SAN JOSE, Ca. – The San Jose Sharks came into the 2010 NHL Entry draft in an enviable position and the players that were drafted by San Jose are going to reap the benefits. As opposed to other NHL clubs, the Sharks knew ahead of time that drafting in the number 28 spot was a player who will not need to make an immediate impact on the NHL level. This means that, in this case, the Sharks first round pick Charlie Coyle will not be thrust into a situation where he must overachieve in order for the team to be successful in his first year with the organization. That is not to say that he won’t make the Sharks out of training camp but there will be no added pressure to come into the NHL and light the red lamp 25 times in his rookie season.
San Jose has taken a similar approach to draft picks as the Detroit Red Wings, which is to give their prospects plenty of time to develop and gain confidence so when they are called upon to contribute at the highest level of play in the world they should be ready. It is hard to argue with the consistent success the Red Wings have had.
A great deal of credit should go to Sharks GM Doug Wilson for structuring his team this way. A great example of this is the recent success Logan Couture had when he made the jump from the AHL to the NHL. Couture is a 2007 first round pick that made significant strides in his development this year and was a contributing factor on the big club’s roster this spring.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential future Sharks:
Charlie Coyle – 6’2 – 202 lbs. U.S Center/Right Wing -Shoots: Right South Shore –EJHL 1st Round – 28th Overall
Coyle has hockey genes in his family. Former NHLers Tony Amonte and Bobby Sheehan are his cousins. Sharks scout Tim Burke said that often you have young kids who are missing some pieces. Coyle is known for his power, his finesse and he thinks the game well. Some kids have the size but not the hands. Burke likes that Coyle has a little bit of everything, size, speed, hands, and he prides himself on playing at both ends of the rink.
Max Gaede – 6’2 – 187 lbs. U.S Right Wing -Shoots: Right High-Min -Woodbury H.S 3rd Round – 88th Overall
Gaede is a future project for the Sharks as he has another year of high school before he enters into his college career. His size is something that attracted scouts and his ability to make plays.
Cody Ferriero – 5’11 – 190 lbs. U.S Center -Shoots: Right Governor’s Academy 5th Round – 127th Overall
Cody Ferriero is younger brother to Ben who was part of the San Jose Worcester shuttle last year but started the season in the NHL. Ben was not expected to make the team out of training camp but he showed early on what he is made of, so you can assume that the organization expects the same pedigree from younger brother Cody. Tim Burke was surprised to see him there in the 5th round. Boston College will be home for this prospect next season that has been described as a dynamic player.
Freddie Hamilton – 6’1 – 187 lbs. Can Center -Shoots: Right Niagara Ice Dogs –OHL 5th Round – 129th Overall
Two way centerman are the first words out the scout’s mouths when Freddie Hamilton’s name is mentioned. He represented Team Canada at the end of the season and is considered a solid OHL player which is saying a lot considering that league was the pride of the first round in this year’s draft.
Isaac McLeod – 6’4 – 205 lbs. Can Defense -Shoots: Left Penticton Vees –BCHL 5th Round – 136th Overall
Every team takes chances on draft picks especially outside of the first round. This pick is the wild card for San Jose because McLeod is a late bloomer, but if the 18 year old 6’4 defenseman can continue to blossom this may be turn out to be a gem of a late choice paying off a few years down the road.
Konrad Abeltshauser – 6’5 – 190 Deu Defense -Shoots: Left Halifax Moose heads –QMJHL 6th Round – 163rd Overall
Not often do 6’5 defensemen with a long reach fall this far in the draft but that was this case with Abeltshauser. He was tough to scout due to an injury that kept him out for much of last year. His upsides are that he is a strong skater and he moves the puck well. He was overlooked by many because of his injury; he played on a bad team and is not from a country that is famous for producing NHL caliber hockey players.
Lee Moffie – 6’1 – 200 lbs. U.S Defense -Shoots: Left U. of Michigan –CCHA 7th Round -188th Overall
Moffie has been on the radar of the Sharks scouts for three years now and has continued to improve. This player was chosen so that the Sharks don’t have to battle with the rest of the NHL to sign him as a free agent after a year of college hockey.
Christopher Crane – 6’0 – 189 lbs. U.S Right Wing -Shoots: Right Green Bay Gamblers –USHL 7th Round – 200th Overall
When describing Crane, Tim Burke used words such as “hardnosed” and says that he has an “edge to him.” Those are pretty good adjectives when describing a hockey player fit for pro hockey. The Sharks moved up eight spots in the draft to get him so he definitely impressed somebody along the way.
When describing the late draft picks it is not uncommon to hear the expression “I didn’t think he would still be there that late in the draft.” That is not to say it is not a genuine statement from scouts only that other scouts didn’t see the same potential in that player.
The truth of the matter is that only thirty percent of first round draft picks go on to have multiyear careers in the NHL.
Anytime your franchise is able to develop later round draft picks to the top level you are doing something right. The scouting staff deserves a pat on the back as well as the coaches at the lower levels. San Jose has had good success developing late round draft choices. Douglas Murray who is now a top four defenseman with the Sharks was drafted in the 8th round in 1999. Ryan Clowe in the 6th of the 2001 draft, and this year’s playoff MVP for the Sharks Joe Pavelski was a 7th round pick in the 2003 draft. Both Clowe and Pavelski are go to guys with San Jose and have earned multiyear contracts.
The later round picks are names that you may not hear for years to come or at all but don’t forget them entirely. Every time a player is selected the team hopes that he will reach his full potential and contribute to the overall success on some level, whether it’s through trades to acquire a deadline player or with the big club itself.
Overall we have to give the club a B+ grade for the 2010 draft. It is tough to earn anything higher when your first picks aren’t expected to skate for the big club when the season starts. The truth of the matter is that you can’t really judge a draft class until a few years down the road.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Contact Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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