Month: September 2023

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Canucks are a playoff team says prez; Bruins Marchand takes captaincy; plus more news

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Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) is congratulated for his goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the first period on Thu Apr 13, 2023 ASU in Tempe AZ. Canucks team president Jim Rutherford says the Canucks are a playoff team coming into the 2023-24 season. (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 The Vancouver Canucks team president Jim Rutherford said that this is a playoff bound team but Rutherford feels not all the pieces are in place yet. Rutherford said to be a playoff team everything has to go right, the goaltending, special teams, and you can’t get a lot of injuries.

#2 Brad Marchand forward for the Boston Bruins has taken over as team captain, Marchand said that he’s proud to wear the C for the Bruins. Marchand takes over the captaincy for Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. Bergeron retired on July 25th and Chara was team captain from 2014-2020.

#3 Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele had 31 game season and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck are trying to focus on the coming 2023-24 season. Hellebuyck in his ninth season with the Jets this is the last year of his contract. Also Scheifele after this season becomes a unrestricted free agent. How important is it for the Jets to sign these two players?

#4 The Toronto Maple Leafs William Nylander has moved from right wing to center opening training camp on Thursday. Nylander according to Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is a high priority signing. Nylander is in the final season of his six year $41.4 million contract averaging $6.9 million a season.

#5 San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture is listed week to week with a lower body injury. Couture will miss the start of training camp and no doubt he’ll have to sit out some of the pre season games which starts Sep 24th. Couture was injured while training in the off season saying it frustrating and he’ll miss playing with the guys.

Join Len Shapiro Thursdays for the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruder: Three games out of NL Wild Card, four games with Dodgers in the Southland starts tonight

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The Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (left) gets the force out on the San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (right) in the bottom of the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The trip to Arizona is not all that it was cracked up to be. The Giants got swept in two games and fell back three games in the NL Wild Card.

#2 There was problem in the name of Corbin Carroll who hit his 25th home run and stole his 50th base for the Diamondbacks and just made things more difficult for the Giants.

#3 Carroll also used his glove against the Giants tracking down a left field line drive that helped wrap up the Diamondbacks six run win 7-1.

#4 Talk about Giants pitcher Logan Webb who gave up three runs on nine hits and just lost command of the D-Backs line up on Wednesday.

#5 The Giants will try again in Los Angeles as they take on the Dodgers for four games starting Thursday night. Starting pitcher for the Giants Kyle Harrison (1-5 ERA 5.18) for the Dodgers Emmett Sheehan (3-1 ERA 5.44) first pitch 7:10pm PT.

Stephen Ruderman filled in for Michael Duca who does the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Timbers edge Earthquakes 2-1 climb up to 8th in Western Conference

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Portland Timbers foward Cristhian Paredes battles San Jose Earthquakes defender Tanner Beason for a loose ball at Providence Park on Wednesday SEP 20, 2023. (Portland Timbers)

by Marko Ukalovic @MarkoUkalovic

Providence Park continues to be a house of horrors for the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Portland Timbers continued its dominance on their home turf against the ‘Quakes as they held on for a thrilling 2-1 victory on Wednesday evening.

Portland has won three matches in a row and are on a five-match point streak (4-0-1). San Jose had its three-match point streak snapped with the loss. The Timbers climbed up to eight place in the Western Conference with 39 points, one point behind the ‘Quakes who currently are in seventh place.

San Jose still has not been able to break the Providence Park curse as they have not won in 17 straight MLS matches in Portland with a record of 0-13-4.

Portland (10-11-9-39 points) controlled the majority of the possession in the first half as they spent the first half inside the San Jose’s zone generating quality scoring chances.

Late in the first half, San Jose (10-10-10-40 points) finally gained possession inside Portland’s zone attempting to take momentum away with a goal before halftime.

However, an errant pass led to a quick counterattack by the Timbers. Bryan Acosta got loose down the right wing before he centered a pass over to Cristhian Paredes who beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel to the far side with a sliding one-timer for his second goal of the season in the third minute of stoppage time right before halftime.

Portland doubled its lead in the 58th minute when Evander found himself at the right place at the right time. Sebastian Blanco’s shot attempted pinballed off two ‘Quakes defenders inside the box right over to Evander and the Brazilian midfielder chipped the ball over Daniel into the back of the net for his team leading ninth goal of the season.

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez immediately brought in Cade Cowell and Nico Tsakiris to bring in some fresh legs and energy to the offensive attack.

San Jose cut the deficit in half two minutes later when Jeremy Ebobisse lofted a pass from left to right over to Cristian Espinoza. The Argentine striker’s one-timer was saved by Timber’s goalkeeper David Bingham but the subsequent rebound was buried home by Matthew Hoppe for his first career MLS goal and first in a ‘Quakes kit.

Hoppe, who made his first start for San Jose, was moved to central midfielder when the Cowell and Tsakiris were subbed in as wingers, a position he grew up playing up until he was a teenager.

“Growing up my whole life, I played midfielder up until the age of 16 or 17 (years old),” said Hoppe after the match. “Then I moved on up to the striker role. So, I’m comfortable in the middle and I told Luchi (Gonzalez) that. There was some good takeaways from today and you just have to build it towards the next game.”

Despite the offensive push from San Jose late in the match, Portland was able to hold down the fort and escape with three points in a crowded race for the top nine in the Western Conference.

“We knew it was going to be difficult, this is a hard place to get points. We knew that coming in. We embraced it in our prep. We talked about enjoying it. Enjoying this environment and the pressure of these last games. I thought we could be better in the attacking third. We scored a rebound goal. We need more of those and a little bit more determination and final action that I know we have in us,” Gonzalez said.

Bingham finished the match with one save on two shots on net to earn the win. Daniel made four saves, including a diving one off of a free kick by Evander from just outside the box in the 25th minute to keep the game scoreless at the time, on six shots on goal in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. Portland had six.

Portland leads the overall series 17-6-10.

Cowell became the youngest player in MLS history to earn 100 MLS appearances.

Out of the 10 wins by Portland, eight of them have come at home.

The announced crowd at Providence Park was 21,518.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Nashville SC on Saturday 9/23 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Chiefs Mahomes highest paid player in NFL; Browns RB Chubb will be tough to replace; plus more news

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The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes encourages fans to voice their cheers in Jacksonville against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville on Sun Sep 17, 2023. Mahomes signed the NFL’s biggest contract on Tue Sep 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Jessica, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes became the highest paid player in NFL history getting a $210.6 million four year deal Mahomes passes up Baltimore Ravens quarterback’s deal of $208 million which pays LaMar Jackson through 2026.

#2 Jerome Ford is the featured running back now for the Cleveland Browns after running back Nick Chubb got a season ending knee injury on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Chubb had to be carted off the field. Ford carried 16 times for 106 yards. Browns head coach Jeff Stefanski said you can’t replace a running back like Chubb and said everybody has to do a little bit more.

#3 New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll whose Giants are coming off a win against the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday after getting crushed at the Meadowlands the week before by the Dallas Cowboys 40-0. Daboll is trying to avoid benching Saquon Barkley who suffered an ankle injury from last Sunday’s game. Daboll said he hasn’t ruled Barkely out of the line up for Thursday night yet or not.

#4 New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said that the 14 game losing streak against the New England Patriots is unacceptable. Wilson said on ESPN’s Bart and Hahn show that it’s time that things change around here. Wilson said he’s 0-2 against the Patriots. The Jets host the Patriots this Sunday and Wilson and the Jets will have their chance to snap that long skid.

#5 After playing in just 18 snaps the New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams is out with a hamstring injury according to Saints head coach Dennis Allen. Williams left in the first half. The Saints are without running backs Alvin Kamara currently on a suspension and Kendre Miller is inactive. The Saints are now down to a practice squad running back Tony Jones Jr.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Four run 7th does in Giants in 7-1 loss to D-Backs in Arizona; SF drops further back in NL Wild Card by 3.5 games

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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023

Chase Field

Phoenix, Arizona

San Francisco Giants 1 (76-76)

Arizona Diamondbacks 7 (81-72)

Win: Merrill Kelly (12-7)

Loss: Logan Webb (10-13)

Time: 2:30

Attendance: 16,848

By Stephen Ruderman

Photo courtesy of Rob Schumacher of the Arizona Republic

PHEONIX–The Diamondbacks completed a short two-game sweep of the Giants, further dashing the Giants’ already-dwindling playoff hopes. Arizona took game two on Wednesday 7-1 at Chase Field.

After dropping Tuesday night’s series opener, the Giants needed a win to stay afloat in the wild card race. They came into Wednesday’s game three games back of the Chicago Cubs for the third wild card, and three and a half games back of the Diamondbacks for the second wild card.

Giants Manager Gabe Kapler turned to his ace, Logan Webb, and Webb would be opposed by Merrill Kelly. LaMonte Wade stepped in, and led off the game with a home run in the first inning and just like the first inning Tuesday night, the Giants scored and struck first. 

However, the Diamondbacks struck back in the first off Webb, Corbin Carroll led off the bottom of the first inning with a base-hit; stole second; and got to third on a ground ball. With two outs, Christian Walker stepped in and hit a chopper to third that Giants’ third-baseman J.D. Davis charged, but couldn’t get Walker in time, which tied the game at 1-1.

Kelly set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, and Webb pitched a quick and quiet bottom of the second. The Giants wasted an opportunity in the top of the third, and then the Diamondbacks pounced in the bottom of the third.

Geraldo Perdomo grounded out to start the inning, but Corbin Carroll then singled; stole second; and advanced to third when Patrick Bailey’s throw sailed into center field. Katel Marte walked, and Tommy Pham just beat out the back end of a 6-4 fielder’s choice, which allowed Carroll to score and the Diamondbacks to take the lead. Christian Walker singled, and Alek Thomas doubled in Pham to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead.

From there, Merrill Kelly was on cruise control, as he pitched 1-2-3 innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth, and set down 11-straight batters he faced. As for Webb, he escaped trouble in the bottom of the fourth, and pitched quick and scoreless fifth and sixth innings. Webb ended up giving up just three runs over six innings, but like much of the season, the run support was not there.

“We’re all disappointed that we haven’t been able to support Webb with run support,” said Kapler. “It doesn’t take away from the excellent season that he’s had. [With] the innings that he’s been able to pile up, [as well as the] games he’s been able to keep in, he’s just been one of the best pitchers in baseball, and I don’t think that’s disputable.”

Michael Conforto laced a double down the right-field line to start the top of the seventh and give the Giants a chance. However, Luis Matos flew out to center, and Patrick Bailey moved Conforto to third on a ground out to second.

Wilmer Flores pinch-hit, and drew a walk, and that did it for Kelly, as Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo brought in Ryan Thompson to face Thairo Estrada. Estrada proceeded to strike out, as he lunged at a pitch in the dirt to end the inning, and it was another opportunity wasted for the Giants.

Ryan Walker came in for Webb in the bottom of the seventh, and the Diamondbacks made the Giants pay. Carroll and Marte led off the inning with back-to-back home runs, as for Carroll, it was his fourth hit of the day, and that would not be all for Arizona. 

Pham struck out swinging, but Christian Walker doubled to get another rally going. Alek Thomas struck out looking, and after Lourdes Guriel walked, Sean Hjelle, who was brought up this morning from Triple-A Sacramento, was brought in to replace Walker. Gabriel Moreno and Emmanuel Rivera each knocked in a run with back-to-back singles. That capped off a four-run inning for Arizona, as they opened their lead to 7-1.

Mike Yastrzemski drew his third walk of the game in the top of the eighth, but the Giants were unable to do anything with it. Hjelle pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, and then Kyle Nelson came in to set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth.

The Giants fall back to .500 at 76-76, as they have lost five of their last six to start this road trip. They have also gone 5-25 in their last 30 road games dating back to July 19. The Giants’ also fall to four and a half games behind the Diamondbacks, who won the season series, and thus hold any potential tiebreaker. The Giants are three and a half games back of the third wild card, the Cubs and the Marlins lost their games Wednesday night.

“The math is not on our side,” said Kapler. “Every game [left] is one that we have to win.”

The Giants’ season is now on life support, as they are three and four games back of the final wild card spot with 10 games to go. Things won’t get any easier, as they will be heading to Los Angeles for a four-game series, which will also be the final road series of the year for the Giants.

Notes:

  • The Giants have placed Alex Cobb on the 10-Day Injured List, and he will be out for the remainder of the season. Cobb has been pitching with an injured right hip over his last several starts. However, Cobb Left Tuesday Night’s game in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks after throwing two balls to start the bottom of the third inning. It was his first first start in eight days. Cobb made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, but he has struggled since August, going 1-4 with a 6.18 ERA in his last eight starts. Ryan Walker was also placed on the Injured List, and Kyle Harrison and Sean Hjelle were called up to take their places.
  • Brandon Crawford left the game in the third inning due to right hamstring tightness. Manager Gabe Kapler said it could be an IL situation.
  • Giants Director of Pitching Brian Bannister, who has been with the team since 2020, is expected to join the Chicago White Sox Front Office next season.

Mariners beat A’s 6-3 to sweep three-game series at Coliseum

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Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, middle, is congratulated by Teoscar Hernandez (35) after hitting a home run as Oakland Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom, right, looks on during the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Sep 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Seattle Mariners spoiled rookie pitcher Joey Estes’ Major League debut Wednesday afternoon. Estes went 4.2 innings, allowing six runs and six hits. Five of the six hits were for extra bases, two doubles, and three home runs. The Mariners, behind George Kirby’s seven innings, holding the A’s three runs, beat the A’s 6-3 to sweep the three-game series.

The M’s put two runs on the board at the top of the second. With one out, Tye France reached on Jordan Diaz’s fielding error. It was Diaz’s second error of the game. The next hitter, Dominic Canzone, homered to give the Mariners an early lead, 2-0.

Zack Gelof, leading off in the fourth, sent George Kirby’s pitch over the wall in center field to bring the A’s within a run of tying the game. The Mariners still lead 2-1 heading into the fifth inning. 

The M’s big boys put four more runs on the board in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. Hit by one of Estes’ pitches in the third, Julio Rodriguez exacted a degree of revenge by blasting his 31st home run of the year. The next hitter, catcher Cal Raleigh, who doubled in the first, homered for the 29th time to give the M’s a 4-1 lead. Seattle scored two more.

With one out, Eugenio Suarez doubled. Estes hit first baseman Ty France with a pitch. A’s manager, Mark Kotsay, removed Estes from the game. Adrian Martinez came in to pitch. The first batter Martinez faced, Dominic Canzone, who had homered in the second, doubled to drive in both runners. The M’s led 6-1 halfway through the fifth inning.

With two out in the bottom of the sixth, the A’s rallied to make it a 6-3 game. Seth Brown singled for the second time, and the A’s best power hitter this season, Brent Rooker, sent George Kirby’s 97 mile-per-hour out of the park. For Rooker, it was his 27th big fly of the year. 

Neither team scored in the final three innings. Seattle wins 6-3.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 46-106. They own the worst record in baseball. They have lost seven in a row and are sixty games under the .500 mark. They are close to exceeding the 1979 A’s team that lost 108 games, a team record.

The Mariners are now 84-68—the M’s kept pace with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. The Astros are just 1/2 game ahead of the Rangers and the Mariners in the race for first place in the AL West.

The Line score for Oakland was three runs, eight hits, and two errors. Joey Estes was the losing pitcher. The 21-year-old Estes was the fifth A’s pitcher this year to debut in 2023. Estes’ line was 4.2 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, six hits, three of which were home runs, two walks, and two strikeouts. Estes threw 90 pitches, 60 were strikes.

The Line for Seattle was six runs, eight hits, and no errors. George Kirby was the winning pitcher. Kirby’s record improved to 11-10.

Julio Rodriguez. Cal Raleigh and Dominic Canzone homered for Seattle. Canzone had a double and a home run and drove in four runs. 

Zack Gelof and Brent Rooker homered for the A’s. Rooker had two RBIs. 

The A’a are 0-6 on the ten-game homestand. Oakland will host the Detroit Tigers for four games starting Thursday night. Luis Medina (3-9 ERA 5.56) will pitch for Oakland. The Tigers will send lefty Tarik Skubal (6-3 ERA 3.25) to the mound to face the A’s. The game will start at 6:40 p.m at the Oakland Coliseum.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Home season almost over as A’s get swept again; Four game series with Tigers starts Thursday night at Coliseum

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Joey Estes, left, reacts after allowing a home run to Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh, right, during the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Sep 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 5602 fans came out to see the Seattle Mariners sweep the Oakland A’s in three games. Wednesday afternoon was no exception in the series as the M’s came out and just had another offensive afternoon with a 6-3 win

#2 The Mariners in the top of the second saw Dominic Canzone belt a two run home run to give Seattle a 2-0 off A’s rookie pitcher Joey Estes.

#3 In the bottom of the fourth the A’s Zack Gelof crushed his 13th home run of the season off M’s starter George Kirby to close the score to one run 2-1.

#4 It was the top of the sixth the M’s put some distance between them and A’s starter Estes. Julio Rodriquez hit a 389 foot home run to center right, Cal Raleigh followed up hitting a 398 foot home run to right field to make it 4-1 and the M’s Canzone hit a double to left field scoring Ty France and Eugenio Suarez making it 6-1.

