San Jose Sharks face a pivotal stretch with three massive questions looming post-Olympic break. Will Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, and Yaroslav Askarov thrive in high-pressure playoff scenarios, or will the team fade and shift focus to next year’s draft? The defense remains unstable—can Mike Grier flip expiring contracts to land impactful, medium-term blue line upgrades before the NHL trade deadline? Defensemen like Timothy Liljegren, Mario Ferraro, and John Klingberg’s futures hang in the balance as prospects Eric Pohlkamp and Luca Cagnoni wait in the wings.
Host JD Young breaks down the Sharks’ battle for a playoff spot, emphasizing the importance of meaningful games for young talent development. Special teams woes also demand urgent attention—can aggressive tweaks on the power play and penalty kill help turn the tide for San Jose? Explore key scheduling opportunities, the evolving roster, and the Sharks’ quest for postseason relevance.
Timestamps:
00:00 Playoffs Over Tanking for Development
05:57 Sharks’ Playoff Growth Potential
08:47 Sharks’ Future Hinges on Deadline
11:14 Sharks Updates & Defense Fixes
14:36 Offseason Player Decisions Analysis
18:48 Finding Long-Term Team Solutions
26:33 Sam Dickinson Power Play Push
28:25 Be More Aggressive on Special Teams
31:14 Sharks’ Strategy and Key Questions
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10 Comments
Yes…but hey, this season is being played on house money
The short answer is yes, but like someone has already said this is house money. Truth is, any success they have this year over years past is just bonus. Next year, however? friggin' go for it.
At this point I think Grier is smart enough to know there is no short term fix for the blue line at the trade deadline and he will have to overhaul it in the offseason. Therefore he sells the UFAs he can at the deadline, including Sherwood if a contract extension can’t be found. The season has already been a major success, young core developing and playing meaningful games, but Grier has to be realistic and cash in on the UFAs as this team is not ready for the playoffs. Especially after seeing LA get Panarin, Carlsson will be back for the Ducks, not likely the Sharks make it.
What about Dougie Hamilton? I know he didn’t wanna come here, but maybe his feelings changed
Keep it close enough to have hope making people want to come to games but also leave yourself the ability that a 10 game slide will get you into the 3 spot for a draft.
If the Sharks fall off, it won't just be about a higher pick in rd 1. It'll also be about what GMMG sells off, which could be more picks.
But barring a bad run coming out the break, I think the team will take the approach you suggest. If they're pushing for the playoffs, they won't be selling, except at the roster fringe where there's a very small return.
Keeping my eye on Adam Fox. Wonder how much he wants to be part of the re-tool, after the Rangers gave up on their best forward. They roster is weaker, the pipeline uninspiring and free agency doesn't look like there will be major upgrade sorts.
Put Regenda at the net front.
Hearing JD break down the 8yo soccer defense makes my day 😂
Can't chase the playoffs if we keep losing. Take each game like its our last of the season. If we can't get past the regular season, our efforts were for nothing.
I think the mentality is wrong. Playoffs or bust? How bout play well, get into the playoffs 1st. Not win 3 games. Lose 4 games, the same formula til playoffs time? No, not going to work. Win as many games now after the break, thats all I can say.
Agree with your points JD. If playoffs ain’t gonna happen this year, they ain’t gonna happen.
I’d like to see Deharnais extended. Even if he ends up mostly a press box guy in future seasons, he’s the kind of guy you want to sub in and seems to fit what the Sharks want.
A deal for a top pair defenseman in the coming offseason seems much more possible now. The Sharks’ work this season just took them off of guys’ no-trade lists.
dickinson being on the power play seems like a given, this is the type of stuff that has ruined teams like the rangers, we're doing that rn with misa.