Locked On Sharks - Daily Podcast On The San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks eye blue line reinforcements as Malte Gustafsson and Juho Piiparinen earn early draft buzz. Could these shutdown defensemen be the keys to a future Stanley Cup push?

JD Young and Will Scouch profile Gustafsson’s towering frame and modern defensive game with HV71, sizing up his upside as a top-pair neutral zone defender despite modest SHL stats. They spotlight Piiparinen’s efficient, positional play in Liiga—raising the question: is a steady, high-floor defenseman worth a first-round pick? The conversation digs into international performances, development curves, and how each blueliner might pair with a dynamic offensive partner. Plus, insights on draft ranges, organizational fit, and why the Sharks must prioritize defensive depth.

Sharks fans and NHL draft enthusiasts—don’t miss this scouting breakdown of two key targets for San Jose’s rebuild.

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San Jose Sharks face a pivotal decision with the 20th pick acquired from the Edmonton Oilers. Could this selection unlock a major addition to the blue line, or become a trade chip for immediate NHL help? Bowen Byram and Simon Nemec headline the potential defensive targets, while younger RFAs like Alexander Nikishin and Jamie Drysdale add intrigue to GM Mike Grier’s options. Would trading the pick be a shortcut to landing a proven impact player, or should the Sharks trust their scouting to find the next foundational piece?

JD Young dissects the trade market through the lens of salary cap realities, evaluating names from Colton Parayko and Dougie Hamilton to Jordan Kyrou for forward firepower. The debate extends to the merits of trading down for more assets vs. using the pick to bolster the defense corps. With the draft board shifting and free agency looming, every move could shape the Sharks’ rebuild and playoff ambitions.

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If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community:https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

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Rugiet

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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San Jose Sharks fans are on the clock as a mock draft simulator puts the team’s futures in your hands. The conversation focused on strategic draft scenarios, analyzing mock drafts from Bleacher Report and The Athletic, and what it would mean to select defenseman Chase Reid versus taking the top available forward—Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. How would these choices reshape a young core featuring Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith?

A key theme that emerged was leveraging the mock draft simulator to test the value of trading down, stockpiling picks, and navigating unpredictable draft runs. The discussion explored outcomes like selecting Egor Shiliov, Adam Goljer, and high-upside swing Tommy Bleyl, while dissecting Mike Grier’s team-building philosophy and real-time trade offers. Can running the simulator reveal the smartest moves for a Sharks rebuild? Get inside the war room as every pick, trade, and strategy is put to the test.

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Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community:https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel

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Rugiet

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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San Jose Sharks weigh blockbuster trade-down scenarios as rumors swirl around Simon Nemec’s future in New Jersey. Could Nemec be the solution for the Sharks’ blue line, or is he just another piece in the franchise’s ongoing rebuild? Questions loom over William Eklund’s trade value, the team’s search for a scoring winger, and what a package involving Quentin Musty or the 20th overall pick might look like.

JD Young breaks down potential draft day moves, evaluating the value of trading down from the No. 2 and No. 20 picks with teams like the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers. Key topics include cap space challenges, prospect depth, and which defensive prospects might land in the Bay Area. As San Jose eyes the future, could smart trading and draft capital finally jumpstart a turnaround, or will the Sharks miss out on elite talent in their quest for assets?

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San Jose Sharks weigh a blockbuster move for Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Would adding a generational scorer accelerate the Sharks' rebuild, or derail it with steep trade demands and lofty expectations? JD Young breaks down Matthews' elite history—highlighting his Rocket Richard wins, recent injury setbacks, and the staggering implications of his $13.25M cap hit.

Key discussion points include whether sending prized prospect Michael Misa to Toronto is too high a price, Morgan Rielly’s declining defensive upside despite strong offense, and how Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s manageable contract could make him a smart add to bolster San Jose’s blue line. With the Maple Leafs in flux amid a coaching search and postseason struggles, can the Sharks capitalize on Toronto’s need for change without jeopardizing their own future?

