Timo Meier was returned to the Halifax Mooseheads today after staying at camp longer than expected. He impressed head coach Peter DeBoer and gave Sharks fans a look at their future power forward. He was also named Captain of the Mooseheads upon arrival.
Timo Meier returns to Mooseheads, named team Captain: http://t.co/9vVxOhzgB6 pic.twitter.com/X13YVPQtZP
— Halifax Mooseheads (@HFXMooseheads) September 28, 2015Joonas Donskoi, Thornton’s New Shotgun Partner?
The 23 year old Finn who wowed everyone with his playoff MVP in Liiga is having himself a nice few games during the 2015-2016 pre-season. Donskoi may only have one goal in the three contests he’s been in, but he’s been a very nice fit with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski – and that might be his ticket to the show.
Right now he’s on the 27-man roster that remains in camp. That’s a roster that includes Mike Brown, Frazer McLaren, Raffi Torres and Matt Tennyson – just to name four players that should be reassigned before Donskoi.
There’s a legitimate chance he makes this team, but there’s also a chance the Sharks choose to ice a less talented player – which happens to be any one of the above mentioned individuals.
Finding chemistry with Joe Thornton is like trying to get water out of a tap – no effort required. To Donskoi’s benefit, he’s been given that opportunity during the pre-season and did well with it. That goes as a plus for his case to make the team.
Right now, with the roster that’s there, Donskoi would absolutely be on my final list.
Nikolai Goldobin Ready For The Big Leagues?
Goldobin was a late cut last year and had a good development year between HIFK and Worcester last season. Now, like Donskoi, he finds himself in the group of 27 that also boasts some pretty terrible hockey players that shouldn’t be picked over Goldobin.
The only thing with Goldobin making the team is that I’d prefer he was in an offensive role, rather than what they’ve mangled Hertl into – which is a bottom-six player that was drafted in the mid-first round. If he had of panned out that way on his own, fine, but to do it on purpose is a waste of first round pick and there’s no need to do it again.
The Sharks seem hell bent on getting at least one of Brown, Torres or McLaren into the lineup, so that could be Goldobin’s swan song. There’s nothing wrong with another development year in San Jose with the Barracuda, though. He could likely use it, even though he’s a better option than the three goons.
So, here is my final 23-man Sharks roster, even though I know this isn’t what DeBoer’s will look like.
Forwards (14)
Thornton, Couture, Pavelski, Marleau, Ward, Donsoki, Goldobin, Tierney, Nieto, Hertl, Karlsson, Goodrow, Smith, Wingels
Defence (7)
Burns, Vlasic, Braun, Dillon, DeMelo, Mueller, Martin
Goalies (2)
Jones, Stalock
Assigned to Barracuda: Brown, Torres, McLaren, Tennyson
What are your ideal final rosters Sharks fans?
Thanks for reading.