In 2016, the San Jose Sharks were coming off a thrilling postseason run that included their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they were largely outplayed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and lost in six games.

But getting to that point came with a cost, at least in terms of draft picks. To begin with, the Sharks had already traded their first-round pick the previous summer in order to acquire goaltender Martin Jones. In a summer that included goalies like Robin Lehner, Cam Talbot, Eddie Lack, Antti Niemi, and Antti Raanta all get moved, it’s safe to say that the Sharks did well in picking the right goalie. Plus, getting the better end of the Kings is always enjoyable for Sharks fans.

The Brenden Dillon-Jason Demers trade with the Dallas Stars also meant that the Sharks did not have a third-round pick in 2016 either. The Sharks had a total of just five picks in the 2016 draft, which, while it makes my job easier, isn’t good for an aging team looking to re-stock its prospect pool. With that said, let’s begin.

Dylan Gambrell

Round 2, 60th Overall

Position: Center

Handedness: R

As previously mentioned, the Sharks sent their first-round pick in 2016 to the Bruins in return for goaltender Martin Jones. Jones played a huge role in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, and continues to come up big for the Sharks in big moments. For the Sharks, it may have seemed expensive at the time, but it has played out well.

With that said, because of that trade and the Sharks losing in the Stanley Cup Finals that year, the Sharks didn’t have a pick in the 2016 draft until the 60th overall pick. The Sharks used that pick to select Dylan Gambrell of the Denver Pioneers. Gambrell was coming off a solid season, scoring 47 points in 41 games in his freshman season. Denver had also made a Frozen Four appearance that season.

Since being drafted, Gambrell continued to be a solid piece for the Pioneers. His next two seasons were pretty much the same as his freshman season. He hovered just over a point per game both seasons while continuing to play a top-six role with the Pioneers. After bowing out of the NCAA tournament this year, he signed an ELC with the Sharks and appeared in three games without registering a point.

By my math and Rob Vollman’s translation factors for a player coming out of the NCHC, Gambrell’s production in college should mean that he could produce about 38 points at the NHL level. Gambrell was largely projected as a depth forward to begin with, and there’s a lot to like about him. He’s a good skater, has some decent playmaking skills, and he plays well in both ends. Moving forward, he should be a good bottom-six center for the Sharks.

Noah Gregor

Round 4, 111th Overall

Position: Center

Handedness: Left

(Note: This pick was acquired after the Sharks traded James Sheppard to the Rangers for this pick)

Heading into the draft, Noah Gregor was seen as a second-round or third-round talent, at worst. Coming off a season where he had 73 points in 72 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors, Gregor possessed a nice combination of playmaking abilities, scoring, and skating that scouts loved. With the Sharks not having a pick in the third round, and after reaching for Gambrell in the second round, Gregor was largely off the Sharks’ radar.

Until he fell in the draft.

Whether it was because of his age (Gregor was one of the youngest players in the draft due to a birthday in late July and hadn’t even turned 18 yet) or some other reason, Gregor inexplicably fell into the Sharks’ lap with the 111th pick in the draft. Somehow, the Sharks were able to select a player that was ranked as the 77th overall prospect by Bob McKenzie in the fourth round.

And Gregor has since continued to be a good junior player after being drafted by the Sharks. Gregor spent the 2016-17 season with the Warriors and began last season with the Warriors before being traded to the Victoria Royals after 30 games. Combined between the two teams, Gregor scored 29 goals and 36 assists for 65 points in 60 games. He also added 10 more points in 10 playoff games as the Royals were eliminated in the second round.

After remaining unsigned since being drafted, Gregor finally signed his ELC with the Sharks in April, avoiding re-entering the draft. He’ll definitely need more seasoning in the AHL as he adjusts to the professional game, but Gregor still has plenty of upside moving forward and is largely regarded as one of the Sharks top prospects in their system.

Manuel Wiederer

Round 5, 150th Overall

Position: Center

Handedness: Right

Wiederer was selected in the fifth round as an older junior player (he was 20 when he was drafted), and he wasn’t a particularly dominant player at his age. He stayed in the QMJHL for another year after his draft year, where he posted 53 points in 60 games. Out of players who were under the age of 22, Wiederer was the 51st-best scorer.

The Sharks signed him to an ELC after the 2016-17 season, and he spent last season in the AHL with the Barracuda. For his first professional season in North America, Wiederer had just 16 points in 52 games as he adjusted to the pro game. Wiederer also made an appearance with the German national team at this year’s World Championships, where he was held pointless in five games.

Despite this, Wiederer is by no means a terrible prospect, but his ceiling is definitely low. Next season will be telling for the German. Wiederer is noted for his strong defensive play, which is important for a center. If he can improve his offensive game, he should be a prospect to keep an eye on in the future.

Mark Shoemaker

Round 6, 180th Overall

Position: Defense

Handedness: Right

Let’s not waste time here: Mark Shoemaker is the only player on this list who is no longer a Sharks prospect. After the Sharks let Shoemaker go unsigned this summer, Shoemaker is technically a free agent. And to be honest, there isn’t much information on him, either. His Eliteprospects page indicates that he is committed to playing hockey at Ryerson University in Canada. Which, you know, good for him, but he’s not going to be playing hockey at a high professional level anytime soon.

Joachim Blichfield

Round 7, 210th Overall

Position: Forward

Handedness: Right

Another year, another inexplicable late-round hit for Tim Burke and Doug Wilson. Much like potential teammate Noah Gregor, Blichfield was another really young player in his draft class (also not 18 when drafted). He’s been a pretty decent player at the junior level, usually scoring around a point per game, but his stats at the international level should be what excite Sharks fans. In his two appearances at the World Junior Championships, Blichfield has combined for 10 points in 11 games despite being on a heavily out-matched Danish team.

While his junior stats aren’t exactly eye-opening at first glance, when you delve further, you’ll find a really good hockey player who could be a solid player for the Sharks, a rare find in the seventh round. Out of U20 WHL players, Blichfield is just 52nd. But, an injury at the World Juniors kept him out of the lineup for 14 games. At his pace, he would have scored 72 points, which would put him in 25th. Add in the fact that he is one of the youngest players in his draft class thanks to his July birthday, and that’s a pretty solid season.

And while looking at his stats, while he doesn’t play a whole lot of minutes, he scores at a high rate, which is a good sign for the future, especially as a younger player. Blichfield signed with the Barracuda, meaning that he’ll spend next season in the AHL. He’ll need some time in the minors adjusting to the professional game against men, but he is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on for the future.

Conclusions:

After feeling a bit disappointed with the Sharks’ 2015 class and despite only having a handful of picks in 2016, it looks like the Sharks did quite well for themselves with this class. Gambrell will likely start next season with the Sharks as he likely starts on the fourth line, Gregor and Blichfield look like they could make an impact at the NHL level, and there is only one certain bust in this class (Shoemaker). But the Sharks did the best they were given, though they probably could have done better in the second round than Gambrell. This is very much a quality over quantity class, which is something you have to do when you trade picks in order to contend. Overall, a very solid class, which is something that the Sharks’ prospect pool definitely needed.

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