Who Should The Sharks Draft With The Pittsburgh Penguins Pick?

After the Erik Karlsson trade in August 2023, most Sharks fans wrote off the first-round pick as a mid-to-late 20s pick, much like what the Sharks received from the New Jersey Devils in the Timo Meier trade. Fast-forward eight months, and the Sharks have a golden opportunity with potentially two picks in the top 15.

The Sharks are guaranteed a top-three pick thanks to their borderline historically bad season, which secured the top odds before the NHL Draft lottery. The Penguins made a desperate push to make the playoffs but were eliminated thanks to a Washington Capitals empty-net goal against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Penguins pick sits at 14 before the draft lottery.

While there is a 1.5% chance that the Penguins "win" the lottery and thus move the pick up 10 spots to fourth overall, Penguins GM Kyle Dubios would have a decision to send the pick to the Sharks or give the Sharks their unprotected 2025 first-round pick. This pick will likely be Mike Grier's by the time the draft starts.

That begs the question, who should Mike Grier target with this pick?

Cole Eiserman

Heading into the 2023-2024 season, Cole Eiserman was considered the consensus number two behind Macklin Celebrini. Questions in his game have seen his stock drop over the season, but he does bring an elite skill. His shot. While it can be risky to take a player with one elite skill who does questions in his game, the upside to adding a potential 40-goal scorer in the middle of the first round is too good of an opportunity for Mike Grier, especially with your second pick of the draft. There is a reason he was looked at as a potential top 5 pick heading into the season.

Carter Yakemchuk

Mike Grier has added a lot of pieces to the San Jose Sharks blue line since he arrived. Acquiring pro (or near pro) ready players like Henry Thrun and Shakir Mukhamadullin through trades and drafting Mattias Havelid and Luca Cagnoni, but the Sharks still lack that defenseman who can be the guy. While Yakemchuk may not have the upside of a Zeev Buium, he adds exactly what Grier is looking for. A nastiness. The 6'3", 200lb right-handed shot is not afraid of the physical game but provides plenty of mobility and offensive skill. His game has room to grow and could be worth adding in the middle of the round.

Tij Iginla

If you want to add a highly-skilled, competitive forward who shows leadership on and off the ice, look no further than Tij Iginla. His hall-of-fame dad tormented the Sharks in his playing days, and Tij is well on his way to becoming a star in his own right. Iginla has a strong shot, and his hockey IQ, combined with his physicality, make him a perfect fit for what Grier is looking for in his rebuild.