Hey Brodie, Killin' it as usual man. Talking Sharks hockey with my guys Aaron, Paul and Super Producer Jason. I love the boys and even gave them my Sharks memorabilia when I moved down to Clovis. Being older I am perhaps a bit more jaded so while I choose to be optimistic and hope for the best I cannot completely disregard practicality or reality.
I share the boys optimism around the future of what Mike Grier is building and I share Paul's optimism and faith in Grier's ability to build a winning team. There are two guys that I am excited by beyond the 4 that were talked about and that is Collin Graf and Shakir Mukmadulin (sp?).
I feared what might happen to Shakir in the NHL because he is lanky and sparsely built so far. I fervently hope that as he recovers from his inury that the trainers will pack a fair amount of muscle around his shoulders to help protect him further shoulder injury. I think Shakir has shown that he can be a key component in the new Sharks core that Mike Grier is building and the first piece in the rebuilt blue line.
Collin Graf really impressed me a lot last year Brodie. I am not sure what his ceiling is because he has shown a remarkably steep learning curve and went from a player we were not sure about to someone who proved himself an important two way player who can be counted on in all situations AND he has some height to him though he is also still young and needs to add some muscle to protect himself in the NHL. At minimum Graf is a stalwart 3rd liner who can score between 15-20 goals, play on the PP and the PK and on the upper end he may blossom into a top 6 forward. He like the other top prospects is still so young what kind of a player he will become remains to be seen but, I am very excited to see what his future holds.
I do agree about Askarov. I think a Jake Allen or Fredrick Anderson would be a reasonable fit for next season to help carry the goal-tending load. I totally agree with the assessment about team defense. Most young forwards are not like Maclin and do not come to the NHL with a robust defensive game. Hopefully our young forwards will continue to develop defensively which will help a lot but, more to the point I hope that Mike Grier will be able to acquire 2 defensemen one way or another to shore up the blue line in much the same way he did last off season.
If Grier is able to do this the other aspect of our game that needs to take a step is the break out. We all were treated to seeing what a premier break out specialist like Eric Karlson can do in his own end when he has the puck and is facing fore-checkers. Being able to make significant improvement breaking out will also help the Sharks goals against significantly by not turning the puck over and evading the fore-check effectively and turning the tables on a semi consistent basis by forcing opponents to defend the rush/fore-check.
If we could improve the breakout by say 25% I think that would be attainable and make a significant difference in terms of turnovers, scoring chances and high danger chances against and lead to more offensive opportunities for us. Getting trapped in our defensive zone for extended time is just bad juju man. hahaha Nothing good typically comes from sustained pressure in our defensive zone.
Okay, disengaging the Pete Fire-hose of Information. hahaha Thanks for talking to my guys Brodie and I hope you and your family are well man.
Excellent episode! Thanks! 🙂 Have been missing your content. When will we be seeing you two again? I am hoping sooner rather than later. Maybe taking a look at possible moves for GMMG this offseason (like trade ideas, offer sheets ideas, draft targets, UFA/RFA signings, current cap situation, etc.).
On Macklin's Captaincy, I agree just wait untill he's older and also when we are good again. He'll have the confidence to lead and also.
You should only give the captain to someone you expect to be the captain untill they retire. We all know Macklin should be the captain. Seems weird to give Toffoli the captaincy when we all know Macklin will eventually have it.
10 Comments
Thanks fellas!!!
Thank you so much for having us on again, Brodie!
Hey Brodie,
Killin' it as usual man. Talking Sharks hockey with my guys Aaron, Paul and Super Producer Jason. I love the boys and even gave them my Sharks memorabilia when I moved down to Clovis. Being older I am perhaps a bit more jaded so while I choose to be optimistic and hope for the best I cannot completely disregard practicality or reality.
I share the boys optimism around the future of what Mike Grier is building and I share Paul's optimism and faith in Grier's ability to build a winning team. There are two guys that I am excited by beyond the 4 that were talked about and that is Collin Graf and Shakir Mukmadulin (sp?).
I feared what might happen to Shakir in the NHL because he is lanky and sparsely built so far. I fervently hope that as he recovers from his inury that the trainers will pack a fair amount of muscle around his shoulders to help protect him further shoulder injury. I think Shakir has shown that he can be a key component in the new Sharks core that Mike Grier is building and the first piece in the rebuilt blue line.
Collin Graf really impressed me a lot last year Brodie. I am not sure what his ceiling is because he has shown a remarkably steep learning curve and went from a player we were not sure about to someone who proved himself an important two way player who can be counted on in all situations AND he has some height to him though he is also still young and needs to add some muscle to protect himself in the NHL. At minimum Graf is a stalwart 3rd liner who can score between 15-20 goals, play on the PP and the PK and on the upper end he may blossom into a top 6 forward. He like the other top prospects is still so young what kind of a player he will become remains to be seen but, I am very excited to see what his future holds.
I do agree about Askarov. I think a Jake Allen or Fredrick Anderson would be a reasonable fit for next season to help carry the goal-tending load. I totally agree with the assessment about team defense. Most young forwards are not like Maclin and do not come to the NHL with a robust defensive game. Hopefully our young forwards will continue to develop defensively which will help a lot but, more to the point I hope that Mike Grier will be able to acquire 2 defensemen one way or another to shore up the blue line in much the same way he did last off season.
If Grier is able to do this the other aspect of our game that needs to take a step is the break out. We all were treated to seeing what a premier break out specialist like Eric Karlson can do in his own end when he has the puck and is facing fore-checkers. Being able to make significant improvement breaking out will also help the Sharks goals against significantly by not turning the puck over and evading the fore-check effectively and turning the tables on a semi consistent basis by forcing opponents to defend the rush/fore-check.
If we could improve the breakout by say 25% I think that would be attainable and make a significant difference in terms of turnovers, scoring chances and high danger chances against and lead to more offensive opportunities for us. Getting trapped in our defensive zone for extended time is just bad juju man. hahaha Nothing good typically comes from sustained pressure in our defensive zone.
Okay, disengaging the Pete Fire-hose of Information. hahaha Thanks for talking to my guys Brodie and I hope you and your family are well man.
Pete
Clovis, CA
Excellent episode! Thanks! 🙂 Have been missing your content. When will we be seeing you two again? I am hoping sooner rather than later. Maybe taking a look at possible moves for GMMG this offseason (like trade ideas, offer sheets ideas, draft targets, UFA/RFA signings, current cap situation, etc.).
Looking forward to your next podcast!
Hope Kovalenko does come back and gets a fair shot. Still upside there
On Macklin's Captaincy, I agree just wait untill he's older and also when we are good again. He'll have the confidence to lead and also.
You should only give the captain to someone you expect to be the captain untill they retire. We all know Macklin should be the captain. Seems weird to give Toffoli the captaincy when we all know Macklin will eventually have it.
Celebrini is ready to be captain. The age thing is a lazy take from most. He’s already leading by example as a kid. Let him have the C.
Brodie!!
Who in the pacific are the sharks jumping to be a fringe bubble team? That's an insane expectation
Definitely hope Kovelenko comes back and earns a spot with Smith on the 2nd line.
I also think Collin Graf doesn't get talked about enough. He really established himself as a 3rd C and very strong penalty killer.