San Jose Sharks Podcast – San Jose Hockey Now

It’s mailbag time!

What are San Jose Sharks fans curious about right now?

Here’s what San Jose Hockey Now subscribers asked.

Gary To asked if we think Tomas Hertl is staying or going this summer, and what GM Mike Grier would have to do to convince Hertl to stay (6:27).

James R. wondered what Kaapo Kahkonen’s next contract, if he re-signs with the San Jose Sharks, will be (14:35). Also, have Kahkonen and Mackenzie Blackwood’s success taken the heat off Evgeni Nabokov?

Jake went all the way back to 2019 to get our recollections about Peter DeBoer playing Micheal Haley over Joonas Donskoi (22:50), and what we were thinking during Sharks-Golden Knights’ Game Seven.

Matthias893 wonders what Hertl could get in a trade with half-retention (35:30)?

Jenna B asked if there are any European/NCAA/CHL free agents that the San Jose Sharks could be interested in (38:25)? Also, props to Jenna for inspiring my Sharks dogs stories from Christmas.

Stephanie wondered if the media could influence management/player decisions and performance (45:50)?

Fin Coe thinks maybe William Eklund could have a Joe Pavelski path in his career (56:15)?

Dylan Smallwood inquired about the asset management when it came to trading for Calen Addison with Leon Gawanke waiting in the wings (59:00). Also, he doesn’t think a Hertl trade should require retention.

Chris Braun wonders if a Hertl trade is worth it, if you can find a team to take on the whole salary (1:16:35). He also wondered which defensemen will remain on the roster after the break?

Jigglz checked in on the type of players that Grier could be looking for this off-season via trade or free agency (1:23:15). 

Alex Genadinik wonders what it would take for the Sharks to get a first or second-round pick this Trade Deadline (1:28:50)?

Stefan Schwartz dug into the San Jose Sharks locker room dynamic this season (1:36:35).

Zeke thinks that Kevin Labanc, for his own good, should be assigned to the San Jose Barracuda (1:41:40).

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What's the problem with the last-place San Jose Barracuda?

We have a special guest, Patrick Williams from AHL.com and NHL.com, who knows all things AHL, to shed some light on why the San Jose Barracuda are struggling this season. (43:30)

Williams has a good handle on realistic expectations for the last-place Cuda.

But before we get to that interview, we have a few San Jose Sharks topics to cover.

First, William Eklund has been playing...center!. (03:30) We talk all about his play and what his change to center might mean for the rebuild if this is a permanent or semi-permanent change.

The Sharks have another young prospect making waves in the NHL as Shakir Mukhamadullin was called up this week. (13:20) We dive into his play and speculate whether he stays up with the Sharks after the break or not.

Sheng and Keegan discuss the addition of Mukhamadullin to the AHL All-star game, and the injury to Danil Gushchin that's going to keep him out of the All-Star lineup. (23:50)

Finally, before we get to Patrick Williams, we discuss Tomas Hertl (27:18). News came out this week that a conversation might take place this offseason to discuss Hertl's future on a rebuilding San Jose Sharks club. Let the speculation commence on his future, and what the Sharks might get for Hertl in a trade.

Alright, it's time for the Patrick Williams interview! We ask loads of questions and get his opinion on how the Barracuda are performing relative to the other teams in the AHL. (43:30)

First we ask the big question: Is it okay to be disappointed in the Barracuda this season? (45:00)

Just how many high-end players (for this league) does the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate have right now? (47:30)

We ask about John McCarthy and whether he deserves to be fired. (53:25)

McCarthy is one of the AHL's youngest coaches. Did he miss out on having an experienced mentor by his side to start his head coaching career? (56:50)

Just how much was expected from this Barracuda roster, and how much of the failure can really be put on McCarthy? (1:05:20)

What does Patrick think of Danil Gushchin? (1:09:30)

Despite some defensive additions to the Barracuda this season, they still sit last in goals allowed in the AHL. What's going wrong defensively for them? (1:12:45)

