Speculation: 2020-2021: Sharks Roster Discussion Part 3 - It's still the Offseason

[Pavelski2112]

Funny enough, both of those contracts sucked

Martin's term was a couple years too long, but he was a solid signing. Huge part of that 2016 team

 

[Cas]

So, Craig Smith:

2019-20 - 69 GP, 18 G, 13 A, 34 PIM, 184 SOG, 13:25 ATOI, 4/3 PPG/A
2018-19 - 76 GP, 21 G, 17 A, 20 PIM, 205 SOG, 15:08 ATOI, 4/4 PPG/A
2017-18 - 79 GP, 25 G, 26 A, 24 PIM, 229 SOG, 15:23 ATOI, 9/5 PPG/A

Smith was 11th in even-strength icetime and seventh in power-play icetime for Nashville last year. His most common linemates were Nick Bonino and Rocco Grimaldi, with their combined icetime primarily functioning as Nashville's third line. Smith does not kill penalties or take many faceoffs.

His minutes have declined over the last three seasons - is it a function of Nashville getting better and pushing Smith down the depth chart, or has he somehow declined?

Evolving Hockey xGAR

2019-20 - +5.8 xEVO, +1.5 xEVD, -1.3 xPPO
2018-19 -
+1.7 xEVO, -0.1 xEVD, -1.7 xPPO
2017-18 - +0.7 xEVO, +1.7 xEVD, +1.9 xPPO

He's good offensively and defensively at even strength, but his last two years on the power play have been poor

HockeyViz

2019-20 - even strength 3.41 xGF/60 (+33%), 2.56 xGA/60 (+0%), power play 8.56 xGF/60 (+20%)
2018-19 - even strength 2.63 xGF/60 (+1%), 2.41 xGA/60 (-7%), power play 6.48 xGF/60 (-8%)
2017-18 - even strength 3.31 xGF/6- (+32%), 2.37 xGA/60 (-6%), power play 7.62 xGF/60 (+3%)

Most of his power play shots in the last three seasons came in the slot.

Corey Sznadjer

2019-20 - 62.5% carry-in percentage, 15.05 zone entries/60, 17.2% entry w/ pass
2018-19 - 58.1% carry-in percentage, 16.99 zone entries/60, 17.1% entry w/ pass
2017-18 - 49.7% carry-in percentage, 21.08 zone entries/60, 16.3% entry w/ pass

Average carry-in percentage is around 50%, average zone entries/60 around 19, average entry w/ pass around 17%

Smith is more a shooter than a passer, hovering around average for primary assists/60 but well above average shots/60. Not a lot of high danger passes, or point shot setups. Very good at entering the offensive zone.

Defensively, lots of defensive zone exits but below-average defensive zone exits with possession. Previous two years he had lots of failed zone exits, but improved significantly for 19-20. However, his forechecking also went from above average to slightly below average over the same time frame.

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To summarize what data I've gathered, Craig Smith is very good at zone entries, is more a shooter than a passer, and is reasonably capable defensively but does not kill penalties. He seems to either have declined or been pushed down Nashville's depth chart - I couldn't say which or why. I don't know how good he is as a skater, and I don't know how good his shot is beyond that it appears to produce good results on the scoresheet - hopefully someone with more hockey knowledge can speak to those traits. He's not an elite player and probably is not a top 6 forward on a very good team, but if he comes reasonably cheap, he would probably fit well with this team and should be considered a strong target (particularly if Dadonov and Toffoli are expected to be out of the Sharks' budget).

 

[themelkman]

Martin and Ward along with Donskoi were exactly what that version of the team needed. Maybe Donato and whoever we sign or trade for can be the equivalent

 

[KirbyDots]

Funny enough, both of those contracts sucked

Martin's was fine at the time. Boedker's sucked. UFA day is stupid season, teams over pay and make bad decisions. The problem is that if you don't take advantage of it's more likely that you'll need to trade away draft picks and prospects.

 

[Mafoofoo]

WTF Kurz?!?

View attachment 371433

Heresy.

Kurz needs to f*** off and cover a team he doesn’t actively root against

 

[KirbyDots]

I consider this a declaration of war.

Kurz needs to f*** off and cover a team he doesn’t actively root against

Dude has acted like he hates the Sharks since day one. Seems like he resents that he has to cover us and not the Flyers.

 

[Friday]

Heresy.

Kurz needs to f*** off and cover a team he doesn’t actively root against

I started a twitter fist fight by commenting on that one haha something like "Guess you say stupid sh** just for more engagement" checked twitter a couple hours later and he's literally fighting people tweet for tweet in that thread. That guy is insufferable sometimes

 

[OrrNumber4]

UFA day is the day where you overpay to get what you need...but it should be OK because you've struck bargains in building the rest of your roster.

Take the Martin and Ward contracts. Both bad contracts, but both you would do again.

 

[themelkman]

UFA day is the day where you overpay to get what you need...but it should be OK because you've struck bargains in building the rest of your roster.

Take the Martin and Ward contracts. Both bad contracts, but both you would do again.

Could someone like Soderberg be our Ward? Old guy who still has game but you sign knowing he wont play the whole deal?