In the build up to the NHL Draft last June, it became pretty obvious who the top two prospects were. Although several high-end defencemen were available, forwards Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg had separated themselves from the pack as the top two players in the class. The Toronto Maple Leafs, via Justin Bieber, stepped to the podium to select McKenna first overall and the San Jose Sharks followed by snagging Stenberg with the second pick.
McKenna now has nine eventful games under his belt at the NHL level. He’s been under the microscope in Toronto and there have been several layers of discussion about how he is being deployed so far. In my opinion, he is already showcasing his elite playmaking ability and an identity as a threat to produce offence at even strength and on the power play. McKenna has 2G-3A so far, which isn’t bad considering he has mostly been deployed as a middle-six forward and on the second power play unit. He has been bumped up to the first PP unit as John Tavares is out with a lower-body injury, and I fully expect he will contribute in that role.
There has been no shortage of coverage on McKenna's NHL start in these parts. It's been analyzed and picked apart. But what about Stenberg?
Monday night provides an excellent opportunity for East Coast hockey fans. Stenberg's San Jose Sharks are in Toronto to play the Leafs and the game presents a chance for all of us to compare the top two picks from the draft in a head-to-head matchup (on Sportsnet+ at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT).
With that in mind here’s a look at the role, and impact, Stenberg has had in the first eight games of his NHL career:
How is Stenberg being deployed?
All of Stenberg’s ice time comes at even strength and on the first power play unit. His season low in ice time came in his very first game, San Jose's home opener versus Florida, where he played 13:35. Since then his role has steadily increased and his ice time reflects this. Stenberg clocked in for 17:30 on Saturday in their shootout win over Detroit and his overall average ice time is up to 15:51 through his first eight games played.
McKenna, for comparison, is averaging 14:23 per game. That, of course, includes the benching last week, but McKenna also earned a season-high 17:56 this past Saturday.
Who is Stenberg playing with?
Stenberg, like McKenna, has been skating on the wing in a middle-six role. Some nights he has been slotted alongside Alexander Wennberg and Tyler Toffoli, while other linemates have included Michael Misa and Kiefer Sherwood.
One thing that has stood out for me is the fact Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky doesn’t shy away from Stenberg’s group matching up against opposing team’s top lines. For example, when the Edmonton Oilers recently 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 strength. Stenberg was deployed a total of 18:09 in that game, with all but one of his even strength shifts coming against Edmonton's top line. Impressively, especially considering the torrid start McDavid has been on, Stenberg’s line didn’t allow a goal against the Oilers' top line.
What has his involvement on the power play been?
The Sharks' top power play unit deploys four forwards. Stenberg generally works off his strong side and slides into the bumper/net-front position as required. His vision and execution with the puck have been on full display early in the season. Stenberg has contributed 2G-4A overall, with 2G-3A coming on the power play.
Here’s an example of how dangerous Stenberg and the Sharks can be on the power play. As soon as San Jose gains full control of the puck, they move 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 quick and accurate seam pass to Macklin Celebrini for the tuck.
What's been his all-around impact?
Stenberg, like McKenna and every other rookie in the NHL, is learning how to take proper routes to kill plays defensively and how to anticipate how a play is developing on and off the puck in all three zones. Stenberg's defensive metrics haven't been outstanding -- he is minus-6 through eight games -- but it’s not for lack of effort.
Here’s an example of what I’ve seen from Stenberg off the puck. When Misa enters the offensive zone and pulls up along the half wall, Stenberg heads to the front of the Bruins net while Misa attempts to move the puck down the boards. Unfortunately, the Bruins intercept the play and head back up ice towards the Sharks net. Notice Stenberg’s effort to back check. He was a shade late initially but could have, with a different route, positioned himself to block the shot/pass beside his crease.
Stenberg has seen some play in OT -- what's been his impact there?
Extra points won in overtime can be the difference between a team making th playoffs and just missing out. The Sharks aren’t shy about deploying their young guns in the extra session and Stenberg has contributed in this role, too.
Here’s a highlight that has circulated from San Jose’s game versus the St. Louis Blues. At the outset Stenberg is well positioned defensively. He protects his crease and keeps his opponent in front of him. When the puck eventually ends up on his stick he’s calculating with his approach. Stenberg takes his time while the Blues back off their blue line, pulls up, and rips a pass to Darnell Nurse who had burst up ice after a line change.
Can the Sharks make the playoffs with this group?
Upon being hired in 2022 Sharks GM Mike Grier, with full support of ownership, made the decision to rebuild San Jose’s entire organization. They have drafted and developed talents like Celebrini, Misa, Sam Dickinson, Igor Chernyshov and now Stenberg.
Grier has also used his available cap space to sign college free agents like Colin Graf and added goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, defencemen Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse, and winger Sherwood in other transactions. The Sharks are a team on the rise and positioned well to be a playoff team for years to come. Stenberg will be a central part of that and his career is off to a promising start -- one worthy of a second overall pick.
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