NOLLY'S NOTES - BLOG (VOL. 4, ED. 6)
Jul 30, 2024Hey Cuda Country,
Can you believe we’re already in the final days of July? Where did the summer go?
After the chaos of the lottery, playoffs, draft, and free agency, the summer waters have finally calmed down. However, the Sharks made some news last week by re-signing blueliner Henry Thrun and forward Thomas Bordeleau.
Bordeleau’s deal is a one-year, two-way contract, meaning he is waiver-exempt and could play with the Barracuda. Despite making the Sharks out of training camp last year, Bords spent the first half of the season in the AHL. Once he returned, he made the most of his opportunity. I hope he can carry that momentum into camp and build on it.
In his press conference, Bordeleau mentioned wanting to return to his playmaking ways. Before turning pro, he was more of a distributor and playmaker, but he’s been more of a goal scorer since. A blend of both, along with a better understanding of his role away from the puck, will give him a great chance to stick around with the Sharks. While he may not be the biggest player, his offensive instincts and playmaking are undeniable. I believe if he’s to be the Sharks it would need to be in a top-six and power-play role, but he’ll have to earn it. Bords is a great guy, and I’m rooting for him to succeed this year.
August is the last month without hockey. The 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff will be in Los Angeles this September. While dates and details are yet to be released, they are expected to be announced in August. The Rookie Faceoff is always the unofficial start to a new hockey season. It will be an exciting chance to see prospects like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Sam Dickinson facing off against other teams while wearing Teal. Training camp will sort things out, but the Sharks and Barracuda seem deeper and more talented than they were a year ago. Mike Grier and Joe Will have built solid depth around their prospects at both levels. Despite the departures of players like Nathan Todd, Cole Cassels, Oskar Lindblom, and Nikolai Knyzhov, the Barracuda should be more competitive with the additions of Andrew Poturalski, Jimmy Schuldt, and Lucas Carlsson.
For the Barracuda, the biggest question is at the goalie position. This isn’t a knock against the current roster, but it will be interesting to see who can take over the number-one job in the AHL and solidify themselves as future options for the Sharks. An improved team and defensive corps should help. Both Magnus Chrona and Georgi Romanov showed flashes last year, and it will be intriguing to see if one of them can elevate their game. They both have great chances to prove themselves. Let’s not forget about Gabriel Carriere, who signed a one-year AHL contract this summer and will have ample opportunities himself to make some noise. It's been a busy summer so I listed the key additions and departures that could play a role with the Barracuda this season.
Additions
D - Lucas Carlsson (Signed two-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
A highly productive offensive threat from the blueline, Carlsson will help run the Cuda power play and mentor the young players.
C - Andrew Poturalski (Signed two-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
A two-time AHL scoring champion and two-time Calder Cup champion, Poturalski is one of the best centers in the AHL.
D - Jimmy Schuldt (Signed one-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
Considered one of the best shutdown defensemen in the AHL, Schuldt helped the Coachella Valley Firebirds reach the Calder Cup Finals in both of the last two seasons.
C/W - Thomas Bordeleau (Signed one-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
Bordeleau proved his ability last year when the Sharks called him up mid-season. Now, he needs to show he can stay in the lineup.
RW - Brandon Coe (Signed one-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
Coe has undeniable physical tools: he's big and can skate, a rare combination. This is a prove-it deal to see if he can commit to being an effective bottom-six player.
RW - Justin Bailey (Signed one-year, two-way deal with Sharks)
Bailey joined the Barracuda on a PTO last fall and worked his way to the NHL, setting career highs in almost all categories. With the influx of forwards, he'll likely see action with the Barracuda this season. He's a dynamic player at the AHL level, with size, speed, and scoring ability.
D - Ethan Frisch (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Frisch had a solid rookie season and was one of the team's best defenders. A right shot, which is highly coveted, he competes extremely hard despite not being a huge player.
RW - Anthony Vincent (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Vincent will be 27 on Aug. 12, making him a veteran by AHL standards, especially in his second season. His relentless, hard-nosed style earned him another contract. He's beloved in the locker room and is a perfect player for the bottom six.
D - Jeremie Bucheler (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Bucheler was solid in his 11 games last year. A right-shot with good size, he adapted well to the pro game in a small sample size.
C - Lucas Vanroboys (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Vanroboys was outstanding on faceoffs in college. He'll likely split time between Wichita and the Cuda, but he'll be a reliable, hard-working forward for the bottom six.
C/RW - Donavan Houle (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Houle impressed during development camp and in the small sample size at the end of last season. He moves well and has a sturdy build. Like Vanroboys, he'll likely split the season between Wichita and San Jose, but his intriguing tools could continue to open eyes.
C/RW - Luke Grainger (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Grainger is a classic undersized and overlooked player. Despite being passed over by the QMJHL and having limited NCAA offers, he helped Western Michigan become one of the nation's top programs. Quick and shifty, he averaged 1.26 points per game as a captain last year and will compete for an AHL job.
G - Gabriel Carriere (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
Carriere picked up a win in his pro debut in the Barracuda's season finale last year. Despite mixed results at Vermont, he was a bright spot. The Barracuda used three goaltenders last year, so Carriere could get a look at the AHL level, or play extensively in the ECHL with the Thunder.
D - Braden Hache (Signed one-year deal with Barracuda)
A Florida draft pick and Memorial Cup champion, Hache is intriguing. Drafted #210 overall like Jake Middleton, he might be another diamond in the rough.
RW - Collin Graf (Signed ELC with the Sharks)
Graf, one of the most sought-after NCAA free agents last season, could make the Sharks but will likely start in the AHL for some seasoning and development.
Departures
RW - Nathan Todd: Signed with HC Salavat Yulaev (KHL)
D - Nikolai Knyzhov: Unsigned
C - Cole Cassels: Signed with Avangard Omsk (KHL)
C - Kyle Rau: Unsigned
C - Jacob Peterson: Signed with Rogle BK (SHL)
LW - Oskar Lindblom: Signed with Brynas IF (SHL)
C - Tanner Kaspick: Unsigned
C - Jack Studnicka: Signed with LA Kings (NHL)
RW - Ozzy Wiesblatt: Traded to Nashville Predators (NHL)
C/LW - Bradley Marek: Signed with Iowa Wild (AHL)
C - Ryan Carpenter: Signed with San Diego Gulls (AHL)
D - Jacob MacDonald: Signed with Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
D - Roman Kinal: Signed with San Diego Gulls (AHL)
G - Eetu Makiniemi: Unsigned
LW - Connor MacEachern: Unsigned
While the Barracuda's season opener is set for Oct. 12 at Ontario, the team will open the preseason on the road on Oct. 4 in Bakersfield. The club officially announced it's two-game exhibition schedule last week.
In other news, we had our Select-A-Seat event on Saturday which included a Sharks' locker-room tour and Q&A with GM Joe Will. If you weren't able to make it, check out the interview below. If you did make it to the event, I hope you had a great time!
That will do it for this edition of Nolly's Notes. Thanks for reading and so long until next time.