The San Jose Sharks are making waves with their recent trades, sparking discussions about the potential reshaping of their future. This episode delves into the strategic decisions made by the Sharks’ management, particularly under the guidance of GM Mike Grier. By trading players like Fabian Zetterland and Jake Walman, the team is aiming to diversify its roster and strengthen its core. The focus is on building a more competitive team, moving away from merely selling assets to constructing a robust lineup that can compete at higher levels.
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the Sharks’ recent game against the New York Islanders. Macklin Celebrini’s performance is highlighted, especially his remarkable achievement of setting a franchise record with 10 shots on goal. This game serves as a case study for the Sharks’ evolving strategies, showcasing how new and existing players are adapting to the team’s vision. The discussion also touches on the Sharks’ power play and penalty kill tactics, with JD Young offering insights into potential adjustments that could enhance their overall performance.
Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Sharks’ future plans and the implications of their recent trades. The episode provides exclusive insights into the team’s journey, exploring how these strategic moves could impact their trajectory in the league. With a focus on prospects like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, the conversation underscores the Sharks’ commitment to building a formidable team. Tune in to discover the intricacies of the San Jose Sharks’ evolving strategy and what it means for their future in the NHL.
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22 Comments
if we win the lottery, draft Schaefer #1 generational D-man… then package up a whole draft class or several 1sts & 2nds to get 2 of the 4 guys in THIS YEARS 2025 NHL draft… can you imagine we landed Schaefer AND Martone or Misa? and then signed Ekblad in free agency, ding fries are done!!! lets goooo… and i never want to hear McKenna again (for the Sharks, guys awesome and Canadian but hey we got our team)
Wonderful pistachios are quite wonderful actually
I will be pretty, we would of won last night if zetterlund played lol, i miss seeing his energy out there, not the same, i get rebuilding and its going suck with some players, they should get out of Logan's contract, just release him or find a way to heve him retire, if not at least give up being a captain, he is hurt and prob will never skate again, it sucks but we cant keep the old guard if they cant play
It hard find better players and William Eklund lost his best friend
To LA – Dickenson, Bystead, 1st and second round pick
To SJ – Brant Clarke, Koehn Ziemmer
You draft Schafer and now you have your top defensive pairing for the next decade.
We have like a billion LHD so we can eat that loss.
Grab another serviceable RHD in free agency and a few solid vets to fill out your bottom six. Get a full season of Askarov in net and you’re pretty much guaranteed progress.
The thing I fear about Mike Grier is that he seems to greatly over value players in the archetype of Mike Grier
Nemec or Clarke would look goooooooood in teal baby!!
Mike G will trade his 2nd round pick this year to get a Higher 1st round around top the 15.
Frankly the mistake many rebuilding teams make is to fall in love with players who simply don't fit their timeline. I like the fact that there is a view toward building which fit your two best players who are 18 and 19 years old.
We’re going to add Schaefer & Nemec this off-season. And with Dickinson, Muk, & Cag etc… future defense is almost set.
Only need a couple more top 6 forwards after that & the rebuild is suddenly much closer to set than it will have seemed so recently.
At that point (after adding Schaefer & Nemec this yr, and 2-3 1st round forwards next yr) …. just add water (or ice?) & watch them (the rebuild) grow!!
And what about Bords?
What about Musty + 1st of Dallas VS Nemec ?
Why now JD ? Because GMMG had the opportunity to add the guy he wanted now. Next year, maybe the Sens would be in another position in the rankings and would not be willing to move Ostapchuk anymore. I think Grier is seeing Ostapchuk as a potential Sam Bennett.
2025-2026 Sharks preseason lineup
EKLUND – CELEBRINI – TOFFOLI
CHERNASHOV – SMITH – MUSTY
BOR/GRAF-OSTAPCHUC-WENNB
KOVALA-BYSTED-CARDW/LUND
DICKINSON – NEMEC*
FERRARO – SCHAFFER+
MUKHAMADULIN – LILJGREN
CAGNONI~
ASKAROV
LYON
Another awesome episode. Listened to it last night but am commenting the next day on a break. I understand and appreciate your trepidation about the Zets trade. An old saying (I am not sure I am getting it 100% correct) is "one in the hand is better than two in the bush."
Which is what your point was and I see that side of it. However, I get GMMG's side of it too. I also am going to give GMMG his props and therefore leeway on this move.
I will go back to his Timo trade. I was upset with it as I thought he got horrible return. In the end he won that trade in my eyes. He turned a player he could not afford into what looks like three good players (one that is, one that is on his way and one that looks promising).
That is a great ROI! Which is why I give him leeway on this move. I thought Zets was a horrible get, but he proved us wrong and GMMG right. Now he has done it again. Moved for a player using a current popular player to get someone he covets (referring to his glowing review at his presser).
And he got a pick to boot (I will ignore the two minor players swapped Gregor and Robins). Ostapchuk is much further along in his development than picking most prospects and he does fill the hole GMMG spoke of. I will get more specific in my next comment.
Okay, bear with me. A lot of this will be a reply I made to another comment.
There are three things to keep in mind with picking up Ostapchuk. Timing, playing style (roster building) and numbers.
Timing: This is related directly to two players (Bystedt and Celebrini). 1- Celebrini was all they hoped and more. Many fans, podcasters and others declared that Celebrini is so good he moved the timeline for the rebuild up a year (or more in some cases). Meaning he needs to get young players on the roster sooner rather than later.
Problem is NONE of his centers are ready to make the jump. He acquired Wennberg on a two year deal for two reasons (IMO) which is that Coots might not come back (happened) and no center prospect would be ready to assume the role in the third line (none were).
Worse, none will be ready next season. And I think sprinkle rookies in each season if he can. Bystedt in not ready for the NHL. He is just not. But Ostapchuk is closer.
He is further along in his development and definitely more of a sure thing. And IMO, more of a sure thing than Bystedt. IMO, he plans to get him games next season as the 4C to start (like he was in Ottowa) and move him up as he gets more experience.
That is not to say he might not start the season in the Cuda, but will end up on the Sharks. Keep in mind Bystedt is the closest thing he has to a developed prospect in the AHL. So this fills that hole.
Speaking of holes, the numbers aspect:
When GMMG had Celebrini, Smith, Edstrom and Bystedt, I believe he had what he believed to be his four center of the future. Alas, Asky became available and he pounced (as he should have). Well, this left a hole in his center depth. And Ostapchuk fills it with the bonus of him most likely being NHL ready sooner than Edstrom would have been.
Playing Style: Edstrom and Ostapchuk have similar playing styles and will fill the 3rd line center pretty much the same. They both are noted as playing mature games. 200 foot players that play a responsible game that is defensively leaning.
Both of them are noted as pass first players as to their offensive play with neither having the greatest shot (however their shot is not horrible or anything like that).
There is one difference to note. Ostapchuk has a nasty streak which is missing from almost all the forward prospects the Sharks have in their system. Name me one that has that size and is also nasty. The closest prospect is Musty (noted more for his finesse plays than aggressive physical play).
The closest thing he has at the forward position is Wetsch but he lacks Ostapchuk's size and he is a RW.
In conclusion, I liked Zets a lot. He meshed with the team extremely well and his relationship with Eklund was something special.
It was something I noted to my Sharks buddy. Eklund and Zets were like Celebrini and Smith. Building bonds like that permeate a team and create a very good culture and chemistry that goes well beyond the ice.
But, this is as much a business as it is a sport and GMMG is trying to build a roster the way he envisions it. Eklund will eventually come out of his funk and accept it (IMO). It's a bummer, but we all lose friends during our lives and workmates, so he will be ok in the end.
GMMG believes what he is getting back adds an element he does not currently have with his young developing players. Name one that has that trait in the NHL or AHL. There is none.
Although, Zets is a known 20 goal scoring winger, Ostapchuk is a center. Center are more valuable and integral to a teams success. Time will tell if he was right, but I will put my bet in GMMG as he has proven so far to be correct.
Needed to "find" a right handed d-man for Zetterlund, not a 4th line C.
Bystead is also a bigger center and older, does he ask for a trade now? If we need more young centers why haven’t Bystead and Bordeleau gotten looks this season?
What if Grier makes huge moves this Summer and shocks all of us. Signs Mitch Marner and a couple of top 4 D Guys!
Give Chycrun the bag this summer I dont even care