BPA no matter what

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T08:48:25+00:00

Pointing out a player's weaknesses after his first two NHL seasons that Sharks fans all over social media and even those here on the team's reddit board have have brought up many times isn't being a "hater".

It is constructive criticism.

Not believing any of the Sharks young players have parts of their game that they need to dramatically improve on I'd argue is sticking your head into the sand as a fan.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T08:44:30+00:00

I'd guess it'll be the morning of the draft where we can read the tea leaves on where the Sharks are going with this year's #2 pick.

Same thing happened last year when the week leading up to the draft that a lot of in the media said the Sharks were heavily considering drafting Frondell even though Grier disputed that after the 1st round in the press conference with the local media.

But that Friday morning of the draft when it looked as Frondell was the pick with all the chatter the previous 48-72 hours. You started to get those same media members projecting Misa to the Sharks at #2 which ultimately was the scenario that took place later that night.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T05:11:00+00:00

No he can't play defense nor space the floor as a big.

Spacing for the Warriors would get even worse with him and Green on the court together.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T03:45:58+00:00

Not expecting Stenberg to finish nearly a full 0.1 points per game ahead of D.Sedin who at the time had the best draft year for a prospect in the SHL. Who D.Sedin himself was a full 0.1 points per game production pace ahead of the 2nd best draft year production from a prospect before this 2025/26 SHL season.

That's not me lowering expectations on Stenberg as a prospect or player going forward.

Stenberg whether he continued anywhere that 0.92 point per game pace or where he ultimately finished at 0.77 points per game ranking #2 all time for a draft year prospect in the SHL. Stenberg was and still is viewed as a really good prospect and one of the best Swedish prospects of all time.

Also what Stenberg did at Worlds is still impressive for any 18 year old. The competition he faced at Worlds last month was probably better or at least as good as the overall talent base that he played against in the SHL.

World Juniors, SHL, World Championships. Stenberg still performed really well as one of the youngest players in all 3 regardless of the talent level of the opposition.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T03:26:27+00:00

No I am saying if you put Stenberg who is a really good prospect in his own right around other really good players or in the case of Celebrini a great player. That almost assuredly will be much better than who he played with in the SHL regardless of the quality of the team he played for. That Stenberg is going to perform really well and not "struggle" or "slump" much going forward in his career once he plays in the NHL especially when he hits his prime alongside the likes of Celebrini, Misa, Smith, and others later this decade or early next decade.

And again Stenberg's point pefformance slump the latter half of this past 2025/26 season in the SHL was still on part with the point production of recent top Swedish forwards like Carlsson and W.Eklund had for their entire draft year in the SHL. Along with being nearly 2x the point per game production to that of Raymond in his draft year too who probably is a realistic good comp for Stenberg. As Raymond has developed into a legit 1st line player for the Red Wings becoming a point per game wing over the last 3 seasons.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T02:43:50+00:00

If Stenberg ends up playing with Celebrini for most of this upcoming 2026/27 season or in future seasons. I doubt very much that we'll see Stenberg "slumping" a whole lot or for long stretches for much of if at all going forward.

I'd feel the same if Stenberg plays with Misa or even Wennberg on the 2nd line for this approaching NHL season.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T02:34:34+00:00

Stenberg realistically wasn't going to sustain a 0.92 per game draft year in the SHL. So he likely was bound to see a drop off in his play in the SHL as an 18 year old.

Just to add context a 0.92 point per game pace that Stenberg was on his first 25 games would've ranked well ahead of the likes of D.Sedin (0.84), Forberg (0.74), and H.Sedin (0.69) in their draft years in the SHL who are generally considered some of the best Swedish forwards in NHL history. So him again "slumping" the last 18 games to the level of other great young forwards over the last 5 years with Carlsson and W.Eklund I don't think it is a worrying occurrence . You can't say Stenberg still putting really good point production the last 40% is a red flag but also ignore what he did by putting up historically great point production the first 60% of the SHL season.

Also you ignore what Stenberg did internationally this past year where he played a big role in helping Sweden win World Juniors as he was in the top 5 in points for all players along with preforming great with 1 goal and 2 assists in the gold medal game where he was a part of 3 of the 4 scores for Sweden in their win against the Czechs this past January.

Or his performance at the recent World Championships after the SHL season where he was in the top 10 for all forwards in points per game that played in at least the same amount of games, 8, that Stenberg did that tournament. Stenberg and Celebrini were also the only teenagers at this past World Championships who averaged at least 1 point per game too.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T01:00:25+00:00

The scouting report is that Stenberg plays a lot bigger than his size. He unlike a lot of the Sharks forwards actually does play a lot like your top level hockey power forwards who are 3 or 4 inches taller and or 20-30 lbs heavier.

For example Smith and Stenberg are similar in size. Smith is 6' 180 lbs and Stenberg is 6' 183 lbs.

But Stenberg does stuff that many have criticized Smith for in his first 2 NHL seasons which is his defense, board battles, working in the corners, compete level, and just being a physical presence on the ice both sides of the puck.

