Welcome back to The Fin Factor! It was a monster week for the San Jose Sharks, and we almost called it: predicting three points in our last episode and coming away with a regulation win and a shootout victory. Between a 5-4 regulation win over the Anaheim Ducks and a 4-3 shootout thriller against the Minnesota Wild, this team is proving they can hang in the bubble conversation for the playoffs.
Here are the biggest stories from the week.
Alexander Wennberg: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
The biggest news off the ice was the Sharks signing Alexander Wennberg to a three-year, $18 million extension ($6M AAV). While some critics called it an overpay, we see it as a brilliant move for a team needing versatile depth.
Wennberg is currently tied for third in team scoring with William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli. He’s the ultimate “utility knife” leading the penalty kill, playing power play minutes, and winning key faceoffs. As Michael Misa eventually pushes for a top-six role, Wennberg projects to be an elite third-line center who can shut down the opposition’s best.
Macklin Celebrini: The Youngest Olympian?
The wait is over: Macklin Celebrini has officially made Team Canada for the Olympics. At just 18, he is the youngest player ever to make a Canadian Olympic roster.
In a recent clip, Macklin discussed his experience training with legends like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. He noted how their approach to the game “rubs off on you,” and we expect that same maturity to shine on the world stage. Curiously, while Macklin made the cut, Connor Bedard was a notable omission: a move that suggests Canada is building a team specifically meant to physically match up with Team USA.
The Igor Chernyshov Show
If you haven’t seen Igor Chernyshov’s recent goals, go find the highlights immediately. Against Minnesota, he “posterized” Norris-winner Quinn Hughes, driving hard to the net and scoring a disgusting one-time tap to himself.
Chernyshov has stepped seamlessly into the top six while Will Smith is sidelined with an injury. His combination of size, speed, and veteran-level patience is making him a legitimate Calder Trophy dark horse.
Game Highlights: Ducks & Wild
- Anaheim Ducks (5-4 Win): A high-scoring affair featuring goals from Mario Ferraro (his 100th NHL point!), Macklin Celebrini, and Igor Chernyshov. Alexander Wennberg was the architect of the win with two “beautiful apples” (assists).
- Minnesota Wild (4-3 Shootout Win): The Sharks continue to “own” the Wild, sweeping the season series. Yaroslav Askarov stood tall in the shootout, while William Eklund sealed the victory with a relief-filled celebration after a tough scoring slump.
Looking Ahead: The Roster Crunch
With Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov both proving they belong in the NHL, Mike Grier has some tough decisions to make. The Sharks are currently at the 50-contract limit, meaning a trade is likely on the horizon. Names like Jeff Skinner, Tyler Toffoli, and even Mario Ferraro or John Klingberg are swirling in the rumor mill as the team looks to balance its future stars with a potential playoff push
