San Jose Sharks Prospect Ranking

2024-02-09

It's been roughly 6 months since our last peak into the Sharks system to see what's on the horizon, so let's take the time and rank our prospects. 

 

1. Matvei Michkov RW 5’10” 172 lbs - HK Sochi (KHL)

Last Season ranking: NR

San Jose’s top pick in the 2023 EHE draft at 4th overall, Michkov sits atop the Sharks prospect pool due to his insanely high IQ and great release on his shot. His high IQ has been on full display in Sochi these last two seasons as he’s elite at manipulating defenders and finding open space. His puck skills are also well above average, when you think you have him in your sights, he’ll still find a way to evade pressure. The last thing we’ll highlight here is his shot, the one-timer is already elite as well as his release. It’s not the fastest shot, but he is able to handcuff goalies and pick open net with ease. Through 40 games this season he’s amassed 35 points, quite exceptional for a young player in a top men’s league.

EHE Future Outlook: Under contract in Russia until the end of the 2026 season, He’s expected to make his NHL debut for the 2026-2027 season. This would put his EHE debut in the 2027-2028 season. The good news is he should bypass the AHL and be an impact player right off the bat.

 

2. Jiri Kulich C/LW 6’1” 185 lbs – Rochester Americans (AHL)

Last Season Ranking: 2nd

San Jose’s top pick one year ago at 16th overall in the 2022 EHE draft, Kulich comes in 2nd in the Sharks top 10 prospect ranking. The Sabres were testing using Kulich as a center in the AHL but have recently abandoned that idea and moved him back to the wing. He’s great at finding soft spots in defensive coverages where he can utilize his elite one-timers and his great shot. His rookie season in the AHL was very impressive as not too many teenagers play at that level in that league and he’s currently on pace to surpass those numbers this year. He got a cup of coffee this season with the Sabres but will likely force their hand to keep him up next season.

EHE Future Outlook: Kulich signed his EHE entry level deal this off-season and will be a big factor for the Barracuda this season and next.

 

3. Trey Augustine G 6’1” 179 lbs – Michigan St. U Spartans (NCAA)

Last Season Ranking: NR

Augustine was the 2nd goalie off the board at the 2023 EHE draft, taken 34th overall by the Sharks. His coaches have had glowing reviews of him and he’s been getting the nod as the top guy in the US development program for tournament play. He’s a technically sound goalie who possesses elite net awareness, never seeming to lose his place. He covers the posts well and rarely gets beat there. One area he’s been working on this season is his puck tracking, which was a weakness highlighted in his draft year. He isn’t big by goalie standards and can get beat up high. His 16 wins and 3 shutouts is quite impressive for an 18 year old in the NCAA.

EHE Future Outlook: Future Sharks #1 goalie? Honestly I have no idea how long he’ll stay in college, and he’ll likely need at least a season in the AHL. So his EHE ETA is unknown.

 

4. Brad Lambert C/W 6’0” 183 lbs – Manitoba Moose (AHL)

Last Season Ranking: 5th

Lambert was a player on draft junkies radar well out from his draft year when he got a few games in Finland’s top league as a 16 year old. One year out from the draft he struggled to find consistency in his game and ended up in the coaches doghouse and a change of teams didn’t fix the issue. But post draft Lambert has picked up his play starting with his terrific WHL season and this season selected as an AHL All-Star. His game relies on his elite skating and his ability to show off his great puck skills at top speed.

EHE Future Outlook: He’s arrived for the Barracuda this season and will likely be there next year as well before getting a sniff on the pro team.

 

5. Scott Morrow RHD 6’2” 194 lbs – Umass Minutemen (NCAA)

Last Season Ranking: 3rd

Morrow’s combination of size and speed is what makes him such a highly touted player, he plays a high-octane style game and is a dynamic puck moving defender. He’s quick in transition and has good top end speed and has excellent edge work. Due to his style of play he leaves a lot to be desired with his defensive play and his play without the puck on his stick, though you could argue a having possession of the puck is good defense in itself.

EHE Future Outlook: I expect he turns pro after this season, so likely available in the EHE next season or the one after.

 

6. Liam Ohgren LW 6’1” 187 lbs – Farjestad BK (SHL)

Last Season Ranking: 4th

Ohgren was injured in his SHL pre-season and missed a chuck of time this year and has been passed over by Lambert in our prospect ranking. He’s a hard working winger who is a jack of all trades type as he’s good to above average in nearly every category. One area that does stand out is his heavy shot, which is something he needs to show more often. He uses his teammates well and has been a play driver, which gives him high floor potential as a safe bet to make the NHL. He’s said he's committed to making the Wild team in the NHL so look for him to make his way over to North America next season.

