Scout’s Analysis: How Ivar Stenberg has began with the Sharks

In the construct as much as the NHL Draft final June, it turned fairly apparent who the highest two prospects have been. Although a number of high-end defencemen have been obtainable, forwards Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg had separated themselves from the pack as the highest two gamers within the class. The Toronto Maple Leafs, by way of Justin Bieber, stepped to the rostrum to pick out McKenna first general and the San Jose Sharks adopted by snagging Stenberg with the second choose. 

McKenna now has 9 eventful video games underneath his belt on the NHL degree. He’s been underneath the microscope in Toronto and there have been a number of layers of dialogue about how he’s being deployed to date. In my opinion, he’s already showcasing his elite playmaking skill and an identification as a risk to supply offence at even power and on the ability play. McKenna has 2G-3A to date, which isn’t unhealthy contemplating he has principally been deployed as a middle-six ahead and on the second energy play unit. He has been bumped as much as the primary PP unit as John Tavares is out with a lower-body damage, and I totally anticipate he’ll contribute in that position. 

There has been no scarcity of protection on McKenna’s NHL begin in these components. It’s been analyzed and picked aside. But what about Stenberg?

Monday night time gives a superb alternative for east coast hockey followers. Stenberg’s San Jose Sharks are in Toronto to play the Leafs and the sport presents an opportunity for all of us to match the highest two picks from the draft in a head-to-head matchup.

With that in thoughts right here’s a take a look at the position, and affect, Stenberg has had within the first eight video games of his NHL profession:

How is Stenberg being deployed?

All of Stenberg’s ice time comes at even power and on the primary energy play unit. His season low in ice time got here in his very first recreation, San Jose’s dwelling opener versus Florida, the place he performed 13:35. Since then his position has steadily elevated and his ice time displays this. Stenberg clocked in for 17:30 on Saturday of their shootout win over Detroit and his general common ice time is as much as 15:51 by way of his first eight video games performed. 

McKenna, for comparability, is averaging 14:23 per recreation. That, in fact, contains the benching final week, however McKenna additionally earned a season-high 17:56 this previous Saturday.

Who is Stenberg taking part in with?

Stenberg, like McKenna, has been skating on the wing in a middle-six position. Some nights he has been slotted alongside Alexander Wennberg and Tyler Toffoli, whereas different linemates have included Michael Misa and Kiefer Sherwood. 

One factor that has stood out for me is the very fact Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky doesn’t shrink back from Stenberg’s group matching up towards opposing workforce’s high strains. For instance, when the Edmonton Oilers just lately visited San Jose, Stenberg was slotted on left wing alongside centre Wennberg and right-winger Sherwood. The group was tasked with containing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin at even power. Stenberg was deployed a complete of 18:09 in that recreation, with all however one in every of his even power shifts coming towards Edmonton’s high line. Impressively, particularly contemplating the torrid begin McDavid has been on, Stenberg’s line didn’t enable a aim towards the Oilers’ high line.

What has his involvement on the ability play been?

The Sharks’ high energy play unit deploys 4 forwards. Stenberg typically works off his robust aspect and slides into the bumper/net-front place as required. His imaginative and prescient and execution with the puck have been on full show early within the season. Stenberg has contributed 2G-4A general, with 2G-3A approaching the ability play.

Here’s an instance of how harmful Stenberg and the Sharks may be on the ability play. As quickly as San Jose good points full management of the puck, they transfer the play to Stenberg on the strong-side flank. In this clip, the Boston Bruins defenders get caught between their checks as Stenberg slings a fast and correct seam cross to Macklin Celebrini for the tuck. 

What’s been his all-around affect?

Stenberg, like McKenna and each different rookie within the NHL, is studying the best way to take correct routes to kill performs defensively and the best way to anticipate how a play is growing on and off the puck in all three zones. Stenberg’s defensive metrics have not been excellent — he’s minus-6 by way of eight video games — but it surely’s not for lack of effort. 

Here’s an instance of what I’ve seen from Stenberg off the puck. When Misa enters the offensive zone and pulls up alongside the half wall, Stenberg heads to the entrance of the Bruins internet whereas Misa makes an attempt to maneuver the puck down the boards. Unfortunately, the Bruins intercept the play and head again up ice in the direction of the Sharks internet. Notice Stenberg’s effort to again verify. He was a shade late initially however might have, with a distinct route, positioned himself to dam the shot/cross beside his crease. 

Stenberg has seen some play in OT — what’s been his affect there?

Extra factors received in time beyond regulation may be the distinction between a workforce making th playoffs and simply lacking out. The Sharks aren’t shy about deploying their younger weapons within the additional session and Stenberg has contributed on this position, too. 

Here’s a spotlight that has circulated from San Jose’s recreation versus the St. Louis Blues. At the outset Stenberg is nicely positioned defensively. He protects his crease and retains his opponent in entrance of him. When the puck ultimately finally ends up on his stick he’s calculating together with his method. Stenberg takes his time whereas the Blues again off their blue line, pulls up, and rips a cross to Darnell Nurse who had burst up ice after a line change. 

Can the Sharks make the playoffs with this group?

Upon being employed in 2022 Sharks GM Mike Grier, with full help of possession, made the choice to rebuild San Jose’s total group. They have drafted and developed skills like Celebrini, Misa, Sam Dickinson, Igor Chernyshov and now Stenberg.

Grier has additionally used his obtainable cap house to signal faculty free brokers like Colin Graf and added goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, defencemen Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse, and winger Sherwood in different transactions. The Sharks are a workforce on the rise and positioned nicely to be a playoff workforce for years to come back. Stenberg can be a central a part of that and his profession is off to a promising begin — one worthy of a second general choose.