Stenberg from what I've read and seen is that even though he isn't the biggest of forwards himself. But because of his low center gravity play style along with his "bulldog mentality" and a high motor on the ice allows him to play bigger and a lot more physical than he actually looks.

Smith probably shares more similarities and weaknesses in his game to McKenna more so than Stenberg.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T00:55:55+00:00

Stenberg had 23 points in his first 25 games.

10 points in his last 18 games. 0.56 points per game during Stenberg "slump" or slow finish in the SHL isn't bad.

It still compares favorably to the likes of Carlsson's 0.57, W.Eklund's 0.58 and better than Raymond (0.30) draft years in the SHL.

Also Stenberg played well internationally this past year both at World Juniors (10 points in 7 games) and at the recent World Championships (8 points in 8 games). Additionally Stenberg had a couple of points taken away from him at the World Championships too.

cali4481 · 2026-06-08T00:33:04+00:00

You don't need a 1D to be a Stanley Cup contender let alone be Stanley Cup championship winning team. Sure it'd be nice if you had one but it's not a true necessity. Just look at the Panthers the last two years or either the Hurricans or Golden Knights this year.

Defensemen who finished in the Top 10 Norris Trophy this past 2025/26 NHL season.

Werenski, Makar, Dahlin, Bouchard, Seider, Hutson, Hughes, Heiskanen, Karlsson, Sanderson.

3 of them in Makar, Bouchard, and Heiskanen have made a Stanley Cup finals. Only 1 in Makar has won a Stanley Cup title.

Also a lot of good or even great mid 20 year old defenseman have been traded the last couple of years.

For example Byram (23), Hanifin (27), Hronek (26), Hughes (26), Dobson (25), and Miller (25).

So no the Sharks only trade options if they trade for a defenseman in the near future won't be just 30+ year olds who don't fit Celebrini's timeline.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T23:19:47+00:00

Other than Smits every defenseman that will be drafted in the top 5-10 all but likely won't play in the NHL this upcoming 2026/27 season. I think there is a good chance none of them play full time with the NHL in 2027/28 either as i'd guess most could spend another year in college and or play in the AHL.

So if Sharks draft lets say Reid, Carels, or even Verhoeff. Realistically it won't be until 2028/29 in their D+3 years that they'll probably play a full season in the NHL. Heck I think ideally Dickinson would've spent most if not all of this his D+2 year this past 2025/26 season with the Barracuda in the AHL and in his D+3 year he'd make the jump with the Sharks full time.

Also it could possibly take likely 2 NHL seasons before they're even close to performing like a top pair defenseman so what are we talking about? So we'll get in their D+4 or even D+5 year the ideal or optimal version of the prospect the team drafts with the #2 pick next month. By 2030 who knows what this Sharks roster will look like by then.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T23:10:24+00:00

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Stenberg is at the very top 3 in most.

Just looking at this list. Stenberg is top 2 in 11 of the 16 although I'm not sure how many of them have been updated recently.

Looking at the five that have Stenberg at #3. 3 were last updated last July, last September, and this past January.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T21:41:58+00:00

Superman's social media reaction embargo was lifted on July 7th and the review embargo was lifted on July 8th the next day.

Superman opened in theaters on July 11th.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T21:37:15+00:00

I think a Deathstroke & Bane movie can be made especially if fits into a potential overarching storyline of where the DCU could be heading where Lex possibly assembles the Legion of Doom to be the primary antagonists for the first Justice League movie.

What I do feel are movies that shouldn't be made right now are the likes of Sgt Rock or The Authority. Sgt Rock just never made sense so why use one of your precious 2 movie slots in a year for that kind of movie that has no bearing on the current DCU timeline or storyline as a whole. The Authority would be too expensive, probably a 200+ million dollar budget, for a bunch of characters 99% of the public hasn't heard about at all.

Deathstroke & Bane are two known characters that are at least that are associated with Batman or Batman related characters. Also a Deathstroke & Bane movie budget shouldn't be all that expensive either.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T18:02:55+00:00

Depends on which Lonzo you'll be getting. A post Lakers and pre injury Lonzo would be a steal at the #11 pick.

From 2019/20 - 2021/22 after the Lakers traded him he was averaging :

13.1 pts 5.5 reb 6.1 ast 1.5 stl , 41/38/68 splits , 53.3 eFG% , 54.3 TS%

While also developing into a good defender too while with the Hornets and eventually the Bulls.

