The week was centered around the celebration of Joe Thornton’s legendary career, but the current Sharks team provided plenty of excitement on the ice. The hosts broke down a spectacular overtime win and reflected on the touching ceremony that saw number 19 finally raised to the rafters.
Joe Thornton’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony
The highlight of the week was the “Jumbo” retirement ceremony, an event that packed the SAP Center and brought back a “good old boys network” of former players.
- Side-by-Side Legends: Having Thornton’s number 19 hanging alongside Patrick Marleau’s number 12 was a favorite moment for the hosts. They noted the symmetry of the duo going 1-2 in the same draft and now being immortalized together in San Jose.
- “Jumbo” Being Joe: The ceremony was filled with classic Thornton moments, including his gratitude toward family and friends and the crowd jokingly yelling for him to “take his shirt off,” a nod to his famous post game interviews.
- The “Silky” Revelation: During the event, it was revealed that Thornton has nicknames for everyone, including calling Sharks GM Mike Grier “Silky,” a name that has clearly stuck.
Celebrini’s Overtime Heroics
The Sharks secured a dramatic overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings, featuring a historic performance from Macklin Celebrini.
- The Youngest Ever: At just 18 years and 158 days old, Celebrini became the youngest player in Sharks history to score an overtime goal, surpassing the previous record held by Jeff Friesen.
- Elite Company: His achievement placed him among the youngest in NHL history to score an OT winner, trailing only Sidney Crosby and Jordan Stahl.
- The “Power Move”: Celebrini didn’t just score; he “blew by everybody” on a power move set up by Mikael Granlund to beat goalie Cam Talbot glove side.
The Eklund and Granlund Connection
The line of William Eklund, Mikael Granlund, and Fabian Zetterberg continued to be the team’s most consistent offensive engine.
- Elite Playmaking: Aaron highlighted Eklund’s “pass first” mentality and his incredible ability to protect and possess the puck. He noted that Eklund is already one of the top players on the team for zone entries.
- Point Streaks: Eklund carried a five game point streak through the week, proving that he is much more than just a “savior” draft pick; he is becoming a refined NHL playmaker.
Goaltending and the Trade Market
Mackenzie Blackwood’s performance remains a major talking point as the trade deadline looms.
- Standing on His Head: Despite several goals against in a loss to St. Louis, the hosts argued that Blackwood was rarely to blame, often being let down by defensive gaffes and uncontested rebounds.
- Trade Potential: Both Paul and Aaron believe Blackwood deserves to play for a contender and noted that teams like the Colorado Avalanche have been heavily scouting him.
