Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2023 15:13:00 GMT -6
18 games into the 2023-24 PFHL season and the reigning President's Trophy winners are sitting in the 2nd wildcard spot (11-5-2 record) in the Western Conference. And while only 6 points separate them and the 1st place Vegas Golden Knights, no one in the Sharks dressing room is happy with the start to their season.
"I think everyone in this room believes we're better than what we've shown so far this season. We're a cup contender but we sure as hell aren't playing like one right now." -Coach Joel Quenneville
Other than a 5 game win streak, the Sharks have struggled to find consistency to their game. About 15 games into the season GM Wills had decided he had seen enough and starting testing the trade market. Rumours have swirled that no one on the team is safe, including captain and superstar Connor McDavid. But he is not the first player to go, Timo Meier was sent packing along with farm defenceman Santeri Hatakka for Tyler Seguin and a 2025 6th round pick.
"We wish Meier and Hatakka all the best in Ottawa but to be completely transparent this is a deal we needed to make. The Hintz experiment at Centre hasn't gone as well as we had hoped so we needed to address our need for an elite 2C. While losing Meier is tough we are getting a skilled veteran Centre in Seguin and we will begin negotiations to keep him here long term. Re uniting Hintz and McDavid is a big part of this trade, I know both of those guys are very excited to be working together 5 on 5 once again." -GM Wills.
We asked McDavid what he thought of the trade, playing with Hintz again, and the rumours that he himself may be on the block.
"I try not to listen to all of that noise, I'm very happy here in San Jose and want to bring this franchise a cup. This trade is definitely a step in the right direction for that, Timo is going to be missed but Segsy is going to bring a lot of swagger and skill to our lineup. As far as lineup changes go I sure as hell hope I'm playing with Hintz again, we gelled together extremely well last season and hopefully we can find that spark again." -Connor McDavid.
It will be interesting to see if this trade is the boost that this team needs right now. The Sharks might not be done trade wise, Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Sharks are still looking to upgrade their defence but are struggling to find a trading partner. We will see if anything comes of this!
Projected Lines
Hintz(83) – McDavid ‘C’(91) – Niederreiter(78)
Toffoli(80) – Seguin(82) – Kreider(79)
Sturm(72) – Jenner ‘A’(73) – Perron(77)
Robinson(69) – Glendening(67) – Cousins(69)
Pederson(66)
Pietrangelo ‘A’(84) – Dillon(74)
Klefbom(81) – Ekholm(77)
Schenn(71) -Dekeyser(69)
Benn(63)
Ned(84)
Husso(74)
"I think everyone in this room believes we're better than what we've shown so far this season. We're a cup contender but we sure as hell aren't playing like one right now." -Coach Joel Quenneville
Other than a 5 game win streak, the Sharks have struggled to find consistency to their game. About 15 games into the season GM Wills had decided he had seen enough and starting testing the trade market. Rumours have swirled that no one on the team is safe, including captain and superstar Connor McDavid. But he is not the first player to go, Timo Meier was sent packing along with farm defenceman Santeri Hatakka for Tyler Seguin and a 2025 6th round pick.
"We wish Meier and Hatakka all the best in Ottawa but to be completely transparent this is a deal we needed to make. The Hintz experiment at Centre hasn't gone as well as we had hoped so we needed to address our need for an elite 2C. While losing Meier is tough we are getting a skilled veteran Centre in Seguin and we will begin negotiations to keep him here long term. Re uniting Hintz and McDavid is a big part of this trade, I know both of those guys are very excited to be working together 5 on 5 once again." -GM Wills.
We asked McDavid what he thought of the trade, playing with Hintz again, and the rumours that he himself may be on the block.
"I try not to listen to all of that noise, I'm very happy here in San Jose and want to bring this franchise a cup. This trade is definitely a step in the right direction for that, Timo is going to be missed but Segsy is going to bring a lot of swagger and skill to our lineup. As far as lineup changes go I sure as hell hope I'm playing with Hintz again, we gelled together extremely well last season and hopefully we can find that spark again." -Connor McDavid.
It will be interesting to see if this trade is the boost that this team needs right now. The Sharks might not be done trade wise, Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Sharks are still looking to upgrade their defence but are struggling to find a trading partner. We will see if anything comes of this!
Projected Lines
Hintz(83) – McDavid ‘C’(91) – Niederreiter(78)
Toffoli(80) – Seguin(82) – Kreider(79)
Sturm(72) – Jenner ‘A’(73) – Perron(77)
Robinson(69) – Glendening(67) – Cousins(69)
Pederson(66)
Pietrangelo ‘A’(84) – Dillon(74)
Klefbom(81) – Ekholm(77)
Schenn(71) -Dekeyser(69)
Benn(63)
Ned(84)
Husso(74)