San Jose Sharks: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about

8. Artemi Kniazev

While he remains very much a project at this point, Artemi Kniazev looks like a nice pick for the Sharks so far. The 48th selection at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has spent the past two seasons with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL, where he has posted solid offensive numbers for a defenceman.

In 51 games this season, the 19-year-old put up 11 goals and 43 points in 51 games. While the goals took a slight hit from the 13 he scored a season prior, he still upped his point total by nine, despite appearing in four fewer games.

While he lacks size for a defenceman at just 5-foot-11 and 183 lbs, he is very skilled and should have Sharks fans excited. It will be interesting to see what numbers he will put up in what is likely his final year of junior hockey next season.

7. Lean Bergmann

Lean Bergmann is a player who seems to keep defying the odds. The undrafted German centerman hasn’t come anywhere close to being a point per game player during his last five seasons of hockey, three of which have come in the USHL, one in the DEL, and this past season which saw him play in both the AHL and NHL.

Despite not producing big numbers, he has been able continue grinding his way to the next level, and was able to play in his first 12 NHL games this season. Given that he is just 21-years-old, he may still be given some more time in the AHL to try and further develop his offensive game, but it is clear that the Sharks management think highly of him.