Tag: Erik Karlsson

San Jose Sharks podcast Fernando Abarca: Sharks looking for Celebrini and Eklund to lead the charge

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San Jose Sharks William Eklund seen here firing the puck against the Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (left) and Wild center Marco Rossi (23) in the second period at the Target Center on Sun Oct 26, 2025. Eklund is expected to a have a big offensive season. (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Fernando Abarca:

#1 How has rookie forward Macklin Celebrini performed in the early part of the 2025-26 season, and what milestone did he achieve in his recent stretch?

#2 What were the career-high numbers put up by forward William Eklund in the 2024-25 season, and how did the team respond contract-wise?

#3 Veteran winger Tyler Toffoli had a recent slump. What broke that slump and how have his contributions looked in his role so far this season?

#4 Former San Jose Shark Defenseman Erik Karlsson was mentioned as having a tougher time in recent deployment. What metric was used to highlight his struggles?

#5 Which Sharks rookie forward besides Celebrini showed strong multi-point streaks and shot totals recently, and how is his development characterised?

Fernando Abarca is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Thompson week to week for Sabres; Canucks Soucy out 6-8 weeks with lower body injury; plus more news

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The Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson is week to week due to a upper body injury he got playing against the Boston Bruins on Tue Nov 14, 2023 (AP News file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson is listed as week to week with an upper body injury that he sustained against the Boston Bruins. Thompson stopped a shot from the Bruins Charlie McAvoy in the second period. The Sabres were on the penalty kill. Thompson was came up injured in the Buffalo zone Thompson did tough it out through the play and left the game at 11:05.

#2 Vancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy who blocked a shot from the Montreal Canadiens with his left foot. Soucy is listed out for the next six to eight weeks with a lower body injury. Soucy missed the first two games this season and now will miss almost two months of play.

#3 Len, anytime you lose your goaltender the head coach, the goalie coach, and the rest fall in line of worry what will they do next. The Washington Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper was injured in practice when he was hit by a puck in an unprotected are of his leg from a shot in practice. Caps head coach Spencer Harbery said it’s not an ideal situation and it was a shot from behind Kuemper that hit him said Harbery.

#4 Len, the Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart had an impressive return. Hart was out with an injury for the last two weeks came back and stopped 31 shots against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena in Carolina. Hart was crucial between the pipes on his return who was out due to a back injury and missed five games since Nov 1st against the Buffalo Sabres in a 5-2 loss.

#5 The Pittsburgh Penguins Kris Letang is one point short of reaching his 700th career point. Letang would become the 29th NHL player to join the 700 career points club. Letang is the third active NHL player that would have 700 point joining Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (844 points, 248 goals and 596 assists) and the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (776 points, 183 goals and 593 assists). Ironically Len the two players with well over 700 career points are both defenseman in Burns and Karlsson two former San Jose Sharks.

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

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Matthews picks up hat trick and 100th career goal in Leafs win; Skjei scores game winner for Canes; plus more NHL news

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The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews (34) gets congratulated by his teammates in the third period. Matthews ended up scoring a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews scored a hat trick and had a quite a night and also scored his 300th career goal. Matthews got the tying goal and the Leafs later defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

#2 Defenseman Brady Skjei scored a goal and got an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes to come back on the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena in Carolina on Wednesday for a 5-3 win. The Hurricanes got a goal each from Jordan Staal, Michael Bunting, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jacob Slavin.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal in a loss to the Boston Bruins, The Bruins David Pastrnak scored two goals. It was the Bruins 100th season and they won their opener 3-1 at TD Waterhouse Garden in Boston.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights Brett Howden was suspended for putting a head check to the head of the Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tenev at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas. Howden rather than go low or below the shoulder for the check hit Tenev helmet to helmet which turned Tenev’s head and the NHL ruled it an illegal check. As a consequence Howden has been suspended for tonight’s game in San Jose and the next game on Sat 14th in Anaheim.

#5 In what many oddsmakers predict the San Jose Sharks will have a worse season this season than last year. The Sharks struggled all last season and that was with the help of former defenseman Erik Karlsson who is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This year they have to depend on a handful of veterans, Marc- Edouard Vlasic, Nico Sturm, Logan Couture, Ryan Carpenter, and Thomas Hertl as they open tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights in San Jose.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bedard anxious to get started for Blackhawks; Oilers McDavid says winning cup will complete his legacy; plus much more

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The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard tunes up at training camp in this Sep 5, 2023 photo. Bedard is the biggest hyped NHL player to come up since the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid broke into the league. Fans and the media got a chance to look at Bedard and the Blackhawks on Thu Sep 28, 2023 when they faced off against the St Louis Blues (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he can’t wait to get started for the Hawks. Bedard so far has played in a rookie prospect game, had one week of training camp and played in two scrimmage games. In the Western Hockey League last season Bedard lit up the lamp with 71 goals, 143 shots on goals, for 360 points.

#2 Can Bedard be that one player that can fulfill the need for the Blackhawks who dealt Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers and Jonathan Towes is out for this season and wants to come back next season at 35 years old.

#3 The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid said winning the Stanley Cup would fulfill his legacy as one of the game’s greatest all time players saying “the greats have won and that’s what you have to do.” Can McDavid and the Oilers have a shot at doing it this season?

#4 The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will be out after having back surgery for ten weeks. Vasilevskiy’s surgery was successful to treat a lumbar disk herniation. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said there was no long term concern, that the surgery was a success and he looks forward to Vasilevskiy’s return.

#5 At practice on Thursday the Pittsburgh Penguins were getting a look at defenseman Erik Karlsson as Kris Letang was shifted to the left flank and said that after playing left flank after 17 seasons it’s going to take some getting used to. Karlsson meantime said he’s trying to get on the same page with his All Star caliber teammates Sid Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Richard Rakell.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: With Couture out Sharks looking for shot in arm on offense

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San Jose Sharks center and team captain Logan Couture is out with a lower body injury for the rest of camp and pre season. His return could be when the regular season starts Thu Oct 12, 2023

SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary Lisa, The first day of camp everybody usually is pretty positive about the upcoming season but when the news was dropped that center and team captain Logan Couture would miss camp and pre season games it gives some doubt in the dressing room about team direction doesn’t it?

#2 The Sharks got the news one hour into the first day of camp that Couture would be out with a lower body injury. With Couture out of the line up what does the offense look like and will enough practices and pre season games help find an answer for his absence?

#3 The odds makers are saying this upcoming season could be the worst start in Sharks history since they broke into the league as an expansion team in 1991-92.

#4 The Sharks who will not be able to lean on former teammates defenseman Erik Karlsson (now with Pittsburgh) and last year’s top scorer Timo Meier (New Jersey Devils) and the way things are looking they might see a difference in their absence right off the next face off?

#5 Nico Strum said there are nine guys with expiring contracts and there is going to be more turnover expected and this rebuild is going to take a while. No doubt there will be an adjustment period.

Mary Lisa does the San Jose Sharks podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks defense has big skates to fill without Karlsson around anymore; Duclair expected to be a big part of the Sharks offense

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Anthony Duclair a former Florida Panther slides on his back in his effort to reach the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals at T Mobile in Las Vegas on Mon Jun 5, 2023. Duclair is expected to be a big part of the San Jose Sharks offense this season (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy when you take a look at the rumor mills of the San Jose Sharks wanting to trade Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier last season and they eventually did how much was it a distraction for the team in that last month of the season?

#2 The Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks both of whom dealt Erik Karlsson away looking back for both teams do you see them having regret in letting Karlsson go?

#3 How much do you see Karlsson complimenting the Pittsburgh Penguins defense going into this season with the talents of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?

#4 How much will the Sharks feel it by missing Karlsson and his 101 points for a defenceman in the line up?

#5 Anthony Duclair is expected to add a lot to the offense, he’s a scorer and this is a negotiation year for Duclair so he’ll be working hard to light the lamp. He was key for the Florida Panthers during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals last season.

Troy Ewers covers the San Jose Sharks for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks put hopes on Hoffman, Duclair and Blackwood for 23-24 season

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Winnipeg Jets’ Cole Perfetti (91) turns after scoring a goal against New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Newark, N.J. MacKenzie who plays goalie for San Jose is preparing for the pre season (AP News photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy there’s no doubt that the SJ Sharks have a lot stacked against them from making the playoffs this season. They struggled even when they had Erik Karlsson now they can expect to struggle even more without him.

#2 Last season the Sharks had goaltenders James Reimer and Kaapo Kahkonen and they had a rough seasons.

#3 The Sharks in their save percentage had .881 and that was 2% less than the rest of the league where the average was .899 and they need to bring that up

#4 For Kahkonen he needs to be able to stop the shot and have the kind of season he had in the early part of last year. MacKenzie Blackwood needs to execute the kind of performance that got him to the NHL in the first place.

