Comparing Sharks with and without Couture, Hertl

The rumor mill surrounding the San Jose Sharks as of recent weeks involves the uncertainty regarding the futures of long-time centers, Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl. While I don’t see a world in which they are both moved any time soon, I wouldn’t completely count out that possibility, either.

Sharks GM, Mike Grier, mentioned that if either Couture or Hertl ever asked to be moved, he would “listen.”

However, the season just started and luckily for fans, both players remain in teal sweaters. The clock is ticking, though, and the two aren’t getting any younger. Especially Couture who will turn 35 later this season, who thrives most during playoff hockey. Making him a notable trade candidate for many playoff contenders.

Let’s compare the two outcomes, being the San Jose Sharks with Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl, and the Sharks without them.

Option A: San Jose Sharks with Logan Couture & Tomas Hertl

This option is more than likely the favorite moving forward. I would say at least for the next season or two. But, you never know, as this sport is a business and anything can certainly happen.

Keeping Couture and Hertl means that the Sharks retain their 1-2 punch down the middle. This also means players like Thomas Bordeleau continue to remain on the outside looking in. Using other terms, keeping them both takes away vital opportunities to transition promising prospects into the NHL. If Couture continues putting up 55-65 points, it will be hard to push him down to a 3rd line center role. I’m not sure Couture would want that either.

So that would likely mean Will Smith would debut as the Sharks third line center this time of the year, next season. And still, where does Bordeleau fit in?

The Sharks would need to move players around, and even push others to play outside of their comfort zones, switching between center and wing, in order to fit all of the necessary players onto this roster.

An idea of what the Sharks forward lineup can look like on the opening night of 2024-25 can be:

  

Eklund             Hertl           Duclair

Bordeleau      Couture      Barabanov

Zadina           W. Smith     Zetterlund

G. Smith        Peterson      Kunin

Now, this could definitely be a stretch. However, I do anticipate trades or some sort of movement either at the trade deadline or during the offseason, involving Mike Hoffman and Nico Sturm.

I would rather the Sharks breed Bordeleau into a two-way centermen instead of a winger. Smith and Bordeleau as the Sharks' next number one and two centers don't sound too shabby at all.

Option B: San Jose Sharks Without Logan Couture & Tomas Hertl

This definitely holds a possibility of happening in the near future. The Sharks could absolutely decide to just tear down and really let the kids play, after all.  With Eklund and Bordeleau already playing early-season NHL games, and Will Smith, Quentin Musty, and hopefully Filip Bystedt all not too far away, pressure is going to be on the front office to make moves that will allow these types of players to actually play and reach their potentials in the NHL. 

I know, I know. “Quentin Musty might start the season with the Barracuda.” 

Stop. Stop it now.

Musty showed enough in this year’s training camp to earn himself a spot on the main roster, in my opinion. His 6 '2 frame offers him the leverage that neither Eklund nor Bordeleau had when they came in.

As for Smith, he’s turning pro once his year with Boston College is over and will play NHL games at the end of this season. Come next year, we all know he takes his spot on the main roster.

With that being said, a Couture & Hertl-less Sharks forward group:

Eklund      W. Smith        Duclair

Zadina      Bordeleau    Barabanov

Musty          Kunin         Zetterlund

G. Smith     Peterson      Robins

Again, definitely a stretch. But how much fun does this lineup look?

I personally would have a blast watching these NHL games. As much as it would hurt not seeing 48 and 39 in teal, this would definitely be entertaining for fans league-wide. 

The biggest concern regarding the state of the franchise is just having a plan. There needs to be a plan in place with what the Sharks are going to do with their young players and prospects moving forward; if keeping Couture and Hertl for the next few years is the route they are going to take. Or if they are going to move the two centers and more importantly, when.

So what do you think? What will the Sharks do with Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl?