The San Jose Sharks have navigated a rollercoaster week, finishing with one win and two losses. While the record might seem modest, Paul and Aaron argue that the team is showing a competitive edge that was missing last season. They break down the “market correction” in the standings and a rookie performance that is literally rewriting history.
Macklin Celebrini Enters the History Books
The primary focus of this episode is the historic pace of Macklin Celebrini. After reaching 20 career points in just 21 games, Celebrini has joined an elite list of 18 year olds in NHL history.
- Top 10 All-Time: Celebrini now sits at number 10 on the list of fewest games to 20 career points by an 18 year old, a list featuring legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman.
- Deception as a Weapon: Paul highlights Celebrini’s ability to use head fakes and deception to beat defenders through the neutral zone. It is not just about speed; it is about making the opponent “bite” on a move before cutting the other way.
- The Bedard Comparison: The crew discusses the growing narrative comparing Celebrini to Connor Bedard. While Bedard is an elite goal scorer, Aaron and Paul argue that Celebrini’s 200 foot game and 50% faceoff percentage make him a more well rounded cornerstone for a franchise.
A Bittersweet Goodbye to Mackenzie Blackwood
The week was marked by a major roster move as Mackenzie Blackwood was traded to Colorado.
- Asset Management: The guys praise Mike Grier’s asset management, noting that while losing a locker room favorite like Blackwood is tough, it opens the door for the next phase of the rebuild.
- The Georgiev Debut: Alexandar Georgiev made his Sharks debut in a regulation win over St. Louis. While his save percentage was not perfect in game one, the crew is interested to see if a fresh start in San Jose helps him rediscover his form.
The Holiday Inflatables Video: 10 Years Later
To lighten the mood, the guys react to the Sharks’ new “Holiday Inflatables” video, which serves as the 10 year anniversary follow up to the iconic holiday sweater video.
- Cute but Not a Classic: Aaron thought the video was a fun, cute booster for the team, though it might not live up to the legendary status of the original sweater song.
- Blown Out of Proportion: Aaron couldn’t resist a pun, calling the video “blown out of proportion” to the delight (and groans) of the live chat.
Closing Out Games
A recurring theme this week was the Sharks’ inability to hold third period leads against high caliber teams like Carolina and Utah. Paul and Aaron emphasize that while these “moral victories” are frustrating, the fact that the Sharks are leading superior teams late in games is a sign of massive progress under Ryan Warsofsky.
