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Every article, I try to include a poll question for readers to vote on, then review the results from the week’s polls every weekend. Here are this week’s poll results and my thoughts on how they turned out.
QUESTION: Where do you expect John Leonard to fit in the Sharks’ lineup long-term?
(Votes: 49)
Bottom-six: 55%
Top-six: 31%
Doesn’t make/Doesn’t stay in the NHL: 14%
Like 86 per cent of readers voted, I also believe Leonard is likely to make the NHL, probably on the third line as a bottom-six forward. He’s probably not going to be a permanent top-six member, however, like some of his comparables, maybe he could get to the point where he's able to slide up to play top-six when needed. He’s still likely going to be a year or two in the minors at least, but he certainly projects as a solid depth piece for the Sharks up front.
QUESTION: Do you think Alexei Melnichuk will start the season in the NHL or AHL?
(Votes: 71)
AHL: 58%
NHL: 42%
I agree that he’s probably going to start in the AHL and it’s also probably the right call, I just look and think how perfect it would work if he was able to make the jump to the NHL right away, with Martin Jones struggling and Aaron Dell's contract expiring. To be fair though, that’s rushing things and unless he has a stellar training camp, he’s likely to start his North American career in the minors.
QUESTION: If granted a compliance buyout, who do you hope the Sharks use it on?
(Votes: 321)
Vlasic: 48%
Jones: 43%
Someone else: 6%
I hope they don’t use it: 3%
Well this one was close and there’s certainly an argument to be made for both Jones and Vlasic. Like 91 per cent of voters, I obviously believe it should be used on one of the two, it’s just a matter of which player. To me, Vlasic’s contract is just far too long and expensive and at his age, it’s hard to see it not looking horrible in a couple of years, considering it’s already not a great price for him. While I definitely don’t like Martin Jones’ contract, there’s still a chance he bounces back and if not, it’s less term to deal with and comes at a lower price.
OTHER SHARKS ARTICLES FROM MAY
Sharks will reportedly sign goaltender Alexei Melnichuk
What would the Sharks do with a compliance buyout? 
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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