#5 The loss of Timo Meier last season hurts the team and the Sharks are looking at Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman to help out in some crucial scoring.

Troy Ewers is a San Jose Sharks reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Sabres long time announcer Jeanneret passes at 81; Toews says he’ll be back next season; plus more news

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Former Buffalo Sabres longtime announcer Rick Jeanneret poses with the Buffalo Sabres passed away on Thu Aug 17, 2023. Jeanneret was longest tenured NHL announcer in the game’s history. (photo from NHL.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Long time broadcast voice of the Buffalo Sabres Rick Jeanneret who started with the Sabres on Oct 10, 1971 and retired on Apr 22, 2022 died at 81 years old. He retired as the longest tenured play by play announcer in NHL history.

#2 Jeanneret was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012 and was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Award.

#3 Former Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews will not be retiring from ice hockey but did say he will be taking time off from the game. Toews played hockey for 15 years. Toews 35 said he wanted to wait to the end of the regular season to decide what he’s going to do and who he will return with.

#4 The Winnipeg Jets Josh Morrisey said he’s 100 percent ready entering camp next month after sustaining a season ending lower body injury during while playing against the Las Vegas Golden Knights in a double overtime in which the Jets loss 5-4. The injury Apr 22 last season and Morrissey said the injury couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

#5 Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Erik Karlsson is settling in with his new team how do you see him fitting in in Pittsburgh. Karlsson led the NHL last season with the most goals for a defenceman and now he joins the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin what’s that going to do for Karlsson and the Penguins at large.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: With or without Karlsson this would have been a rebuild year for San Jose

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San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Feb. 14, 2023. Karlsson joins the Penguins in a deal on Sun Aug 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro:

On thing about dealing defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins it give San Jose Sharks general manager some room to sign some players. The big thing is that the Sharks got the first round pick from the Penguins.

The Sharks got forwards Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman, defenseman Jan Rutta and a top ten protected 2024 first round pick and the Montreal Canadiens got goaltender Casey DeSmith and defenseman Jeff Petry.

The Penguins in turn picked up from the Sharks forwards Rem Pitlick and Dillon Hamaliuk a 2026 with Karlsson. This on the face of it is not a good deal for San Jose who gives up a defenseman who scored 101 points. Look for Karlsson to be a huge asset joining Pittsburgh with Evgeni Malkin and Sid Crosby.

Len Shapiro does the San Jose Sharks podcasts for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Kraken, Penguins or Hurricanes who will pick up Karlsson’s massive contract?

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San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier meets with the news media on Tue Jul 5, 2022 at his introduction to the team. Grier has made a number of moves this past week (Tue Jul 4, 2023) and the possibility of moving Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (AP News file photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy:

#1 Troy, San Jose Sharks Erik Karlsson is a three time Norris Award winner and teams as well as the Sharks are shopping him but there are no takers because teams are concerned about cap space in obtaining Karlsson who makes $11.5 million yearly and has three more seasons left on his contract running through the 2026-27 season.

#2 Teams that might make it work are the Pittsburgh Penguins or the Seattle Kraken. While the Penguins could show interest, the Carolina Panthers might have space issues but the Kraken have the cap room and the budget to take Karlsson off the Sharks hands. Either way Karlsson would be competitive playing for any one of these teams.

#3 Troy talk about how important it is for the Sharks to have signed forward Nathan Todd, Todd comes to the Sharks after playing 16 games for the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds with eight goals and six assists. Sharks general manager Mike Grier signed Todd because he was big on helping the Thunderbirds get into the Calder Cup in 2022 and was named the 2020-21 All Star team scoring 12 goals and 20 assists.

#4 This week the Sharks picked up defenseman Leon Gwanke in exchange for defenseman Artemi Kniazev. Gwanke 24, had a strong showing last season skating for the AHL Manitoba Moose scoring 20 goals and 25 assists coming from the Winnipeg Jets organization.

#5 Making his second stint with the San Jose Sharks signed forward Ryan Carpenter to a one year two way contract. Carpenter formerly played for the New York Rangers scoring last season 21 goals and 23 assists. Carpenter played with the Sharks in the 2013-14 season to 2017-18. Troy talk about how big of help Carpenter will be for San Jose this season.

Join Troy Ewers for the San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com