#5 In the top of the sixth the A’s Brent Rooker hit his 27th home run of the season a 410 foot belt to deep center scoring Seth Brown and the A’s cut the lead in half 6-3.

#6 The A’s open a four game series on Thursday night against the Detroit Tigers. Starting for Detroit Tarik Skubal (6-3 ERA 3.25) and for Oakland right hander Luis Medina (3-9 ERA 5.56) first pitch at 6:40pm PT at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jerry Feitelberg is Oakland A’s reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal with Jerry Feitelberg: Taylor trying to right Stanford ship and prepare for Arizona for Saturday

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Stanford head coach Troy Taylor disputes a call during the first half against the USC Trojans on Sat Sep 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, the Cardinal went onto loose to the Sacramento State Hornets on Sat Sep 16, 2023 at Stanford and host the Arizona Wildcats on Sat Sep 23, 2023 at Stanford Stadium (AP News photo)

On the Pac 12 podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (1-2) continued their struggles as they were beaten by the Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23. Former Hornets head coach and current Stanford head coach Troy Taylor was beaten by his former team the Hornets for the Cardinal second loss in week 3.

#2 The Hornets had a key second quarter scoring two touchdowns against the Cardinal and coming away with a 20-14 lead at the half.

#3 Hornets quarterback Kaiden Barnett refused to loose as he threw for 279 yards, going 21-33 for one touchdown and two interceptions. Barnett once again leads the Hornets to another win and Sacramento State goes up 3-0.

#4 The Cardinals on the other hand continues to struggle executing the red zone they have seen the worst of times this season getting whipped by the USC Trojans in week 2 56-10 and losing by a touchdown last Saturday to the Hornets.

#5 It’s week 4 for Stanford as they try and regroup, try and get a game plan to prepare for the Arizona Wildcats who dominated in their two wins this season beating Miss State 31-24 on Sat Sep 9th and UTEP on Sat 16th, 31-10. Do you see the Cardinal with their hands full this Sat with the Wildcats at Stanford Stadium?

Jerry Feitelberg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden Gate Fields podcast with Augie Mesenburg: After extension is this it for Golden Gate Field race track

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Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze, right, riding Two Step Cat crosses the finish line to win his 10,000th race at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif., Jan. 1, 2008. Golden Gate Fields announced that it has extended horse racing and instead of closing in October 2023 will close July 2024. (AP file photo)

Horse Racing podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Augie, how encouraging has it got to be for horse racing fans, employees, and front office staff that Golden Gate Fields in Albany/Berkeley has extended it time instead of closing up shop in October extending it to June?

#2 Augie, I know I asked you off the air but is there anyway you see that Golden Gate Fields can avoid closing it’s doors permanently or is 1st Racing set on closing the long time track down.

#3 Aidan Butler the Chief Executive of Golden Fields said the track will be applying for race track dates for the summer of 2024.

#4 Butler and First Racing said it’s certain that July will be the last month of horse racing at Golden Gate Fields if there is no miracle to save the track.

#5 Augie, you had the chance to work with everyone at the track over the years the jockeys, trainers, owners, fans, front office people and from their perspective how surprising did this news come and how dependent are the employees on working at Golden Gate Fields?

Augie Mesenburg was a former employee at Golden Gate Fields and is a business representative for the Golden Gate union employees

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Troy forecasts how Sharks players will do for upcoming season

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San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture (39) scores on Winnipeg Jets goaltender David Rittich (33) during overtime in Winnipeg on Mon Mar 6, 2023. Couture had 27 goals for the Sharks last season. (Canadian Press photo via AP)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast:

#1 Troy we’ll take a look at each key player on the roster and get your take on how you see them doing for the season, center Logan Couture last season had 27 goals, 40 assists, 67 points

#2 William Eklund lots is expected out of Eklund who played only eight games, scored two goals and had one assist.

#3 In 79 games played Tomas Hertl scored 22 goals, had 41 assists for 63 points at center.

#4 After seven seasons Kevin Labanc comes into the 2023-24 season playing 72 games last season, scoring 15 goals, 18 assists, with 33 total points.

#5 Center Nico Sturm last season played in 74 games, 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points how do you see him going into camp and what kind of season do you expect him to have?

Join Troy Ewers for the San Jose Sharks podcasts during the 2023-24 season at