Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Thornton, Marleau, and Boyle I believe have one final year left, and that's it. The first two in particular have been great over a long time for the Sharks. I think with the influx of new talent -- we've got some big-time prospects coming up -- we can be like the Kings and make some big runs continuing on in the future.
Players in particular to keep watching are forwards Matt Nieto, Thomas Hertl, and Freddie Hamilton, and defenseman Konrad Abeltshauser, Matt Tennyson, and Sena Acolatse. These six have reportedly been opening eyes very wide as far as players who either will be on the roster next season, or sometime shortly after.
Abeltshauser has insane size and great skating, but the only question is if he is as talented as his numbers indicate, or did he simply benefit from other great prospects around him. I think it's somewhere in the middle, but closer to the fact that he's just a very talented player.
Nieto reportedly looked like he was a man among boys in his AHL action, apparently being one of the players that no one seemingly could catch because of his speed.
Hertl dominated his competition and reportedly made teams look helpless everywhere. It was said that the only resistance really put up against him at all was in the World Juniors, where he still did very well. Hertl has drawn comparisons to Couture when referring to his expected rise to stardom as he looks close to joining the NHL.
Speaking of Hertl we just signed him to a contract, pretty sure he will be on the team next year. First 1st rounder we have signed since Couture.