With Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli expected to be selected first and second overall, respectively, which of the top remaining players will the Sharks target at the No. 4 spot in the NHL draft?
- Editor's Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
For Adin Hill, what a difference a fresh start makes.
Two summers ago, the San Jose Sharks, moving on from the Martin Jones era, sent a 2022 second-round pick and goaltending prospect Josef Korenar to the Arizona Coyotes for then 25-year-old Hill and a 2022 seventh-round pick.
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San Jose’s heir apparent, however, struggled with injuries and consistency, posting a 10-11-1 record with a .906 Save %. In contrast, veteran battery mate James Reimer outdueled Hill with a 19-17-10 record and a .911 Save %.
By the 2021-22 trade deadline, it seemed like Hill’s days in teal were numbered when the Sharks acquired Kaapo Kahkonen. And indeed, San Jose cut their losses last summer by dealing Hill to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2024 fourth-round pick.
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But now, Hill has led the Golden Knights to the Western Conference Finals, putting up 39 saves to eliminate the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game Six.
San Jose Sharks
Predictably, behind a better team, Hill put up better numbers.