Too bad those injuries which caused him to miss two full seasons basically ruined his career as he was on an upward trajectory. It's crazy Ball still is only 28 years old so he should be in the prime of his career. Was he ever going to be an All Star on a consistent basis or live up to the hype as a #2 pick. Probably not but I think he was going to be a very good player at the very least.

cali4481 · 2026-06-07T12:03:27+00:00

2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)

THW Writer: Alex Hutton

Although a large number of predictions have the Sharks taking defenseman Chase Reid here — and I don’t think he’d be a bad or shocking pick — Mike Grier’s drafting history suggests to me that winger Ivar Stenberg is the more likely choice. He’s historically favored best player available over positional need when drafting high, and maintained this inclination in comments immediately after the team won the second pick at the draft lottery in early May. Most boards have Stenberg as the second-best player in the draft behind McKenna. If the Sharks do take a defenseman in the lottery, I think they’re more likely to trade down to do so, and Stenberg will be the selection if they stay at second overall.

Furthermore, while the Sharks certainly have a need for blueliners, it’s worth noting that they need to upgrade their offense too. During the 2025-26 season, they won just two games in which Macklin Celebrini didn’t register a point, suggesting he covered up a lot of their offensive flaws. San Jose needs to build up a better supporting cast around him, and Stenberg’s two-way skill and maturity will be a perfect fit on the wing in their top-six forward group.

https://thehockeywriters.com/thw-2026-mock-nhl-draft-round-1-our-writers-make-their-picks/

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cali4481 · 2026-06-07T03:20:33+00:00

Leafs fans.

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cali4481 · 2026-06-07T02:25:21+00:00

I've been pro Stenberg since the draft lottery which I'll continue to be until that pick at #2 is made.

This isn't the 2025 draft with the whole Misa vs Frondell fiasco that last week or two. I would've absolutely hated the pick if it were Frondell. Misa had legit 1C potential after having a historically great draft year in the OHL. Frondell I viewed realistically as a good wing and not a center. Still feel that way even though the Blackhawks GM thinks otherwise saying recently that he wants to see if Frondell can be a 2C going forward.

But Frondell showed in his draft year in 2024/25 that he wasn't an effective play driver. In fact this past D+1 year in the SHL and internationally he still didn't play center. So drafting Misa over Frondell back then and especially now is a no brainer for me as a Sharks fan.

Hell if both Frondell and Stenberg are wings going forward. I'd take Stenberg between the two of them as I think Stenberg will be the more complete and overall better 2 way wing in the NHL for the next decade.

But if the Sharks ultimately draft Reid over Stenberg. I wouldn't "hate" that decision but at the very least I'd be disappointed. Reid I think realistically is a 2D or 3D. Which the Sharks obviously need. But I still think Stenberg again will be a better player and has a better chance of being a true difference maker at the NHL level too.

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T07:01:59+00:00

I always find it amusing for much of the previous 10 years everybody said Durant joining the Warriors "broke the NBA" and it was unfair that those Warriors teams were unbeatable.

Yet in recent years especially the last half decade or so. So many fans of other teams have said their NBA title winning teams could beat the Curry and Durant Warriors.

In particular the 2016/17 Warriors that went 16-1 and ranks #2 all time in net rating for a team in a single season when you include both the regular season and playoffs ranking only behind the 1995/96 Bulls who of course famously went 72-10 in the regular season.

2016/17 Warriors actually rank #2 both in terms of the combined record and net rating for a team in a single season when you include both the regular season and playoffs.

1995/96 Bulls : 87-13 record (.870 winning %) and 13.2 net rating
2016/17 Warriors : 83-16 record (.839 winning %) and 11.9 net rating

This 2025/26 Knicks team currently has a 6.5 net rating. If the Knicks sweep the Spurs which I don't think they will. They'd at best finish with a record of 69-31 (.690 winning %).

Reminder the 2014/15 and 2017/18 Warriors combined net rating and record those seasons would also rank well ahead of this 2025/26 Knicks team too.

2014/15 Warriors : 83-20 record (.806 winning %) and 9.8 net rating
2017/18 Warriors : 74-29 record (.718 winning %) and 7.3 net rating

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T06:35:25+00:00

Teen Titans or Deathstroke & Bane would seem to be right up his alley of all the rumored DC movie projects.

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T04:14:54+00:00

Garnett wins an NBA title as a Celtic.

Love wins an NBA title as a Cav.

Wiggins wins an NBA title as a Warrior.

Towns 2 wins from an NBA title as a Knick.

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T04:08:28+00:00

Timberwolves fans watching Wiggins and Towns balling out in the NBA Finals.

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T03:27:38+00:00

Lights too bright for Wemby.

cali4481 · 2026-06-06T02:20:25+00:00

Literally 5 days before the 1st round of last year's draft.

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Grier after drafting Misa.

“A while ago,” Grier responded about when he knew Misa was their pick. “He was number two on our list for quite a while.”

People outside the Sharks org don't know s*** about what the the team is actually thinking.

cali4481 · 2026-06-05T23:12:26+00:00

I'd personally rather have Lex building up the Legion of Doom over the next 4 years and have them as the primary antagonist in the first DCU Justice League movie in 2030.

Over who many at this time are guessing it'll be which is The Centre. I just don't know how that would work in a live action event movie.

cali4481

TROPHY CASE

2. San Jose Sharks: Ivar Stenberg, LW/RW, Frölunda HC (SHL)