Top San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty will be an option for the San Jose Barracuda during their Calder Cup Playoff run.
Following their final practice on Wednesday, Barracuda head coach John McCarthy told reporters that Musty is an option to play and could be a key contributor.
“Musty is a high offensive guy. That’s another thing a lot of young players need to work on, making positive possession driving plays,” McCarthy said. “Whether it’s transporting it yourself through the neutral zone [or] finding a teammate.”
The Sharks’ 2023 first-round pick played three games at the end of the ‘Cuda season. While the winger didn’t register a point, he was utilized as a power-play breakout starter.
“He transports pucks well through the neutral zone. He did it five on five, too,” McCarthy said. “I thought he had a couple nice plays off entries, something that he’s done in Sudbury. It’s good to see him doing that in the American League game.”
Musty doesn’t care what role he’s in; he just wants to produce
Although the Sharks prospect plays with a personality on the ice, he’s come off quite reserved to the media. That didn’t stop him from sharing his excitement about being part of a playoff team.
“I’m a little newer here, but it seems like the guys who have been here for all the years where they haven’t made the playoffs are excited to get going,” Musty told SHD.
The plan is for Musty to become a big-time contributor for the San Jose Sharks at the NHL level, but he must first learn the pro game. Musty understands there will be a learning curve, but he feels he’s adjusting quickly.
“The pace is quicker, and the little details, they add up,” Musty explained. “I’m a bigger body, and I could play pretty physical if that’s the role I’m going to be in. My goal is to bring offense and create plays and just try and make the game easy for whoever I’m playing with.”
McCarthy told reporters that the coaching staff is still tinkering with the lines for game one against the Ontario Reign. Musty was not part of line rushes on Wednesday, but McCarthy said Musty and fellow Sharks prospect Igor Chernyshov are both options to play in the series.
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