SenShot NHL Mock Draft Pick #20 – San Jose Sharks

We enter the bottom third of the first round with a team that has long been a contender, but hasn’t been able to break through in the playoffs.  Another second round exit might mean a changing of the guard up front, as well as on the blue line.  The player they end up with at the #20 pick won’t be an immediate fix but will play an important role down the road.

 #20 – SAN JOSE SHARKS

April 19, 2012; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan stands behind the bench against the St. Louis Blues during the third period in game four of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at HP Pavilion. St. Louis defeated San Jose 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

TEAM STRENGTHS:  Goaltending, depth up the middle

TEAM WEAKNESSES: Size up front, blue chip defensemen

HOCKEY’S FUTURE ORGANIZATIONAL PROSPECT RANK: 22nd of 30 teams

UNDER CONSIDERATION:   Josh Morrisey, Kerby Rychel, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nicolas Petan

FANSIDED MOCK DRAFT PICK: Blades of Teal selected Anthony Mantha

SENSHOT’S CHOICE: Kerby Rychel from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL.  Rychel has the bloodlines (his dad is former NHLer Warren) and he also has the size and compete level the Sharks will require as they eventually begin to re-tool their offense.  Rychel is more offensively gited than his father, and he projects to be a top 6 forward who can provide San Jose with some sandpaper to go along with the offense of Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski in future years.

SENSHOT’S MOCK DRAFT TO DATE (click on team to view the selection):