Category: San Jose Sharks

Sharks drop second exhibition game lose to Ducks 4-3 at SAP

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The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks battled at the SAP Center in San Jose in the second exhibition game for the Sharks Tue Sep 24, 2024. The Sharks face off against the Ducks once more this Thu Sep 26, 2024 (photo from The Hockey News)

San Jose started strong but could not keep the lead throughout the game.

By Fernando Abarca

The San Jose Sharks were back in action this Tuesday night after losing 4-2 over the Golden Knights. The Sharks hosted the Anaheim Ducks, the teal team was ready to brush things off and move on. During a horrendous 2nd period the Sharks could not find answers and added another loss at home and now go on the road for revenge at Honda Center next Thursday night.

San Jose and Anaheim shared the same experiences from last year as both teams ranked worst in the Western Conference. Both teams are undergoing a series of changes, and the team is being rebuilt around young talent. The significance of the game was to see whose team is doing better and has the best chance to do well in the regular season.

The Sharks scored two PowerPlay goals and a wrist shot during the first period. 

During the first period, the game started plagued with penalties as Anaheim’s Tyson Hinds slashed F. Zetterlund and Urho Vaakanainen received a penalty against Scott Sabourin for high-sticking. The Sharks did not fall behind as Colin White received a high-sticking penalty against Scott Sabourin.

During the periods, mitts were dropped on the ice as Travis Howe and Scott Sabourin got in a tilt on the ice receiving a penalty. 

The first period seemed like a dream for San Jose scoring two goals, the first coming when the clock ticked 11:59, Alexander Wennberg scored the first of the night assisted by F. Zetterlund and J. Walman.

San Jose’s second goal did not take too long as Danil Gushchin netted the second one making a margin of 2-0 for San Jose. The Teal team seemed to take care of business heading to the 1st intermission and relieving the pressure.

During the second period, San Jose netted the final of the night when, on a powerplay, San Jose scored less than a minute at the start of the second period when Jack Thompson sealed the 3-0 for the home team.

The night turned upside down and became a nightmare. Anaheim came in full strength and I took advantage of all the advantages to be able to come back epically and forcefully over San Jose

The 3-0 result seemed like something that did not bother the visitors. The mentality played a significant factor and they knew how to overcome adversity.

Anaheim’s Carson Meyer, Yegor Sidorov, Brett Leason, and Mark Pysyk were the ones who orchestrated the comeback against San Jose. Anaheim scored two power plays leaving San Jose’s penalty kill very frowned upon

The mood in the SAP center was very fleeting.

Entering the third period, the result was 4-2, a result in which San Jose could tie but the 20 minutes were not enough, and without much action, the Anaheim team maintained the victory and San Jose could not find the answers.

With this game, the team adds its second loss, and questions begin to arise about how the team will be looking as the regular season approaches. The Sharks will be on the road for their back-to-back games with Anaheim this Thursday night.

San Jose returns to home ice on Tuesday, Oct. 1st against the newly relocated Utah Hockey Club.

San Jose Loses Preseason Opener 4-2 while the Rookies Start Shining for the Teal

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San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (71) and the Las Vegas Knights forward Gage Quinney (72) face off in NHL exhibition action at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 22, 2024 (Getty photo)

By Fernando Abarca

Hockey is Back and the wait is over San Jose Sharks kicks off the preseason against Vegas Golden Knights but not as expected.

SAN JOSE – Six months felt like forever as a new chapter for this hockey organization began, all eyes will be put on the teal team as we go closer to real-time. The San Jose Sharks hosted the 2023 Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, this Sunday evening.

After all the noise back in June with the NHL draft, the teams are getting situated and planning for a chance to hoist Lord Stanley. The Sharks are still catching up after getting the number one pick in the draft, Macklin Celebrinni the team teal expects a turnaround from last season.

The final score was 4-2 in favor of the visitors showing their dominance, especially in the offense where physicality and aggressiveness outplay a young and inexperienced but over time can provide support for bigger things, as they demonstrated by winning the rookie showcase a couple of days ago.

The figure of the night for the San Jose team was the number one prospect in the league, Macklin Celebrini, who scored a goal on the power play with his teammate Tyler Toffoli who last played in Winnipeg last season, it demonstrated chemistry and what can we see as the regular season unfolds.

FIRST PERIOD

During the first period,  the Golden Nights started strong and aggressive as I mentioned before trying to take all possible advantages. It was already known that the Vegas team was not coming with so many novelties.

One point to pay attention to in this game was the offense that cost dearly in the first period when only 7 minutes into the first period. Las Vegas forward C. Burke marked the first warning sign of the night for the locals assisted by Christopher Sedoff and Brendan Brisson where the unfortunate case was the deflection that gave the advantage to Vegas. 

The San Jose team tried to stay firm and try to look for an opportunity. In the 10th minute, spirits were raised with a shot at goal but it fell into the net for which the referee pointed out that it was not a goal. The first period continued without much news in which the home team began to be affected by penalties.

SECOND PERIOD

In the second period, the visitors had a clear mind and were to maintain the advantage on the scoreboard and this is how it happened. 

During the second period, the visitors scored two goals to leave the lead 3 – 0 over the locals who were looking to find answers to Las Vegas’ goaltending which was doing its job very well.

In the same way, as it happened in the first period, after 7 minutes of the period, Vegas forward 

Brendan Howden without complications and with all the time and space in the world scored the second goal of the night 

With a 2 – 0 lead The Sharks were beginning to look desperate and rethinking what their next move would be.

7 minutes later the third goal for the Knights came with a beautiful play executed by Mason Morelli and Jakub Brabenec allowing Thomas Uronen to seal his goal of the night.

THIRD PERIOD.

The moment that everyone was waiting for and for which expectations remained alive, was the moment to shine for the future promise of the Sharks, Macklin Celebrini scoring his first-ever goal for the Sharks which he was assisted by L. Cagnoni and by M Granlund.

Celebrini’s goal raised the spirits of the people at the SAP Center hoping that they could turn it around. The momentum did not stop there, the second goal for the Sharks came just seconds after Sharks Forward, Tyler Toffoli scored the second goal of the night for the Sharks, leaving the score at one point.

The most significant of those minutes was how the team performed in the powerplay, demonstrating the danger of this team, and the potential that San Jose can create, with team and preparation the PowerPlay can be seriously dangerous.

At the end of the night, an empty goal by T. Pearson buried any hopes of taking it to overtime for San Jose. The late reaction and errors cost the game for San Jose, but the defeat also shows the points to improve and refine the good things that can be salvaged from this game.

After the game, Tyler Toffoli and Macklin Celebrini addressed media to provide their take aways.

“I think there is a lot a good feeling, getting my first game, and go out there and play, like I said I have so many good things on the third and had a chance to tie

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Couture injury will keep him out, but will remain team captain; Thornton #19 sweater to be raised in rafters this season

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San Jose Sharks Logan Couture (39) future is not known as he battles an injury that he has had since last season. Couture could very well end up sitting out most or all of the season again this year. (@Logancouture X photo)

On the SJ Sharks with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks who play their first pre season game are concerned about all the injuries they’ve had in camp. But we’ll start with Logan Couture who missed a majority of last season. Tried to recover from an off season injury he had before last season and just couldn’t get tracked.

#2 Couture in the off months went home in July to spend some time with his family wanted to rehab and start skating but has put that idea off for now as he tries to work his Osteitis which is giving him pain in the groin area.

#3 Couture 35 has two years left on his contract is not sure if he’ll play again and it’s a question if Couture can return and play at an NHL level again?

#4 Couture said that he would like to return to play hockey which he had done all his life but cannot in the last 15 months he could face the prospect of retiring. Sharks general manager Mike Grier says that Couture will remain team captain no matter what happens.

#5 It’s going to be a great send off for former Sharks Jumbo Joe Thornton. Thornton will have his #19 sweater raised and hung in the rafters at SAP Center in San Jose this season. It’s got to be a thrill and a moment for Thornton who played for the Sharks from 2006-2020.

Mary Lisa does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Let the showcasing begin; On display San Jose’s Celebrini and Will Smith; Pacioretty not giving up trying to make Leafs in tryout; plus more NHL news

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Macklin Celegrini of the San Jose Sharks (71) scored against the Utah Hockey Team in the third period in the prospect tournament game at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo on Fri Sep 13, 2024 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 No.1 NHL draft pick center Macklin Celebrini is expected to play a huge role in his rookie season. Celebrini will be joined by center Will Smith who was selected No.4 in the 2023 NHL draft.

#2 He’s not giving up the former Montreral Canadien superstar Max Pacioretty signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty last played for the Washington Capitals in 47 games, scored four goals, 19 assists, and 23 points. Pacioretty is 35 years old is he at the end of the line or can he help the Leafs this season?

#3 21 years old Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils injured his left shoulder during off season training. Hughes will be out from six to eight weeks. Hughes will not need surgery. Hughes is New Jersey’s lead defenseman who has 49 points, ten goals and 39 assists last season.

#4 It was the first time ever that the Utah Hockey Team took the ice in their inaugural season during the prospects tournament game in El Segundo. For Utah to land an NHL team came under the most unusual circumstances as the Arizona Coyotes just couldn’t land a permanent arena after playing at Arizona State University and the Coyotes were forced to sell the team to Utah Hockey Team owner Ryan Smith. The Utah Hockey Team lost in that first game 3-2 to the Sharks.

#5 The New York Islanders Maxim Tsyplakov is out to make a strong impression. Tysplakov signed a one year deal as a free agent on May 16. Tsyplakov 25 has stood out amongst the rookies, free agents and players trying to make the team. “It’s clear that he’s a little more physically mature than a lot of guys out there,” said Rick Kowalsky, coach of Bridgeport, New York’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

First overall pick Macklin Celebrini officially signs with San Jose Sharks

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The Sharks made some big news today by announcing that they have officially signed first overall pick Macklin Celebrini to an entry-level contract.

With the signing the Sharks have made the decision for Celebrini to join the Sharks right away rather than having him spend another year playing at Boston University.

Before the signing there was some thought that he may return to college but after impressing Mike Grier and others he has decided to go pro.

“Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident and intelligent young man off it,” said Grier (From San Jose Sharks).

Celebrini’s season at Boston University before he was drafted was extremely impressive as he put up 64 points in 38 games played. For his impressive play he was awarded the Hobey Baker Trophy as the best NCAA men’s hockey player.

The day before the Sharks officially announced Celebrini signing his ELC the Sharks held their annual prospect scrimmage. The event was held at Tech CU Arena and was the first time Sharks fans had the opportunity in person to watch Celebrini in action.

Not only is Celebrini making his debut next season, but so is Will Smith who went fourth overall in last year’s draft.

This offseason has certainly brought plenty of hope back to San Jose who now arguably has one of the best prospect pools in the NHL.

Sharks fans will have to wait till October 10th to see Celebrini play regular season hockey when the Sharks open their season against the St. Louis Blues.

Sharks Load Up on Defense in Rounds 2-7 of 2024 NHL Draft

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Igor Chernyshov, Dynamo Moscow (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks used nine picks in the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28-29. After selecting center Macklin Celebrini and defenseman Sam Dickinson on Friday, the Sharks used seven more picks on Saturday. Among the prospects they selected were three defenseman, two goaltenders and two wingers.

With the first pick of the second round, the Sharks selected LW Igor Chernyshov. The 6’3” 204 lb 18 year old winger was born in Penza, Russia. He played for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL last season. In 34 games he had three goals and an assist.

With their second pick of the second round, the 53rd overall, the Sharks selected defensemen Leo Sahlin Wallenius. Born in Skövde, Sweden, Sahlin Wallenius played for the Växjö Lakers HC J20 last season. In 43 games, he scored 11 goals and 31 assists.

The Sharks had one pick in the third round, the 82nd overall. The Sharks traded with the New Jersey Devils to get this pick, moving up three spots. They used the pick to get RW Carson Wetsch. 17 year old from North Vancouver. Wetsch played for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL last season, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists. He is also a cousin of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, though Wetsch’s style of play has not been compared to RNH.

The Sharks had one fourth round pick, 116 overall, and they used that on Swiss goaltender Christian Kirsch. Kirsch is listed as somewhere between 6’2” and 6’4”, depending on which prospect list you look at. On the NHL’s prospect rankings, he was 17th among international goaltenders.

In the fifth round, the Sharks had two picks. They used both for defensemen. At 131 overall, they chose Colton Roberts from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Listed at 6’4” and 204 lbs, one of his most notable skills is his skating., Roberts was ranked 36th among North American skaters in the NHL Prospect rankings, and some expected him to go in the second or third round.

At 143, the Sharks chose Nate Misskey from the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Passed over last season, Misskey is 19 years old. NHL.com said: “Misskey (6-3, 210) plays a physical style, offers great compete and knows how to find an open man with good passes. The 19-year-old right-handed shot is No. 89 on Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.” (2024 Draft: Prospects Passed Over in 2023)

The Sharks had one final pick, in the seventh round. At 194 overall, the Sharks selected Russian goaltender Yaroslav Korostelyov. Korostelyov was not listed in the NHL’s prospect rankings. He played for SKA St. Petersburg’s Junior team and is listed at 6’1”, 161 lbs.

NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: A huge celebration for Celebrini No.1 NHL draft pick joins Sharks

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Macklin Celebrini addresses the press at the Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL on Mon Jun 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 What a way to kick off the off season with the San Jose Sharks selecting the No.1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft out of Boston University Macklin Celebrini.

#2 The big question is will Celebrini finish at Boston College or will he turn pro in this upcoming 2024-25 season and skate with the Sharks.

#3 Mary, if you look at the job that last season’s No.1 pick Connor Bedard and what he did for the Chicago Blackhawks this is something that the Sharks would hope for do you see that as a strong possibility?

#4 After the Sharks dealt Erik Karlsson and Thomas Hertl, Celebrini is a player they look forward to build around.

#5 Mary, talk about the anticipation, the anxiousness, the announcement once it was made that Macklin Celebrini long anticipated No.1 draft pick and now the moment had arrived. What was that like for Celebrini to what it actually happened that he would be joining the Sharks for this 2024-25 season?

Mary Lisa is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Select Celebrini 1st Overall in 2024 NHL Draft

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Macklin Celebrini, second from left, poses after being selected by San Jose Sharks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

By Mary Walsh

For the first time in their 33-year history, the San Jose Sharks held the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. On Friday, they used that pick to select Macklin Celebrini, 18 year old center from Boston University. That he would be selected first this year was widely expected. Joe Thornton announced the selection for the Sharks.

Celebrini is just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, and led the Canadian team in scoring in the World Junior Championships this year. The 6’, 197 lb center is reputed to be highly skilled at both ends of the rink.

After being selected, Celebrini said, of having his name called by Joe Thornton: “It’s super exciting he made the pick. Sharks legend and NHL legend, so that was real exciting.”

Celebrini played with the Junior Sharks, but was born in Vancouver, BC. His family came to the Bay Area after his father, Rick Celebrini, became the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors.

The Sharks also had the eleventh overall pick, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 14th and 42nd overall picks. The Sharks used this second first rounder to select defenseman Sam Dickinson from the OHL’s London Knights. The 18 year old, 6’3” defenseman had 18 goals and 52 assists in 68 games this season.

After being selected, Dickinson said that he did not really start out as a defenseman. “I started my career I guess as a goalie. I was cut from the same team three years in a row and they needed a back up goalie so I was there for that.” The general view of his skills as a defenseman have improved considerably since that time.

The Sharks and General Manager Mike Grier released the following statement after the first round:

“It’s a big weekend for the organization,” said Grier. “We’re really excited. Not only with Macklin (Celebrini), but with Sam (Dickinson) too. The potential to add a top pairing (defenseman) and a first-line center doesn’t come along too often in one draft. It’s a big moment for us and we’re really excited.”

The Sharks have seven more picks to use on Saturday.

Mary Walsh is covering the NHL Draft at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks part ways with head coach Quinn head trainer Tufts

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San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn stands behind the bench during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Thu Mar 14, 2024. Quinn was fired by the Sharks on Wed Apr 24, 2024 (AP file photo)

By Mary Walsh

On Wednesday morning, the Sharks announced that Head Coach David Quinn and Head Athletic Trainer Ray Tufts would not be returning next season. In their press release, the Sharks said:

“After going through our end of the season process of internal meetings and evaluating where our team is at and where we want our group to go, we have made the difficult decision to make a change at the head coach position,” said Grier. “David is a good coach and an even better person. I would like to personally thank him for his hard work over these past two seasons. He and his staff did an admirable job under some difficult circumstances, and I sincerely appreciate how they handled the situation.”

The reasons for parting ways were not purely performance-related. That is evident from what Mike Grier said as recently as last Saturday at the end of season media availability:

“I think the staff up here did a good job communicating and motivating the players throughout the year. I don’t think they ever, you know, it would have been easy to just kind of throw your hands up and not put the effort in, to go through extra video sessions and talk with the players and try and get the players better. So I think they did a really good job with that kind of in this situation. I think it was something that was needed and that they should be proud of.”

On Saturday, Grier explained how the season was worse than he had expected, but did not put a finger on one specific problem, like coaching:

“Overall it was not what I expected, I’m sure what they expect in the room for various different reasons. I give the group credit, I told them they came in here, they were positive. They got along and the coaches deserve credit for that too., kind of keeping the guys on track, staying positive and motivating them. You know, you’ve seen situations, in not just hockey but all sports, where teams in this situation where it kind of goes off the rails and things get bad and you hear guys bickering and not getting along. But the guys came here and worked every day.”

Grier went so far as to say that this season was rock bottom:

“I hope so. If this isn’t I don’t know what is. I mean it was a difficult season. Like I kind of said earlier, it was worse than I expected coming into the season. I didn’t think we were a playoff team but I thought we’d be better than we were. From the start we had to the injuries everything just kind of snowballed. So yes I would hope this is rock bottom and we can kind of progress and take some steps forward next year.”

The Sharks also announced on Tuesday that long time Head Athletic Trainer Ray Tufts would not be returning:

“Ray spent more than two decades overseeing the care and well-being of our players,” said Grier. “We thank him for his service to the organization and our players and wish him and his family the best in the future.”

Mary Lisa is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Lose Last Game of Season 5-1 to Flames

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The Calgary Flames forward Matthew Caronato (27) stops a shot by the San Jose Sharks goaltender Devin Cooley (1) at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Thu Apr 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost their final game of the season 5-1 to the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Adam Klapka, Blake Coleman, Oliver Kylington, Kevin Rooney and Mackenzie Weegar scored for the Flames. Dustin Wolf made 16 saves in the win. Fabian Zetterlund scored the lone Sharks goal. Devin Cooley made 18 saves for the Sharks before being pulled. Georgi Romanov made 14 saves in relief. The Sharks finished the season with a record of 19-55-9.

Mikael Granlund finished the season on a 13 game point streak. The game was also noteworthy for being the first to see two Bay Area born goaltenders start in an NHL game. After the game, Devin Cooley said, of playing against Wolf:

“I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been following him for a while, obviously, in the American League. He’s had a great career so far and it’s really awesome to see how far youth hockey has come in Northern California and in the Bay Area. It was really cool to be able to play against him tonight and I hope we continue to see more guys from the Bay Area make the NHL.”

Fabian Zetterlund played his 82nd game of the season, the only Shark to do so this season. Of this accomplishment, Zetterlund said: “I mean, obviously that’s nice, you know, I feel fresh every game. I try to stay in shape, ready to go every night. That was my goal before the season and, yeah, I made it.”

Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said, of the season’s final games:

“We’ve made a lot of changes, there’s a lot of new faces here. It’s tough to learn on the go, in a short period of time, what’s expected of you. You know, it’s just hard. But we’re not the only team that’s gone through it. As I’ve said repeatedly, we’re in a situation where we kind of understood that this was going to be a difficult year but we will be better for it moving forward.”

All of the Flames goals came in the first two periods, not unlike the Sharks loss on Monday. Adam Klapka scored his first NHL goal at 12:13 of the first period. His wrist shot through traffic gave Calgary the lead.

Blake Coleman made it 2-0, redirecting a shot from Connor Zary. The goal came at 14:40, just as a Flames power play expired. Assists went to Zary and Rasmus Andersson.

The Sharks were outshot 16-5 in the first period. Early in the second period, Givani Smith and Adam Klapka squared off for a fight. Klapka lost his balance in the fight and both retired to the penalty box.

Oliver Kylington made it 3-0 about a minute after the fight. Andrew Mangiapane acted as a screen for Kylington’s shot from above the faceoff circle. An assist went to Andrei Kuzmenko.

Kevin Rooney made it 4-0 at 5:59. His shot from the slot went through several Sharks defenders and into the far side of the net. Assists went to Martin Pospisil and Matt Coronato.

MacKenzie Weegar scored the Flames’ fifth goal of the night at 6:56, for a total of three goals scored in 3:03 of play. It was another shot through traffic that went by Cooley on the glove side. Assists went to Daniil Miromanov and Blake Coleman.

The Sharks pulled Cooley after that goal and put Georgi Romanov in net. Romanov stopped all the shots he faced for the remained of the game. The Sharks were outshot 13-6 in the second period and 8-6 in the third.

Fabian Zetterlund scored a power play goal in the final ten seconds of the game. He scored his 24th goal of the season with a wrist shot from the faceoff circle. Assists went to Mikael Granlund and Collin Graf.

Mary Lisa Walsh is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com