamic in the WHL against his peers, one of the more noticeable players on the ice. EHE Future: With 14 games in the AHL, I think we’ll see him debut with the Barracuda next season. 6. Filip Mesar RW 5’10” 176 lbs – Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Acquired: 21st overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 stats: Regular Season: 52GP / 17G / 34A / 51P / 8PIM / -9 Playoffs: 9GP / 1G / 3A / 4P / 0PIM / -4 Mesar had a streaky season in the OHL with the Rangers. He started the season on a tear but really cooled off with the rest of the team as the season wore on. One major issue with Kitchener was poor coaching and once they made a coaching change, Mesar’s game looked considerably better, though some consistency issues lingered as he ended up on the 3rd line in the playoffs. His zone entries are still elite, but he’ll need to put on some weight to make it through traffic. EHE Future: Where he’ll play next season is up in the air. I suspect he’ll be with Laval, which would put his EHE debut in 2024-25 season for the Barracuda. 7. Ryan Chesley RHD 6’0” 201 lbs – University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA) Acquired: 27th overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 stats: NCAA: 36GP / 2G / 8A / 10P / 13PIM / +15 He was touted as a two-way defender prior to joining U of Minnesota and put up decent offensive numbers with the USNTDP. But last season he was on the bottom D pair and was used in more of a shutdown role. This year he should get a much better look with Faber, LaCombe & Johnson turning pro. The Gophers could use his big point shot on the PP this season and I think he should get at least some time on the 2nd PP unit. EHE Future: Hard to tell right now, but I think he stays in college for another 2 seasons. That would place his EHE debut around 2025-26 with the Barracuda. 8. Cameron Lund C/W 6’2” 192 lbs – Northeastern University Huskies (NCAA) Acquired: 47th overall 2022 EHE draft 2022-23 stats: NCAA: 35GP / 7G / 16A / 23P / 16PIM / +1 Lund has a large frame that’s very projectable at the next level to go along with an NHL calibre shot. He’s also versatile enough to play center or on the wing. His stats don’t blow you out of the water or anything, but the production is good for a middle six player. One area where improvement is needed is his play without the puck, at times he looks disinterested when play turns the other way. He could also engage in more physical play away from the puck as well. EHE Future: It’s hard to project an EHE debut for NCAA guys who weren’t 1st rounders. I could see Lund going back for a 3rd year, which places his EHE debut around 2025-26 season. 9. Akira Schmid G 6’5” 205 lbs – New Jersey Devils (NHL) Acquired: 148th overall 2019 EHE draft (Kyle Phillips as GM) 2022-23 stats: NHL: 18GP / 2.13GAA / .922SV% / 1SO / 9-5-2 W-L-T NHL Playoffs: 9GP / 2.35GAA / .921SV% / 2SO / 4-4 W-L AHL: 23GP / 2.62GAA / .905SV% / 2SO / 11-7-4 W-L-T Schmid put up much better numbers in the NHL than AHL, but this was due to the strength of NJ’s pro team. He also looked real good in the playoffs, helping his team get past a strong Rangers team before being overwhelmed by the Hurricanes in round 2. His post-season stats puts him among the better goalies in the playoffs. He has that prototypical size you want in a #1 goalie. EHE Future: He’s a prospect based on NHL games played, even though he was SJ’s #1 goalie last season in EHE. Still looks like the best option in net unless a veteran is brought in through trade or UFA signing. 10. Jacob Perreault RW 6’0” 196 lbs – San Diego Gulls (AHL) Acquired: Traded from Colorado for Carter Verhaeghe & 2022 117th overall pick (Cedrick Guindon) 2022-23 stats: AHL: 48GP / 8G / 11A / 19P / 44PIM / -16 The Gulls were a very bad team last year, mimicking their parent club. Perreault finished 11th in scoring on the team despite the poor numbers, which shows you just how bad they were. He’s still very young though, this would’ve been his first pro season had he not gone right into the AHL due to the covid seasons. This will be a big season for him though, he’ll need to stay healthy and be a more consistent player. EHE Future: This is a big year that could determine whether he is just an AHLer or if the NHL is in his future. After the top 10, we get into the longer shot prospects. 11. Francesco Arcuri C/LW 6’1” 201 lbs – Kitchener Rangers (OHL) Acquired: 165th overall 2021 EHE draft Will debut in the AHL next season. Might end up playing the wing due to the Stars depth at C. 12. Alex Vlasic LHD 6’6” 198 lbs – Rockford IceHogs (AHL) Acquired: Traded with Par Lindholm & 2022 17th overall (Liam Ohgren) for Kevin Hayes Looks like he'll get a shot with the Hawks in the NHL next season. 13. Cross Hanas LW/RW 6’1” 181 lbs – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) Acquired: 46th overall 2020 EHE draft Played pretty well in his pro debut. Would like to see where he's at over a full, healthy season. 14. Ian Mitchell RHD 5’11” 174 lbs – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) (Traded to Boston) Acquired: Traded with 2024 3rd round pick for Evan Rodrigues & Mitch Vande Sompel Needs to clean up play in his own zone, Boston could be a good place for that. 15. Massimo Rizzo C 5’11” 174 lbs – University of Denver Pioneers (NCAA) Acquired: 53rd overall 2022 EHE draft I'm higher on Rizzo than most, I think he's got pro potential. 16. Martin Kaut RW 6’2” 190 lbs – San Jose Barracuda (AHL) Acquired: Traded with Jamie Oleksiak & 2020 46th overall (Cross Hanas) for Pavel Buchnevich Back to Europe for Kaut who struggled to secure a spot with the Avs & Sharks. Marc-Andre DoreAnd 2 great young talents will probably be added to that list next September. Future is bright in San Jose San Jose Sharks Prospect RankingA look at the prospects in the Sharks system• 1 teams Like this 1 yearView all 2 commentsMarc-Andre Dore Haha I wish you more.. from 3rd to 5th round, it is more of a gamble 1 year 0 teams Like this Justin TangLove this! Wish I had a prospect Cupboard just to do one of these.San Jose Sharks Prospect RankingA look at the prospects in the Sharks system• 1 teams Like this 1 year