We dive into the curious decision to roll with three young netminders, one with injury concerns, to start the year for the Barracuda. (1:18:27)

The defense has been a mess, but the offense is actually decent for the Barracuda. What's gone right so far there this year? (1:23:45)

What does Patrick think about the compete level for the Barracuda overall? (1:26:35)

Who is Patrick's favorite Barracuda player to watch? (1:28:44)

Who does Patrick think has the potential to reach the NHL from the AHL roster? (1:29:45)

To end the interview, how much of the team's losing can be put on Cuda GM Joe Will? (1:31:30)

After the interview, Sheng and Keegan react to Patrick's interview and discuss some of the rumblings in the hockey world, related to how the Barracuda are perceived. (1:35:40) This includes lots of insights from scouts and executives on how the Barracuda and the San Jose Sharks are seen, and some of the limitations involved with running these teams.

Thanks all for watching, listening and subscribing!

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What’s a realistic path for the San Jose Sharks to be competitive by 2025-26 or 2026-27 (54:40)?

We’re asking this question because that seems to be GM Mike Grier’s hope.

“In two or three years, hopefully we can be a team that is pushing for the playoffs, if not hopefully grabbing a spot,” he said in his media availability on Thursday.

https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-mike-grier-all-star-availability/

Before we get to that discussion, Keegan and Sheng talk about the San Jose Sharks’ recent play, including signs of life from William Eklund. (03:00)

What did Sheng think of Shakir Mukhamadullin’s mixed bag NHL debut? (12:08)

Sheng has a lot of thoughts about the new Cali Fin jersey, including the controversial usage of the Fin logo as the primary crest. (21:25)

We also touched on assorted Sharks' injuries and other thoughts about Grier’s availability. (37:05)

So what has to happen for the San Jose Sharks to be in the playoff discussion in a couple years? (54:40)

Before we get into that, why might 2025-26 be the target season to be competitive? (55:25)

We break down what has to go right for each position to be competitive in two to three years. (1:02:50)

Who might the goalie of the 2025-26 Sharks be? Why is Sheng not too worried about this position? (1:03:05)

The Sharks don’t have a future No. 1 defenseman yet. Why might quality depth be the workaround? Could Mario Ferraro, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Henry Thrun be the start of a credible top-four? And where does the Noah Hanifin trade rumor fit in? (1:07:05)

If the Sharks need to look toward the 2024 Draft to find their No. 1 defenseman of the future, who does Keegan like best in a deep pool of defensive prospects? (1:11:25)

Also, why doesn’t it make sense to buy out Marc-Edouard Vlasic, even in the summer of 2025? (1:17:00)

The San Jose Sharks are also lacking a 1C of the future. Obviously, if the Jonathan Toews comp is accurate, Macklin Celebrini could be the answer here. (1:21:52)

How about Tomas Hertl as your 2C and Logan Couture as your 3C? And where could Will Smith, William Eklund, and Fabian Zetterlund fit in up the middle or along the wing? (1:22:40)

What does this forward group lack and how could the 2025 free agency class possibly provide an answer? (1:29:30)

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Corey Masisak joins the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

But before we get to Corey and talk about his incredible Hasso Plattner story (44:56), only on San Jose Hockey Now, we talk about the latest San Jose Sharks news!

Keegan and Sheng chatted about the Sharks’ week, including a feel-good victory over the Anaheim Ducks (2:10). Keegan is predicting no more double-digit losing streaks (12:55) for the rest of the season.

Sheng talks about Logan Couture coming back, and how close he was to breaking the news of Couture’s specific injury (14:30).

The San Jose Sharks are retiring Joe Thornton’s jersey next year (26:10)! We also debate if Brent Burns deserves the same treatment one day (27:40).

Finally, we share our thoughts about the Sharks’ new third jerseys (33:10). Keegan likes them, Sheng is not a fan! And we make fun of the Sharks’ Aloha shirt giveaways (39:25).

Now, Corey Masisak (44:56)!

Corey explains the genesis of his Hasso Plattner story (46:25). What did Corey learn about the San Jose Sharks owner when he was in Germany?

