The “New Era” in San Jose officially begins now. After a busy preseason, the Sharks have navigated a roster crunch to ensure their top young talents—including Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson—are part of the opening night squad. The hosts also discuss a strategic trade that cleared the way for this final roster.
The Roster Crunch: The Ryan Ellis Trade
To start the season with a legal roster, the Sharks needed to address their contract limit.
- The Trade: San Jose acquired Ryan Ellis from Philadelphia, sending out two contracts while taking back only one.
- Clearing the Logjam: This move brought the Sharks down to the league-mandated 50-contract limit.
- Who Left: The trade saw Artem Giryev and Carl Grundstrom depart, freeing up depth spots on the bottom six that had become a “logjam”.
Misa and Dickinson Make the Cut
The most exciting news for fans is the confirmation that Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson have officially made the opening night roster.
- Sam Dickinson: The high-end defenseman looked increasingly comfortable throughout the preseason, earning his spot on the blue line.
- Michael Misa: Described by owner Hasso Plattner as “Celebrini lite,” Misa’s inclusion signals the team’s commitment to playing their most skilled young assets immediately.
Veteran Presence: Goodrow and Reeves
The hosts analyzed the composition of the fourth line, which features a heavy veteran presence designed to protect the team’s younger stars.
- Ryan Reeves: Paul expressed his excitement about having Reeves on the roster, a move he had called for a year prior. His role is clear: provide a vocal presence in the locker room and physical protection for players like Macklin Celebrini.
- Barclay Goodrow: Despite some initial skepticism about the fit, head coach Ryan Warsofsky clearly values Goodrow’s veteran leadership alongside Reeves.
Season Predictions: A Step Forward
With the roster set, Aaron and Paul shared their points predictions for the 2024-25 season, expecting a significant improvement over last year’s 52-point finish.
- Aaron’s Prediction: 75 points.
- Paul’s Prediction: 78 points.
- Key Factors: The hosts believe improved goaltending and the ability to turn one-goal losses into wins will lead to a 20-30 point jump in the standings.
