Prospects to Watch in Barracuda Playoff Run

The San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks AHL affiliate, has clinched a Calder Cup berth for the first time since 2021-22, reflecting a restocking of talent in the farm system from GM Mike Grier. 

The 2024-25 season showed tremendous promise for suffering Sharks fans seeing young talent like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and William Eklund flourish, all while seeing spurts from Yaroslav Aksarov in net and Collin Graf emerging as a legitimate producer in the pro lineup. 

With the Calder Cup playoffs beginning Tuesday, April 23, here are the prospects Sharks fans should keep their eye on.

Quentin Musty and Igor Chernyshov 

Two highly touted Sharks prospects showing impressive scoring acumen in the OHL have been added to the Barracuda roster to join their playoff push. The Sharks second 1st round selection in the 2023 Draft, Quentin Musty has rebounded from an injury earlier in the year to be a more than steady point producer for the Sudbury Wolves recording 59 points in 33 games, nearly playing at a goal a game pace with 30. 

Igor Chernyshov, the Russian standout coming from the Saginaw Spirit exploded on the scene in the OHL. The Sharks 2nd round pick in the 2024 Draft was a point factory, producing 55 points in only 23 games played. 

These two scorers joining the Barracuda’s playoff push is exciting for their development and can give a glimpse at how ready they are to join the pro team. If Musty and Cheryshov can continue to help light the lamp at the pace they are accustomed to, Sharks fans hopes to see the rebuild accelerate may have traction. A good start would track these two to playing in the AHL next year if they don’t crack the Sharks roster. 

Yaroslav Askarov

The Sharks were given a sneak peak at what is likely the goalie of the future with Yaroslav Askarov, who dazzled with his athleticism on the ice and captivated the hearts of fans with his goofy and optimistic personality. In 13 games, Askarov had 4 wins, .896 SV%, and 3.10 GAA, but performed better than the numbers indicate. He established himself as a pillar for the future. Now with young talents like Celebrini and Smith rounding out forward and Askarov crossing off the need of a goalie prospect, defensemen are now the Sharks biggest hole in their farm. 

Askarov dominated in the AHL, being named an All-Star in the Pacific division and ending his season at 11-9-1, .923 SV%, 2.45 GAA, and 4 shutouts. 

Sharks fans are going to want to track Askarov’s performance in a playoff environment, hoping that the goalie of the future is one of the netminders that tightens up come playoff time. It’s another opportunity for Askarov to show off his rare athleticism, hopefully showing he has outgrown the AHL competition and is ready to take the reins in net for the Sharks in 2025-26. 

Collin Graf

Graf, like Will Smith, struggled to produce points early on but figured out another level toward the end of the season. Graf demonstrated maturity in his game defensively, showing signs he has a future with the Sharks as a forward who can pot some goals and grind out badly needed defensive minutes locking down opposing forwards. 

What Sharks fans are hoping to see from Graf is continuing to build on his confidence and sharpening his skills in games that matter. Seeing how he responds to pressure among grown men and continuing to improve as he did in the NHL should excite fans. Graf has an opportunity to cash in on more scoring chances, while also honing his defensive game to build momentum for next season, further demonstrating to the front office that he belongs with the Sharks rather than the Barracuda. 

Luca Cagnoni

As a plucky short defenseman in Montreal may have stolen the Calder from Celebrini, the Sharks have their own offensive minded defenseman short in stature. At 5’9” and 180 lbs, he actually weighs 20 lbs more than Hutson. 

In the AHL this season before getting a cup of coffee with the Sharks, fans can eagerly watch Cagnoni continue to show his offensive ability that has scouts excited about him. In 62 games, he recorded 49 points, so the progress Sharks fans should be rooting for is defensively. If the Sharks are going to give him minutes in the NHL, Cagnoni needs to be able hold his own defensively at a pro level. 

Brent Burns was able to take so many chances offensively on the Sharks because he was so gifted athletically and crushed people with his sheer size, so the Sharks were able to live with 88 pinching trying to create offense because he could be physical and get back defensively when he needed to. Cagnoni doesn’t have that luxury, so he will need to become a player guided by his defense rather than going all in offensively. Once he is comfortable and consistent in his defensive game, he can let his offensive instincts takeover, but he needs to master the defensive side first before being a mainstay in the NHL, and the AHL playoffs are a great opportunity to do so.

Hopefully some if not all of the prospects here take strides in their game indicating they are ready for the NHL. My prediction is that Askarov will excel and prove he is ready for the starting net in 2025-26. One of Musty or Chernyshov will pop and produce points. Graf will directly contribute to winning, likely as a defensive forward who scores at opportune times. I am most eager to see Cagnoni in a grittier playoff environment due to his size and overall defensive play, since his offensive game is impressive enough.