EHE Future Outlook: Should debut in the NHL or AHL next season, so his ETA in the EHE is likely to be the 2025-2026 season.

 

7. Filip Mesar RW 5’10” 172 lbs – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Last Season Ranking: 6th

The Rangers were a bit of a mess last season and took some heat for their performance in the playoffs. This has had Mesar falling in other prospect rankings, but the EHE Sharks remain high on him and have him as the #7 prospect. He’s a great transition player who possesses elite zone entry skills. He’s a good skater with good lateral movement and can be deceptive for defenders to nail down. He’s currently on pace to blow past last seasons scoring totals but the true test will be how he and the Rangers perform in the playoffs.

EHE Future Outlook: Could join Laval at seasons end so he could be available in the EHE for the Barracuda as early as next season.

 

8. Alex Vlasic LHD 6’6” 216 lbs – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

Last Season Ranking: 12th

Vlasic has been hard to place on prospect lists due to the fact his value lies in his defensive play, so just looking at stat lines would leave the average person unimpressed. Despite the lack of offense, he’s been on the ice for more goals for than against this season. He’s a good skater despite his large frame and looks smooth on the ice. He also has a rocket of a shot from the point which he’ll need to get on target more often. On the backend he’s great at shutting down the opposition off the rush and gets into passing & shooting lanes in the defensive zone.

EHE Future Outlook: Should be primed to take a top 4 role on the backend for the EHE Sharks next season.

 

9. Ryan Chesley RHD 6’0” 201 lbs – U of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA)

Last Season Ranking: 7th

Chesley scored 17 goals in his draft year, showing he might have a good offensive game to develop. But two years later the offense isn’t living up to the hype. That said, he’s been the perfect defense partner for offensive minded defenders. He makes the safe play in his own zone, wins most puck battles, and plays with a physical edge. He has a very high defensive IQ, knowing when to pinch and when to retreat. He’s also been a great communicator with his partners and looks like a good complementary player.

EHE Future Outlook: I would think he stays in college at least one more season. So the earliest he’ll be available in the EHE is the 2026-27 season for the Barracuda.

 

10. Cameron Lund C/W 6’2” 192 lbs – Northeastern U Huskies (NCAA)

Last Season Ranking: 8th

Lund has improved this season and has already surpassed his goal and point totals from last season in 10 fewer games. He has an NHL level shot already and has been the guy setup on the power play for the one-timer. His skating is good despite not having elite high end speed, it’s his edge work that is most impressive. He’s been using his teammates more this season than last year and has shown a commitment to his play away from the puck.

EHE Future Outlook: I don’t think the Sharks are in a rush to get him signed, so he’s likely to return for a 3rd year at college. His ETA in the EHE is up in the air.

 

11. Massimo Rizzo C 5’11” 174 lbs – U of Denver Pioneers (NCAA)

Last Season Ranking: 15th

The dude produces everywhere he goes and it’s likely the trade to the rebuilding Flyers that gave him a clearer path to the NHL.

 

12. Cam Allen RHD 6’0” 194 lbs – Guelph Storm (OHL)

Last Season Ranking: NR

Allen has recently returned from injury and will take time to get back up to speed. He’s a two-way defender who can play with a bit of an edge.

 

13. Martin Misiak RW 6’1” 194 lbs – Erie Otters (OHL)

Last Season Ranking: NR

It was Misiak’s U20 tournament from 2022 that put him on my radar. He’s a high energy player that is great at forcing turnovers and rushing defenders into bad plays.

 

14. Cross Hanas W 6’1” 181 lbs – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

Last Season Ranking: 13th

He’s a high skill player trying to adapt to the AHL game. His play without the puck this season has taken a big step forward, now he just needs to keep producing.

 

15. Ethan Hay C 6’0” 190 lbs – Saginaw Spiit (OHL)

Last Season Ranking: NR

A long shot player in the prospect pool, Hay plays a physical game and isn’t afraid to drop the mitts. There is some untapped offense in his game, he’s actually produced fairly well with the Spirit.




Harald Geissler

i really really like mitschov i am just afraid he will bust in northamerica because i see a very difficult character in him talentwise for me he is even better than bedard

San Jose Sharks Prospect Ranking
Top 15 players in the Sharks system

• 0 teams Like this  2 months