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Sharks are copying the Blackhawks’ worst idea from last season

Regardless of what the Blackhawks lack of an offseason will do for them this year, at least they didn't repeat their mistake. As for the Sharks? Well, not so much.
ByTodd Matthews|
Oct 31, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) and San Jose Sharks left winger Daniel Gushchin (75) battle for the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Oct 31, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) and San Jose Sharks left winger Daniel Gushchin (75) battle for the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

One reason general manager Kyle Davidson could've been beyond hesitant to sign a ton of free agents this offseason was that the plan faltered last year. If you remember, he inked players like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, Pat Maroon, Alec Martinez, and Laurent Brossoit to deals, and none did much for the Chicago Blackhawks.

While Teravainen and Bertuzzi could turn things around and make for a solid top six - I'm saying they will - the Hawks would've been better off giving the 'kids' more reps. So, this offseason, Davidson did the exact opposite while Sharks general manager Mike Grier decided to roll with Davidson's 2024 approach.

While we don't know what the result will look like, let's assume the Sharks have a better chance to end up in the bottom three than the Hawks. So, who all did the Sharks acquire? Well, let's just say that they didn't get anyone who'd make their team relevant.

The San Jose Sharks 2025-26 plan is doomed to fail and Blackhawks fans know it

Mike Grier acquired players like Ryan Reaves, who I honestly didn't even know was still playing. He also inked Jeff Skinner, who's a shell of himself since his 35-goal 2022-23 campaign with the Buffalo Sabres. Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy are other names Grier brought in, and they, too, won't do much. Oh, and they got Philipp Kurashev.

Out of this bunch, Skinner may be the best one, which isn't saying much unless he enjoys a career renaissance. That didn't happen last season with the Edmonton Oilers, but it wouldn't surprise me if Skinner's not one-and-done in the NHL Playoffs, since I can see the Sharks moving him.

The better plan for Grier would've been to take chances on younger players if he doesn't feel his high-end prospects are ready for the NHL. He predictably brought back guys like William Eklund, so there's hope. But wow, this looks like the very definition of an old-school expansion team.

If the Blackhawks don't sweep the Sharks in 2025-26, something's wrong

I might think otherwise, but a lot of fans don't feel the Blackhawks will do anything at all this season. Still, they need to get the best of San Jose and it should be a season sweep. Doing that alone will show growth, especially with the mixture of youngsters and cast-offs the Sharks have heading into 2025-26.

So now it begs the question: Is Grier tanking the team once again to land Gavin McKenna? Hey, imagine a team with Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, and McKenna. So, maybe there's some genius here from Mike Grier. We'll see, and the Sharks will be one scary hockey team if that became the case.

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