In Episode 222, Paul and Aaron discuss a historic and frustrating week for the San Jose Sharks, who set an NHL record for the worst back-to-back season starts. Despite the lack of wins, the hosts focus on the development of the team’s youngest stars and the “growing pains” of a roster with significant turnover.
The main headline of the week was the Sharks becoming the only team in NHL history to go winless in their first nine games in back-to-back seasons. While the team managed to secure two points, the “W” column remained empty, leaving new coach Ryan Warsofsky still searching for his first NHL victory.
The Macklin Celebrini Void
The hosts emphasized just how much the team misses their first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini, who remained out with an injury.
- Impact of an 18 Year Old: Paul noted that the team looks “bad” without Celebrini, comparing the situation to previous seasons when the team was missing multiple veteran centers at once.
- Pleasant Surprises: Despite the injury, Aaron mentioned he was “pleasantly surprised and shocked” by how well Celebrini performed in his limited NHL and preseason action.
The Will Smith Development Debate
With Celebrini out, much of the fan focus shifted to fourth overall pick Will Smith and his lack of early production.
- Development Days: The Sharks have been giving Smith “development days” where he sits out of the lineup. While some fans speculated this was a “kind way of scratching him,” Aaron argued it is a smart move to prevent burnout.
- Load Management: The hosts compared Smith’s situation to how Anaheim managed Leo Carlsson, noting that the jump from the NCAA’s one or two games a week to the NHL’s grueling schedule is a massive adjustment.
- Long Term View: Paul and Aaron agreed that Smith will likely “blossom” once he hits the 200 game mark and that fans should not expect him to be an instant “savior” like Celebrini.
Discipline and “Lazy” Penalties
A major point of frustration was the Sharks’ inability to stay out of the penalty box, as they were tied for the worst penalty differential in the league.
- Stick Penalties: The team has taken a high number of hooking, tripping, and slashing penalties.
- Moving the Feet: Paul bluntly stated that these are “penalties taken by people who are not moving their feet” and called the behavior “lazy”.
- Killing Momentum: The constant parade to the penalty box has “killed momentum” and exhausted the penalty killers’ legs.
Roster Notes and Standouts
- Timothy Liljegren’s Impact: Aaron was “pleasantly happy” with the addition of Liljegren, noting he provides a steady presence on the blue line that the team desperately needed.
- Mackenzie Blackwood: Despite the losses, Blackwood’s performance was praised. The hosts noted that he has outplayed Vanecek early in the season and deserves to eventually play for a contender.
- Danil Gushchin’s Opportunity: The hosts discussed Gushchin as a “dangerous player with the puck” but noted he needs to earn more trust from the coaching staff by improving his play away from the puck.