Hasso has a love for Russian wingers (53:10)? We also talk about Plattner’s attitude toward SAP Center (56:05) and how long the Sharks might be there.

Does Corey think this 2023-24 San Jose Sharks squad is the worst of the cap era (58:00)? What phrase does Corey remember most from his time in San Jose (1:00:00)?

How did incoming GM Mike Grier “convince” Plattner to maybe embrace more of a rebuild philosophy?

We revisit the Tomas Hertl extension (1:05:00).

What is Corey’s confidence level in Mike Grier and David Quinn right now (1:08:40)? What did he think of the Erik Karlsson trade (1:13:00)?

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Chris Peters, NHL Draft and Prospects analyst and Senior Content Creator, @FloHockey, joins the San Jose Hockey Now podcast to recap the World Junior Championship and the play of the six Sharks prospects at the tournament. (1:14:31)

But before that, after a 12 game losing streak, we finally have a Sharks win to talk about! (01:32)

Throughout the win  against Montreal and a following three assist night against Ottawa, Ferraro has emerged as a leader, something Sheng has been saying for a few months now. (06:45)

Sheng and Keegan dive into the Chmelevski trade rumors that were shared by Kevin Weekes. What's a likely return for him? Can he be successful at the NHL level? (15:42)

We discuss Sharks' former first round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt and his meniscus surgery, and highlight some of his struggles in the AHL this year. (32:00)

Keegan is excited as Danil Gushchin is an AHL All-star! (37:20)

Finally before the Chris Peters interview, Sheng has some thoughts on the coaching job of David Quinn (41:30). What was expected of him this year, and is he the right coach for next year and beyond in this rebuild?

Now to the Chris Peters interview. (1:14:31)

We ask Chris about his thoughts on Team USA's gold medal. (1:16:20)

We get the deep dive on Will Smith, and how he turned his game around throughout the tournament. (1:17:20)

Should the Sharks sign Will Smith at the end of this year? (1:23:15)

How did Chris think Eric Pohlkamp performed, and what led to him being the odd man out in the medal rounds? (1:26:45)

Now onto Team Sweden and Jonathan Lekkerimäki's MVP. Sheng has some questions about how he won it over a few of the other candidates. (1:29:45)

Chris remarks on the less than impressive performance of Filip Bystedt. (1:32:00), and the so-so performance of Mattias Hävelid (1:34:30).

Chris answers Sheng's question of where would Filip Bystedt be ranked among the Swedish forwards from the 2022 draft? (1:36:30)

Moving onto Team Canada, Chris answers the question of Jake Furlong's pro potential after he surprised many and made Team Canada. (1:39:17) 

Finally, Team Finland's only Sharks representative, Kasper Halttunen. What needs to improve to transform Halttunen from a junior shooter to an NHL regular? (1:41:50)

Chris shares a few remarks on prospects that weren't at the WJC including Quentin Musty (1:47:30), Cam Lund (1:48:05), Magnus Chrona (1:48:30) and Daniil Gushchin (1:48:55).

Finally, we ask the question, is Macklin Celebrini the unanimous #1 overall for the 2024 Draft? (1:50:00)

Thanks for watching, listening and subscribing to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast on YouTube!

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Welcome to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast Mid-season Award Show! We hand out all sorts of awards, as well as predict a breakout candidate and predict some trades for the back-half of the season. 

But first, there's more! 

Sharks are...bad. (02:30). Sheng and Keegan briefly recap this week's losses and how they keep finding new ways to lose (03:15). We talk about the status of the Tankathon for this season, and a little about Macklin Celebrini and the upcoming 2024 draft (10:30). 

We discuss the ending of the WJC and the play/grades of Will Smith, Eric Pohlkamp, Filip Bystedt, Mattias Havelid, Jake Furlong and Kasper Halttunen (12:58). We plan on having a longer episode recapping the WJC in the coming weeks, with some expert opinions as well. 

Sheng and Keegan dive into the Kaapo Kahkonen trade rumor from Elliotte Friedman (24:00). 

