This is the first post in a series looking at the depth in the organization, by position, and considering whether the Sharks should retain the player.
Starting with the Goalies.
Approximate depth chart:
Josef Korenar (RFA)
Martin Jones
Alexei Melnichuk (ELS)
Magnus Chrona (college ’23)
Zachary Emond (ELS)
Zach Sawchenko (ELS)
Mike Robinson (unsigned; ’21 grad)
I expect Jones to be exposed as part of the expansion draft (and really doubt Seattle picks him). I don’t expect him to be back with the team next season, even as a backup; I expect the organization to buy him out.
Magnus Chrona (whose name translates to “Big Time”) may be the next big goalie in the organization. He could get signed this summer, but more than likely will return to the University of Denver as a junior.
So, the Sharks may be looking for a #1 for 1-2 seasons until Chrona is available. Korenar may be the back up. And that probably means that Robinson will become a UFA (needs to be signed by August 15).
Korenar has the most NHL experience, 10 games. Melnichuk has 3 games. (Emond and Sawchenko have 0 NHL games between them.) I’m expecting Korenar and Melnichuk to battle it out for NHL duties, while the other will bounce between NHL and AHL. Emond and Sawchenko will battle for AHL back up and/or bounce down to the ECHL.
The battle will intensify if there’s a NHL summer development camp this year (I haven’t seen any announcement; but usually only the last day’s scrimmage is “open”; with pandemic lingers, they may not have any public interaction). And definitely at (rookie) camp in September.
Might the Sharks draft a goalie prospect? Maybe. Once they have a new #1, they might pursue a college-bound guy to give him more time to develop.
If the Sharks don’t pursue a UFA goalie as #1, they might have to trade a prospect as part of the package.
It won’t be a dull summer, regardless.