San Jose Sharks 2023 Draft Recap
2023-09-12The Sharks went full scorched earth last season obtaining 4 first round picks in the draft, trading everyone with value. Yet the team still managed to make the playoffs. This year there were less pieces available to sell, which worked out pretty well since the goal was to miss the playoffs and secure a good draft position. The Sharks finished 2nd last in the league but ended up with the 4th overall pick due to lower teams winning the draft lottery. Not a bad spot to be picking at all. The team also has pick numbers 34, 67, 99 & 131. The GM didn’t check the forum to see where things were before heading out for the night and missed the 131st pick, which pushes it back 16 spots to pick number 147th.
Let’s take a look at the draft:
4th Overall:
Matvei Michkov RW 5’10” 172 lbs – SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) HK Sochi (KHL)
Hockey sense & creativity are his bread and butter, His hockey IQ may be the highest in the draft. He’s also not afraid to make the slick, flashy play. Where he can improve is his skating. It’s not terrible, but he needs to work with a skating coach to improve his acceleration and stride. His shot, while he’s quick to get it off, could use some work as well but that could come with time as he fills out. He was getting no playing time with SKA last year, suiting up in only 3 games with the pro club and spending time in the VHL. This was not an ideal situation for the youngster but a loan to HK Sochi and a coach willing to give him meaningful minutes led to Michkov posting 9 goals and 20 points over a 27 game stretch. This year after only suiting up in one game as the 4th line RW, he’s been loaned back to Sochi.
Eliteprospects Scouting Report:
Skating: 5 / Shooting: 7 / Passing: 7 / Puck Handling: 7 / Hockey Sense: 8 / Physical: 5.5
NHL Comparison: Brad Marchand / Nikita Kucherov
GM Notes: I had Michkov as the 2nd rated player on my board heading into the draft. I’m not too concerned with when he’ll make his way to North America as the Sharks are right in the middle of a rebuild.
34th Overall:
Trey Augustine G 6’1” 179 lbs – USNTDP (NTDP)
Although not the highest goalie selected on draft day in the NHL, Augustine still has sky high potential. He’s technically sound in net and his bread and butter is his post to post movements. He looked really good in the rookie camp for Detroit after the draft, but I’m not sure if he’ll be attending this years rookie tournament in Traverse City as I haven’t seen rosters released. He’ll need to work on his puck tracking and his glove side as those appear to be weak spots in his game. He’s committed to Michigan State University where he’ll play next season.
Eliteprospects Scouting Report:
Skating: 7 / Transitions: 6 / Hands: 5.5 / Tracking: 4 / Post: 7.5 / Depth: 5.5
NHL Comparison: Carter Hart
GM Notes: My plan on draft day was to take someone else here at 34th, but I also thought Augustine would be gone by this pick. So I changed directions and took the talented goalie in this spot.
67th Overall:
Martin Misiak C/RW 6’2” 201 lbs – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
A mid-season move to North America didn’t have a big effect on his offensive numbers. He made the move due to being stuck in a bottom 6 role with his Slovakian team where he was only getting 12 minutes a game tops. He managed to snag a 2nd line role in Youngstown and really stepped up his game in the playoffs, posting 10 points in 9 games. He’ll be off to the OHL this season where he should get a big role with the Erie Otters where his high motor and punishing checks will be on full display.
Eliteprospects Scouting Report:
Skating 5 / Shooting: 5 / Passing: 4 / Puck Handling: 5 / Hockey Sense: 4 / Physical: 6
NHL Comparison: Radek Faksa
GM Notes: We’re pretty excited to add the young power forward here in round 3. Erie is a great spot to develop the offensive side of his game, which is where he needs the most work.
99th Overall:
Cameron (Cam) Allen RHD 6’0” 194 lbs – Guelph Storm (OHL)
The once highly touted defender slipped way back last season, starting the year as a 1st round talent and ending it just hoping to get picked at all. His offensive numbers took a hit last season after posting a great 37 points in his rookie year. Not only did his offense take a hit, his defending didn’t improve at all from where it was his rookie year. The tools are there though for Allen to post big numbers, he skates well, his transitions are good, and his point shot is elite. There were flashes of that last year, but he’ll need to showcase those from start to finish this year and show some consistency.
Eliteprospects Scouting Report:
Skating: 5.5 / Shooting: 5 / Passing: 5 / Puck Handling: 5.5 / Hockey Sense: 5 / Physical: 5
NHL Comparison: Matt Roy
GM Notes: He showed flashes of why he was a highly touted prospect late in the season last year. Here’s hoping he can step up his game as the Storm will be relying on him a little heavier this season to provide offense from the backend.
131st Overall (Moved back to 147th Overall):
Ethan Hay C 6’1” 190 lbs – Flint Firebirds (OHL)
Hay is a good defensive center but took time to come around last season. When his defensive game started to come around, so did the offense. He’s a north/south type player without a lot of pizzazz. He makes all the little plays that coaches like to see and is at his best when defending the rush. There are top 6 roles open for him next season, so you’d ideally like to see him better utilize teammates and play with a little more creativity with the puck. If he can carry over his production from the playoffs last season, he should be a good pick-up.
Eliteprospects Scouting Report:
Skating: 4.5 / Shooting: 4.5 / Passing: 4 / Puck Handling: 3.5 / Hockey Sense: 4 / Physical: 4
NHL Comparison: Tomas Nosek
GM Notes: While not the sexy pick here, Hay will need to show he can produce in a larger role to have any shot at an NHL job.
Great article and great draft! I like the incorporation of the eliteprospects scouting reports.
San Jose Sharks 2023 Draft Recap
Sharks make 5 selections
good job with the russian i even think he will be better than bedard when he comes overseas........
San Jose Sharks 2023 Draft Recap
Sharks make 5 selections