And there we were. After a disappointing 2014-2015 season (to put it lightly), the San Jose Sharks had their highest draft selection in almost 10 years. When Gary Bettman called the Shark's brain trust to the stage, there were many great options still on the board at ninth overall. Big-bodied Finnish forward Mikko Rantanen, Michigan-bound Kyle Connor, and playmaking wizard Mathew Barzal piqued my interest.
After a somewhat awkward exchange between Bettman and Sharks head scout Tim Burke, Burke went right to the podium. This was it. This was the moment of excitement.