A year ago, I was really bearish on San Jose’s prospect pool.

For a team that clearly was already in the midst of a rebuild, they seemed to lack high-end prospects that got you excited. Outside of William Eklund, there wasn’t much going for them.

But a solid season by Filip Bystedt, plus selecting Will Smith with the fourth pick in 2023, helped spice the pipeline’s top end. Quentin Musty was another great selection, and adding Shakir Mikhamadullin and Henry Thrun through the trade route significantly helped the team’s blueline. It’s not a perfect prospect crop, but this group has a lot to like.

As it stands, it’s safe to say the Sharks have a top-10 prospect pool. They’re missing a strong goaltender, but with some solid options down the middle and on the blueline, there’s a lot to like about this crop. And there has to be, given how awful they’ve been in NHL play the past few years. This is what you build for.

Biggest Strength

That center depth, man. Can you imagine a top three of Smith, Eklund and Bystedt? And then there’s Thomas Bordeleau and Cameron Lund, too. Through some solid drafting, they’ve given themselves some nice piece to work with. I’d expect at least a few to try the wing, and there’s always the option of packaging one up in a trade. But few teams have the C depth that the Sharks have right now.

Biggest Weakness

A lack of a goalie-of-the-future is concerning, but the wing depth behind Musty lacks the most. Musty and Tristen Robins are the only wingers on this list, with Daniil Gushchin and Ozzy Wiesblatt both being interesting options, as well. Musty has the best shot at being a sure thing for the Sharks. After that, it’s much more open.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Will Smith (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Grade: A-

1. Will Smith, C, 18 (Boston College)

Drafted: No. 4, first round in 2023

I would have preferred the Sharks take Matvei Michkov with their first pick, but Smith was an outstanding pick. Smith is a versatile centerman with a high offensive floor and plays a reliable two-way game. Many scouts believe he’ll be valuable as a top-six forward that can hold his own physically and set players up on the rush while putting up 20-plus goals consistently. He’s great on the power play, too. I’d expect a one-year run in college, and I fully expect some incredible numbers next year. Smith will also be one of USA’s top centers at the world juniors, too.

2. William Eklund, C, 20 (San Jose Sharks)

Drafted: No. 7, first round in 2021

It was a big first season for Eklund, who had 17 goals and 41 points in 54 games with the San Jose Barracuda. He also had an eight-game run with the Sharks, scoring twice and adding an assist. The smart forward’s work ethic shone throughout the year, but his NHL experience varied from game to game. Once Eklund adjusts to the pace of the NHL, there’s no doubt he has the translatable skills to be a top six forward.

*Filip Bystedt (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)*

3. Filip Bystedt, C, 19 (Linköping HC, SHL)

Drafted: No. 27, first round in 2022

At the WJSS earlier this month, Bystedt established himself as Sweden’s No. 1 center with Leo Carlsson unlikely to participate in December. Bystedt’s mix of size and speed is solid, and I don’t recall seeing him playing with the high competitive pace we saw in Plymouth. Some Sharks fans didn’t love thea team’s pick of him at No. 27 in 2022, but scouts knew the potential was there for him to dominate once he figured out how to use his 6-foot-4 frame to his advantage. After the year we saw of him with Linkoping, the fanbase has to be thrilled.

4. Quentin Musty, LW, 18 (Sudbury, OHL)

Drafted: No. 26, first round in 2023

Musty is always thinking offense, and his compete level is near the top of the class. It bothers him when he gets stopped on a chance and he tries even harder the next time. Musty has a good release and skates well enough, and he’s extremely dangerous near the crease. He showed that at the World Junior Summer Showcase, where he put his best foot forward in an attempt to make USA’s roster for the main event in December.

5. Thomas Bordeleau, C, 21 (San Jose, AHL)

Drafted: No 38, second round in 2020

Heads were definitely turned when Bordeleau turned pro after two seasons of NCAA action. He had a great run with the Sharks to close out 2021-22 before playing a leading role with USA’s world junior team that summer. Bordeleau finished his first pro season with a solid 22 goals and 41 points in 65 regular season games, but his NHL performance varied night-to-night. Regardless, it was a successful year for the Houston, Texas native, and this season will be about building upon it before going full-time in the NHL.

*Thomas Bordeleau (Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports)*

6. Shakir Mukhamadullin, D, 21 (San Jose, AHL)

Drafted: No. 20, first round in 2020 by New Jersey/traded to San Jose in 2023

The Sharks didn’t have a top-flight defensive prospect before the Timo Meier deal last season. Mikhamadulin was brought in to give them a higher-end option, and he didn’t disappoint with the Barracuda. He had 10 points in 12 games in an impact role down the stretch, building upon his most successful KHL season to date with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He’s not set for a full season in the AHL, where he’ll develop on smaller ice and continue to improve his decision-making with the puck. There’s some second-pairing potential here.

7. Henry Thrun, D, 22 (San Jose, AHL)

Drafted: No. 101, fourth round in 2019 by Anaheim/traded to San Jose in 2023

Another trade deadline pickup, Thrun was a big addition to the team’s depth. The former Harvard University captain had an interesting path to the pro ranks. After two years at the USNTDP, he joined Harvard as a freshman in 2019-20. The COVID-19-impacted 2020-21 allowed Thrun to head to the USHL before coming back for two huge campaigns with Harvard. He got into eight NHL games with the Sharks, but he’s headed to the Barracuda to set himself up for a solid future.

8. Cameron Lund, C, 19 (Northeastern, NCAA)

Drafted: No. 34, second round in 2022

Lund’s work ethic stands out. He’s a coach’s dream, someone willing to stand up and do any role he asks. He didn’t blow away anyone offensively as a freshman, but his high-tempo gameplay forces turnovers and creates chances that often doesn’t get rewarded on the scoresheet. Lund is a future bottom-six NHLer with some upside to push up if needed.

*Mattias Havelid (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

9. Mattias Hävelid, D, 19 (Linköping HC, SHL)

Drafted: No. 45, second round in 2022

If the World Junior Summer Showcase is any indication, Hävelid is set to have a big year. He was one of the best defensemen at the event, taking charge from the get-go. An injury limited his game count with Linköping this year, but he started to look more and more comfortable as the season wore on. The 5-foot-10 defenseman is definitely on the smaller size, but his skating and skill with the puck are notable.

10. Tristen Robins, RW, 21 (San Jose, AHL)

Drafted: No. 56, second round in 2022

A British-born Canadian, Robins had a solid 17-goal, 38-point rookie campaign with the Barracuda. He also skated in three NHL games in April with limited results. It was a good season given he had to play a lot of catch-up in 2021-22 due to an MCL injury the previous year. It was clear it didn’t slow down his progress, and as one of the youngest players on the team, he still managed to stand out. Robins is still a work in progress, but he’s a proven goal-scorer with a great release and works his tail off to make plays happen.

Other notables: Kasper Halttunen, RW (18), Daniil Gushchin, LW (21), Eric Pohlkamp, D (19), Luca Cagnoni, D (18), Brandon Svoboda, C (18), Alex Young, C (22), Magnus Chrona, G (22), Nikita Okhotiuk, D (22), Ethan Cardwell, RW (20), Adam Raska, LW (21), Ozzy Wiesblatt, RW (21), Brandon Coe, RW (21), Nick Cicek, D (23), Gannon Laroque, D (19), Artem Guryev, D (20), Valtteri Pulli, D (22), Mason Peaupit, G (19), Axel Landen, D (18), Michael Fisher, D (19)

Previous 2023-24 NHL Prospect Pool instalments

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