Top prospects for San Jose Sharks

NHL.com is providing in-depth prospect analysis for each of its 31 teams throughout August. Today, the San Jose Sharks.
The San Jose Sharks have made finding young forwards a priority the past two seasons at the NHL Draft, using nine of 11 picks on the position.

Though a number of those players won't reach the NHL for a few more seasons, the Sharks have several other young forward prospects closer to making an impact in the League.
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Here are the Sharks' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:

1. Timo Meier, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 9 pick in 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: San Jose (NHL): 34 GP, 3-3-6; San Jose (AHL): 33 GP, 14-9-23
Meier, 20, scored in his first NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 16. He averaged 12:28 of ice time per game in the League and rarely saw power-play time. That should change this season following the departure of forward Patrick Marleau to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent. Expect Meier (6-foot, 210 pounds) to get a shot at playing left wing on one of the top two lines and see significant minutes on the man-advantage.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

2. Daniel O'Regan, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 138 pick in 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: San Jose (NHL): 3 GP, 1-0-1; San Jose (AHL): 63 GP, 23-35-58
After four seasons at Boston University, O'Regan, 23, had a strong first professional season, leading American Hockey League rookies in points. He made his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 21 and scored his first goal against the Calgary Flames on April 8. O'Regan (5-10, 180) is a natural center but could be moved to the wing to get him into the lineup.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

3. Joshua Norris, F

How acquired: Selected with No. 19 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season:USA U-18 (NTDP): 61 GP, 27-34-61
Norris, 18, opened eyes with seven points (three goals, four assists) in seven games to help the United States win the gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, and then dominated the fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine, finishing first in five of 14 events. A speedy skater with strength to protect the puck, Norris (6-1, 190) will play at the University of Michigan this season and likely for the U.S. at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Projected NHL arrival: 2019-20

4. Joakim Ryan, D

How acquired:Selected with No. 198 pick in 2012 NHL Draft
Last season: San Jose (AHL): 65 GP, 10-39-49
Ryan, 24, made a big jump last season, his second in the AHL. He was tied for fifth among AHL defensemen in points and his plus-27 rating was fourth. With David Schlemko lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft (and subsequently traded to the Montreal Canadiens), the opportunity is there for Ryan (5-11, 185) to claim an NHL spot.
Projected NHL arrival: This season

5. Rourke Chartier, F

How acquired:Selected with No. 149 pick in 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: San Jose (AHL): 67 GP, 17-18-35
Chartier, 21, made a nice impact in his first professional season and followed it with six assists in seven AHL playoff games. Chartier (5-11, 190) likely will see more ice time in the AHL this season, and how he handles those responsibilities will determine how quickly he's able to progress to the NHL.
Projected NHL arrival: Next season