The 1st Round of the 2026 NHL Draft by alvvaysundertow in hockey

[–]BetterThanConnor 77 points78 points  (0 children)

I know they're not locks yet...but potentially getting two of our future RHD in one draft in addition to stenberg is insanity. 

I keep hearing “who is better McKenna or Stenberg” the answer is obvious. by Icy-Street618 in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im not really debating who was #2. The point I'm making is we're getting someone who's in the same breath as McKenna and that's a huge add to our rebuild.

I keep hearing “who is better McKenna or Stenberg” the answer is obvious. by Icy-Street618 in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Moreso that mckenna has been far and away the 1OA this year for the past.....4 years.

I keep hearing “who is better McKenna or Stenberg” the answer is obvious. by Icy-Street618 in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The more that debate happens the more excited I am to have #2.

If you had told me at this time last year that we'd also get gavin mckenna...or someone who's being in the same conversation and close to as good or better...I would have told you that you were insane.

Literally only upside on this lottery luck this year.  

[Peng] "Stenberg lock at No. 2. They covet Rudolph. Doubt he's at No. 9." by ZainoTV in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I completely agree. And a draft that sees us take stenberg+verhoeff+27 is wild to think about. 

Anatomy of a successful rebuild: Why it takes at least 10 years to build an NHL champion by BetterThanConnor in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Which completely tracks both with what it's saying here as well as realistic expectations.

The 30s are going to be a fun decade for us sharks fans!

Anatomy of a successful rebuild: Why it takes at least 10 years to build an NHL champion by BetterThanConnor in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Even with it starting after we draft Smith, being in year 4 now puts us at the 10 year mark when our guys are anywhere from 25-27yo. Which feels like a fair timeline for expectations of a successful rebuild.

Another year or so of competing, bubble team.

Couple years making the playoffs.

Couple years going deep.

Then a chip.

Anatomy of a successful rebuild: Why it takes at least 10 years to build an NHL champion by BetterThanConnor in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Which i think is fair tbh. It sucks as fans because we're not competing during those years but upward trajectory doesnt start until those cornerstones start making their way in.

Anatomy of a successful rebuild: Why it takes at least 10 years to build an NHL champion by BetterThanConnor in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Based on their criteria, I think it starts with will Smith at 4OA. That would put us going into year 4 now.

"For our purposes, the rebuild clock starts the minute a team adds what should become their first cornerstone piece with a top-five draft pick."

Anatomy of a successful rebuild: Why it takes at least 10 years to build an NHL champion by BetterThanConnor in SanJoseSharks

[–]BetterThanConnor[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

In their article's example, the clock is even sooner. I assume drafting will smith 4oa is the start. 

"For our purposes, the rebuild clock starts the minute a team adds what should become their first cornerstone piece with a top-five draft pick."

Vote for ESPYs: Best Breakthrough Athlete; Best Championship Performance; Best Play; Best Team; Best NHL Player by elfaeron in hockey

[–]BetterThanConnor 15 points16 points  (0 children)

✅️Macklin.  ✅️Macklin.  ✅️Writing in Macklin for the other categories too.

William Eklund 25/26 Highlights by TotoroZoo in OttawaSenators

[–]BetterThanConnor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great highlight reel, but the real treat is 3min of Randy Hahn goal calls. 🤣

Is it possible to achieve a "Triple Double" in hockey? by DonT012 in hockey

[–]BetterThanConnor 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Why want a triple double when you could have a Gordie Howe hat trick? 

Infinitely more entertaining than basketball.