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San Jose Sharks fans face a franchise-altering draft dilemma: If Gavin McKenna slips to the number two pick, should the Sharks gamble on his high-octane offensive upside, or address their pressing need for a top-tier defenseman? JD Young and NHL draft expert Tony Ferrari break down McKenna’s unprecedented journey from the WHL to Penn State, his dazzling playmaking skills, and his defensive warts—drawing comparisons to Connor Bedard and Jonathan Huberdeau.

Key topics include how McKenna stacks up against recent No. 1 picks, his potential fit alongside stars like Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa, and the Sharks’ forward-heavy prospect pool. Tony Ferrari explores the best-player-available philosophy, bold trade-down strategies, and which blue-line prospects could reshape the team's future. Will San Jose stay the course or roll the dice on a game-changing draft night?

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Will Smith is about to get PAID. On today’s episode of Locked On Sharks, JD Young breaks down why the San Jose Sharks winger could be in line for a massive long-term extension as he becomes eligible for a new contract on July 1. After a breakout sophomore season alongside Macklin Celebrini, Smith has quickly established himself as a cornerstone piece of the Sharks' rebuild — and the numbers are starting to reflect that. 

JD dives into realistic contract comparables, including Lucas Raymond, Wyatt Johnston, Seth Jarvis, Cole Caufield, Dylan Cozens, and JJ Peterka, to project what Smith’s next deal could look like. With the NHL salary cap expected to skyrocket over the next several years, the conversation shifts from raw dollar amount to percentage of the cap — and why an eight-year deal worth around $10 million annually may actually make sense for both sides. The episode also explores the risks and rewards of bridge deals, waiting another season, and why Mike Grier should prioritize locking up Smith long-term before prices rise even higher.

Will Smith finished the season with 24 goals and 59 points in 69 games despite missing time with an injury, and the chemistry between Smith and Celebrini has Sharks fans dreaming big about the future. Could this be the next elite duo in the NHL? And if so, what’s the true cost of keeping them together through their primes?

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Should the San Jose Sharks eye Ryan Shea as a potential Mario Ferraro replacement, targeting defensive upgrades at nearly half the price? Could Shea’s breakout year with the Pittsburgh Penguins translate to success in San Jose’s lineup? Analytical comparisons reveal Shea’s surprising offensive contributions and elite penalty-killing, raising questions about whether he can anchor the Sharks’ blue line as Ferraro approaches a big free-agent contract.

Host JD Young also spotlights Nick Blankenburg—an undrafted, right-shot defenseman known for his puck-moving skills and analytical buzz. Can the undersized Colorado Avalanche and former Nashville Predators player thrive in a larger role, or will size concerns limit his impact? Key discussions include potential contracts, positional fits, and the broader implications for San Jose’s defensive depth as they weigh affordable options for retooling their blue line. Dive into the numbers, roster fit, and strategy shaping the next phase for the Sharks’ defense.

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San Jose Sharks face a pivotal offseason as Mario Ferraro’s contract projections signal a hefty payday—should Mike Grier re-sign the blue line anchor, or is it time to find a more cost-effective replacement? Potential deals and comparisons to Nikita Zadorov and Vladislav Gavrikov highlight the tough choices ahead, while the free agent market looms thin for defensemen.

JD Young breaks down Evolving Hockey’s latest contract projections for the Sharks’ top UFAs and RFAs, including crucial decisions on Collin Graf, John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, and Vinnie Desharnais. The conversation covers why Graf’s value may warrant a longer extension, which depth pieces should return, and how the Sharks’ cap flexibility could shape their blue line overhaul. Will San Jose prioritize youth and upside, or lock in veterans for stability as another rebuild year approaches?

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New Jersey Devils’ cap crunch spells opportunity for San Jose Sharks—can a blockbuster deal reshape both blue lines? Host JD Young explores trade targets Dougie Hamilton, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey, analyzing which Devils defenseman could fit San Jose’s roster and help them push forward in their rebuild.

The episode features a deep dive into contract situations, cap space woes, and the potential for high-impact trades, including a possible Hamilton move to help the Sharks reach the cap floor and provide veteran stability. Are the Devils ready to part with young talent like Nemec or Casey to secure their future up front? JD Young examines advanced stats, team dynamics, and the mutual needs driving a potential Sharks-Devils deal—posing one big question: who blinks first in the NHL’s offseason arms race?

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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