The Case For Keaton Verhoeff

With the San Jose Sharks jumping from 9 to 2 in the NHL Draft lottery, they are now in a prime position to add basically anyone they want to their pipeline. With the Sharks expected to start competing for a playoff spot and soon deep playoff runs, this is expected to be their last top-5 pick for a while.

Keaton Verhoeff

Defense
6'4" 212 pounds
Birthday: June 2008 (17)
Right-handed

Source: Keaton Verhoeff @ Elite Prospects

Ten months ago, if you had told Sharks fans they could draft Keaton Verhoeff, they would have signed up no questions asked. The big right-handed defenseman had just come off a monster season in the WHL with the Victoria Royals, where he put up 21 goals and 45 points in 63 games as a 16-year-old. With the new CHL/NCAA rules, Verhoeff took a chance and jumped to the NCAA to play with annual powerhouse North Dakota.

As Will Scouch points out, only 27 players have played in the NCAA as a 17-year-old, so we are entering a new realm when it comes to scouting players. Verhoeff typically played second or third-pairing minutes and was primarily focused on surviving the rigors of NCAA play. He put up 6 goals and 20 points in 36 games while playing just under 19 minutes a night.

Verhoeff has the tools you are looking for in a modern defenseman; he already has excellent size and strength for a 17-year-old, and while his skating isn't elite, the foundation is there if he continues to work on his mechanics. There are questions about his decision-making, but as he gains more experience, he should be able to overcome them.

While Verhoeff most likely won't put up the monster production in the NHL, he has the makings of a high-end two-way defenseman who can not only play, but also excel in all situations. The fact that he is already getting reps against players who are four or five years older than him is a great sign for his development and what he can become.

It would have been easy for Verheoff to head back to the WHL, put up 30+ goals, and be a big fish in a small pond, but he chose to challenge himself in the NCAA and is a better player for it. Don't be surprised if Verheoff starts to stuff the stat sheet next season in his sophomore season with the Fighting Hawks.

The Case For Chase Reid

With the San Jose Sharks jumping from 9 to 2 in the NHL Draft lottery, they are now in a prime position to add basically anyone they want to their pipeline. With the Sharks expected to start competing for a playoff spot and soon deep playoff runs, this is expected

The ReefJD Young

As the San Jose Sharks look to build a cup-contending team, look no further than the Vegas Golden Knights. Their best defensemen are excellent at killing the play and starting the transition to their talented forward group. There are no weak links in their group, and that has been a staple of the organization's operations since the franchise's start. While there are a lot of expectations for a player when they are selected second overall, Verhoeff has the makings of a player who will be a key piece on a championship contender for a long time.