In Episode 247 of The Fin Factor, Aaron and Paul analyze a week of “bittersweet” milestones for the San Jose Sharks. While the team officially clinched the best odds for the first overall pick in the upcoming draft, the focus remains on the rapid development of their star rookies and the strange social media saga surrounding their captain.
Sharks Clinch Best Lottery Odds
The Sharks have officially finished 32nd in the NHL standings, locking up the best possible odds to select first overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
- Lottery Protection: By finishing in last place, the Sharks are guaranteed a top-three pick, providing a vital foundational piece to follow Macklin Celebrini.
- “We Suck Again!”: The hosts noted the irony of celebrating a last-place finish, but acknowledged it as a necessary step in the rebuild.
- Competitive Progress: Despite the losses, Paul pointed out that the team is far more competitive than last year, often holding leads late into games before falling short.
“Calderbrini” Back and Will Smith’s Surge
The episode highlights the returned dominance of Macklin Celebrini and the offensive explosion of Will Smith.
- Will Smith’s Brilliance: Smith scored two goals in a close loss to Calgary, showcasing a “wicked rister” and increasing consistency. The hosts debated if he could hit the 20-goal mark with only two games remaining against powerhouses Vancouver and Edmonton.
- The “Line” Names: The hosts marveled at the various nicknames for Celebrini’s lines, including the “Sleepover Line” (with Smith and Toffoli) and the “Hobie Baker Line” (with Smith and Colin Graf).
- Calder Watch: With Celebrini back and producing, the “Calderbrini” hype is in full effect as he looks to solidify his status as the league’s top rookie.
Logan Couture: The Social Media Mystery
A significant portion of the show was dedicated to the bizarre activity on Logan Couture’s social media accounts.
- The Unfollowing: Fans noticed Couture had unfollowed the Sharks’ official accounts and removed team-related information from his bio, sparking trade and retirement rumors.
- The Reversal: Shortly after the “drama” began, Couture started following team accounts again, leading to speculation that it was either a mistake, a hacked account, or a moment of frustration regarding his ongoing health issues.
Frustrating Stats: Third Period Woes
Aaron shared a sobering stat from Darren Stevens regarding the team’s inability to close out games:
- Historical Losses: The Sharks have 10 regulation losses this season after leading in the third period—the most by any NHL team since the stat began being tracked in 1979-80.
- Single-Season Record: They also set a franchise record with eight regulation losses after leading through two periods.
