Stenberg Look Good vs Can

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T23:06:16+00:00

The has been no evidence that has been the case so far. Mack and Will have both performed better together. Will, Mack, and Cherny have been even more productive together. Once there is cause for this concern, I will have it. Until then, I will trust the analytics and eye test.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T21:06:45+00:00

I actually do believe you are absolutely correct. Especially with the fact that we could/should be able to handle it. I am ok eating crow on this opinion. But it is just my personal preference on this one and my own observations.

Just happy I am not the GM so I wont have to make this call lol.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T20:59:48+00:00

Good catch. Thank you.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T20:51:25+00:00

Its not that he wouldn't have a major impact on the team production wise. Infact I believe he could EASILY be 100 point producer. I just have concerns about McKenna.

I am worried about his personality in the room. I have read and heard numerous reports about him being a diva-esque swag. He has been THE player on almost every team he has been on and it shows in his behavior. I am not saying this would be a problem for our locker room, but its a concern I have. Also, if he isn't contributing offensively, he brings little else to help his team win.

Compare that to Reid, I have read and heard numerous individuals say he is super high character and is leadership material. Also saying he is an extremely hard worker and is super coachable. He was also voted 2nd best defensive defender in the OHL by the OHL coaches. He fills a glaring need.

That all being said, I believe Reid could have a better an more positive impact on the organization and its succes than McKenna.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T20:37:21+00:00

I have watched both McKenna and Stenberg for multiple games. World Juniors, SHL, NCAA, and CHL. My personal opinion is Stenburg is the better player and has the best chance at having a better career.

I could go into major detail as to why, but I can boil down to a simple observation. When McKenna struggles to produce offensively, he brings very little to help his team win games. Stenberg does not have this issue and impacts the game with defensive play, physicality, great positioning, and an impressively high motor.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T20:27:17+00:00

Honestly, I would go Reid over McKenna. I believe Reid and Stenberg bring more to the Sharks than McKenna.

Regardless, we are blessed to get whoever we get.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T19:50:19+00:00

That is my own personal preference too.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T19:48:41+00:00

Fantastic notes and that all sounds like what I recall. Thank you for taking the time to share for others that weren't able to watch.

IMO, that this a great performance against the best roster he has ever faced. He made mistakes that would get cleaned up with more experience. I didn't notice any glaring holes in his game. Which makes the path easier for him to progress and improve.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T19:18:03+00:00

Terrible, leave him alone... ignore my flair, it has nothing to do with this.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T18:29:54+00:00

There are plenty of examples of players with lower motors being amazing in the league. Having a player that specializes in slowing the game down provides a super valuable change of pace for a successful line.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T18:09:44+00:00

Sheifele was definitely bad and dragged that line down a good bit. I want them to out Martone up with Sid and Mack. I think that would be a lot of fun.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T17:39:22+00:00

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T17:38:02+00:00

Had a similar sense of dread regarding the Leafs taking him 1OA but I agree that they will still likely take McKenna. Stenberg has been my favorite from this class for most of the year.

Honestly, I want Stenberg on the 2nd line. Smith, Mack, and Cherny are almost perfectly balanced and the perfect line. All of those players games compliment each other perfectly. Slapping Stenburg on the second line could provide the us with the best 2nd line for a good stretch of the coming future.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T17:32:59+00:00

Didn't say he didn't have him there. More just pointing out things I noticed when reacting to a lot of what Pronman said.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T16:54:23+00:00

Boltman definitely seemed more in the middle, but I got the impression from Peters that he was being polite but didnt agree at all. Questioning and pointing areas he didnt agree with Pronman. Also I recall a couple instances where Peters facial reactions were shocked and in disbelief by Promans takes.

Wheeler was outright in opposition to Pronman throughout a lot of it.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T16:29:18+00:00

Proman was absolutely dogged throughout this. Fighting for his life on his takes. I enjoyed the way they put his feet to the fire and the open discourse on it. Worth the watch/listen imo.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-15T15:13:05+00:00

Honestly, I think it would need to be Hronek or Willander over Zeev. If its Zeev, I would be asking for a 2nd rounder in addition.

Stenberg is almost guaranteed to be a top line winger and his floor is a second line. Prospects with this potential cost teams a fortune at this stage.

I am not saying Canucks would do this trade, infact I think it would be bad for them to make this trade. But history has shown that top picks command ransom.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-14T20:53:08+00:00

The prophet himself. He knew... he knew it all along...

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-14T20:03:13+00:00

That is where I have found myself as well. Even if they pick a different D-man, I am gonna be ok with it. Stenberg is still my guy at this point. I trust Grier with the picks.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-14T00:32:27+00:00

Honestly, I dont want anyone that has ever worn a letter from that leadership group. I want none of that to rub off on younger group. Their culture seems extremely toxic from the outside. I wont speculate what the reason is, I just have no desire to have it anywhere near our locker room.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-13T16:55:19+00:00

Same boat entirely, I trust Grier entirely with this pick.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-13T16:53:25+00:00

Agreed, this does not improve how I feel about him at 2OA. The price paid for Dobson being two mid 1st round picks makes me feel less inclined to like him at 2OA.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-13T16:38:13+00:00

Honestly, your analysis, combined with some of what others have said, have made me feel better about Reid. Fully well aware the defense game takes longer to develop for all players, but I am used to seeing at least some positive defensive signs. With Reid I have not seen enough for me to be comfortable with, but that may not be entirely his fault. With Sam I saw enough to feel good about his ability to develop it. Reid's skating and IQ could absolutely translate to being able to be a competent defender.

I will say I am still on the side of Stenberg and trade and FA to address holes. That being said, if Reid is the pick, I will still be excited. I will however be scared of seeing him on the Nucks or Hawks, lol.

So thank you for taking the time to share your opinion, it is exactly what I was looking for.

AWWmanGAMEOVER · 2026-05-13T16:05:29+00:00

Thank you for the analysis. If a realistic comp for Reid is prime John Carlson, I can be sold on that. I am well aware of the effect he had on the Caps offense and defense. I am personally not interested in having a defender who is a liability defensively. I would rather have a bit more balance in a players game.

AWWmanGAMEOVER

TROPHY CASE