Training Camp Notebook: Spots on D Filled?

Some big cuts in the preseason roster are due this week, i'm not expecting the final cuts until the last minute. From what i've seen
in attending camp and comments from the Sharks - several rookies
are makeing a positive impression. Baring injury / trades here's
my picks to make it...

D (7) - McLaren, Rat, Stuart, Hannan, Fahey, Davison and Ehrhoff. I look for the latter two to rotate in and out of the 6th spot depending on their play and the opponent at the other end. Ehrhoff has looked impressive with his speed and offensive play. Davison just looks to be the stronger physical player and more likely to win those 1on1 battles. He proved this with his play late last season, both Wilsons have made positve comments about him. They are a good complement at the 6 and 7 spots to start the season. Look for Davison to play against the more physical and skilled teams, and Ehrhoff to play and rest until one emerges as the regular #6

The F and G are harder to determine at this point...

I don't know. Preissing could beat out Davison. He's aggressive on the puck, but still mindful of his defensive responsibilities.

Look for Davison to play against the more physical and skilled teams, and Ehrhoff to play and rest until one emerges as the regular #6

I think this would be an incredibly inane thing to do for Ehrhoff. Unless he has no more potential to develop, which is highly unlikely given his age, platooning him with another defenseman and giving him 3rd-pairing minuntes when he does get the chance to play is about as solid a guarantee of retarding his development as anything else.

If he's not going to play regularly and get a regular shift, he is much better off in Cleveland.

-Khel

Some players can develop well in a platoon situation. It builds confidence with controled ice time and gets them used to the
NHL game at all levels w/o the pressure of 82 games which, it's
self, is a big adjustment for many players. Make no mistake when he plays he should get regular minutes for a number 5/6D as well as
time on the PP which could total 20 minutes +- a game. Remember,
he's played between 48-58 regular season games in a less physical leauge. The same number of NHL games would give him plenty of time to develop w/o the stress of regular duty. He might even be able add on some muscle weight which I think he needs for sure. FYI - Hannan and Fahey are recent examples of D rookies that played beteen 30 - 50 games their first NHL season w/o their development being effected. Rat did it and tunred out ok.

FYI - Hannan and Fahey are recent examples of D rookies that played beteen 30 - 50 games their first NHL season w/o their development being effected. Rat did it and tunred out ok.

If i remember correctly, Hannan did not platoon, but was rather only called up for about 30 games or so, and played the third pairing (with Mush that season, I think) in almost every one of them.

I know that is what happened with Fahey. He spent the first part of last year in Cleveland, and then made the big club and played (quite well, I might add) the rest of the season as a regular in the Sharks lineup.

I'm not saying that a platoon situation cannot work for certain prospects (though I don't really like it in Ehrhoff's case), only that your examples may be a bit faulty.

FYI - Hannan and Fahey are recent examples of D rookies that played beteen 30 - 50 games their first NHL season w/o their development being effected. Rat did it and tunred out ok.

I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but what (non-marginal NHLer) European defenseman has come over and, instead of going to the minors, platooned his first year in North America?

-Khel

Perhaps platoon is not the best choice of words here - granted. The
point is that Erhroff does not have to play 82 games in the NHL to
develop in a positive way this season. He could play some number of
games in Cleveland, if needed for "conditioning" - to complement
30 - 50 NHL games. Off hand I can't think of any euro D's that
have made this transition, not sure this really matters as they are not Ehrhoff! He's got good speed and plays solid position, it's possible that he's allready made adjustments to his game for the NHL - the rest could be addressed with coaching duing the season. Other Sharks D have done this in the past as allready stated.

So far he's impressed when other D generally have not (exception Davison??) - what other choices are there with the players at camp?

I don't see the Sharks making any short or long term moves (do you?)
for this position given the prospects in development and their adversion to spending money. Well, this is just my read of the tea leaves. We'll find out in a couple of weeks for sure.

Platooning: It worked great for Kroupa and Sykora...hmmm....

Ehrhoff should play, it should be the NHL, no platooning. Davison would play when injury or suspension warrants. Why the Sharks would hinder Ehrhoff when he could obviously challenge to make the All-Rookie Team is beyond me. He's already "AHL" proven in his dominant play in the DEL as well as his play in the Olympics and the WC's.

Christian Ehrhoff is the most complete defensive prospect the Sharks have ever had. (My opinion) Sandis did not have Ehrhoff's defensive maturity. I suppose you could argue for Brad Stuart...I just don't think Stuart had/has Ehrhoff's offensive potential. (No, Ehrhoff doesn't have Stuart's physical potential: Stuart is one of the hardest hitters San Jose has ever had I'd say.)

I'm not saying it hasn't happened, but what (non-marginal NHLer) European defenseman has come over and, instead of going to the minors, platooned his first year in North America?

-Khel

Seidenberg in PHI last year? Sounds like Philly might do it with Pitkanen too...