Jack Studnicka was sent down to the AHL this week (33:40), and why a CBA detail forced the Sharks' hand on this move. 

We have some IR updates on Logan Couture and a season-ending move for Matt Benning (42:30).

Tomas Hertl is an NHL All-Star for the second time (47:30), and why we think the selection was obvious this year for the Sharks. 

Finally, it's our mid-season awards. Find out who won the following from both Sheng and Keegan: 

Mid-season MVP (48:10)

Best Forward (52:10)

Best Defenseman (54:20)

Most Improved Player (1:00:50)

Unsung Hero (1:09:00)

Most Disappointing Player (1:15:40)

Sleeper Prospect (1:25:55)

Most Surprising Prospect (1:33:30)

Lastly, we have a few predictions for the last half of the season. Who are the second-half breakout candidates for the Sharks? (1:38:50). 

Finally, Sheng predicts a Kaapo Kahkonen deadline trade, including some historical comparisons (1:47:20) and Keegan predicts an oddly specific Alexander Barabanov trade (1:51:45). 

Thank you all for watching, listening and subscribing on YouTube! 

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2024 World Juniors round-robin play is over! How are the San Jose Sharks prospects at the WJCs doing?

Also, the Sharks have six prospects at World Juniors, third in the NHL. Is that the most in franchise history?

But before we get to that, Sheng talks about his (unimpressed) impressions of Sharks games this week (2:40). Is 10 Goals Against Watch back (7:00)?

What's the next major coaching challenge for David Quinn this season? And how is that related to San Jose Sharks forwards who are offense-first (9:30), that they want to play defense-first?

Logan Couture is getting close (20:00).

Also, we talk about keeping an open mind about Mario Ferraro on the power play (23:45).

UPDATE: We talked Ferraro BEFORE his injury against the Avs tonight.

Then, Keegan gives his grades on how San Jose Sharks prospects have fared so far in WJC round-robin play: What does he think of Will Smith (37:00), Eric Pohlkamp (42:30), Kasper Halttunen (43:07), Filip Bystedt and Mattias Havelid (48:36), and Jake Furlong (51:30)?

Finally, we take a historical look at the San Jose Sharks at the World Junior Championships (54:30).

The Sharks have six prospects at the 2024 WJCs, but that's not their most-ever. What positives can we gather from San Jose's stacked 1995 and 1996 WJC classes? What are the cautionary tales from the 2015 WJC class? 

There was also a three-year stretch where the San Jose Sharks had zero World Junior prospects.

Also, history suggests that Sharks fans should take notice of late-rounders Furlong and Pohlkamp being selected by deep national teams for the World Juniors.

Happy New Year!

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Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis joins us to discuss the six San Jose Sharks prospects at the World Junior Championships and why he’s so high on Will Smith.

But first, Keegan and Sheng talk about some of the San Jose Sharks that had a good week, like Filip Zadina (2:40).

What’s going on with Logan Couture and Nico Sturm’s injuries (15:40)? 

We discuss what Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse said about the prospects at the WJCs and more, along with Keegan’s impressions of Smith and company at the WJC tune-up games (20:25). 

Finally, what presents do we want the Sharks to get this Christmas (32:10)? 

And just for fun, what would Keegan trade for Alexis Lafreniere (42:15)? 

Now, Steven Ellis (45:20)! 

Ellis talks Team USA’s Will Smith and Eric Pohlkamp (46:40). What’s Smith’s NHL ceiling and why is Ellis so high on him? Does Pohlkamp have NHL potential?

Why was Quentin Musty a Team USA snub (55:30)?

Ellis predicts that Smith can jump to the NHL next year.

Why did Jake Furlong make Team Canada (1:00:40)? Ellis admits that Furlong wasn’t on his initial projected roster.

What does Ellis think of Filip Bystedt and Mattias Havelid from Team Sweden (1:04:55)? He has no concern about Bystedt’s up-and-down sophomore SHL campaign. What are their NHL ceilings?

Ellis loves to watch (and chat with) Team Finland’s Kasper Halttunen: “He’s full of violence” (1:09:50).

Ellis discusses other San Jose Sharks prospects that he’s high on (1:13:35) and where he ranks their system (1:15:20). Ellis has the system in his top-10!

Finally, Macklin Celebrini = Jonathan Toews? And what does Ellis think of the defensive depth in the 2024 Draft?

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Should the San Jose Sharks trade Mario Ferraro? And if they do, what’s a reasonable return?

That’s what we’re discussing in this episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast.

But before we get to that, Keegan and Sheng talk about this week in San Jose Sharks hockey and strong performers like William Eklund, Tomas Hertl, and Mikael Granlund. (2:08)

Then we talk about Logan Couture’s honesty about his dark mental state while dealing with his injury, and the work that Sheng is doing to try to get to the bottom of what the injury is. (9:35)

Keegan and Sheng debate the Jack Studnicka trade (14:05) and healthy scratching Anthony Duclair. (33:00)

Finally, we talk about the San Jose Sharks prospects who are going to the World Junior Championships. (37:05)

What did Chris Peters say about Quentin Musty's exclusion from Team USA? (43:45)

So to trade Ferraro or not to trade Ferraro?

Sheng talks about how much he loves Ferraro, and what it would take, in his mind, to trade him. (45:40)

Sheng shares what scouts are telling him about Ferraro’s ceiling and trade value. What does Jason Demers think? (51:00)

Ferraro is not like most of the high-profile defensemen like Filip Hronek or Jakob Chychrun who have been dealt for premium assets recently. (57:00)

There is, however, a recent comp for a Ferraro trade that yielded a team a first-round pick in return. (1:03:45)

Keegan offered some defensemen trades, featuring stay-at-home blueliners, from the past decade, and asked if any of those trade archetypes were appealing. (1:07:30)

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Welcome to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

We have a special guest, Luke Kunin who joins to talk the Sharks locker room and his foundation for Type 1 Diabetes (1:17:00).

But first, an introduction of the topics for the day (1:30), including Sharks are...good? (2:10)

We run through a few of the players who have stepped their game up the past few weeks, including Hertl (7:35), Granlund (16:45), Zetterlund (27:00) and William Eklund (29:45).

What if the Sharks don't finish as the worst team in the league? What's the benefit of playing this well for a rebuilding team? (36:00)

We touch on some of the rumors regarding Mario Ferraro, but plan to have a longer episode on this later in the year. (42:10)

Finally, we talk all about the preliminary World Junior Championship rosters for Team USA, Team Sweden, and Team Canada (54:00).

Sharks prospects Will Smith and Eric Pohlkamp made Team USA, Jake Furlong made Team Canada, and Filip Bystedt and Mattias Hävelid made Team Sweden.

Why the Quentin Musty snub for Team USA may make sense, even if Keegan is mad about it (56:00).

Lastly, Sheng's interview with Luke Kunin! (1:17:00)
 
First some birthday wishes for Luke. (1:17:05)

Sheng and Luke talk about his friendship with Matt Benning, how they do everything together including Halloween costumes and fantasy football. (1:17:35)

Speaking of fantasy football, we learn Luke/Matt's team name, talk playoffs and who's in the league (Hint: many former/current Sharks!) (1:18:45)

What is Luke's responsibility for SkeeYee, the former win song in the locker room? (1:20:50)

Sheng chats with Luke about his musical taste. (1:23:05)

For some Sharks talk, Luke has been heating up a bit more recently, scoring more, before an injury, what went into that? (1:23:35)

How does Luke handle criticism from fans and the media? (1:24:10)

Congrats to Sophia, Luke's wife, who just signed with the PWHL Minnesota! (1:25:20)

Are they the first NHL/PWHL couple? (1:25:44)

Lastly, Sheng talks with Luke about the Luke Kunin T1D fund and a former NHLer who helped him through his diagnosis as a kid. (1:26:45)

We also talk about his Luke Kunin LKT1D clothing collection, 50 percent of the proceeds going to his foundation.

Thanks for watching!

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