Steve Peters Projects Sharks’ Lines Next Year…How Do Reaves & Skinner Help?

Steve Peters Projects Sharks’ Lines Next Year…How Do Reaves & Skinner Help?

Welcome to the San Jose Hockey Now podcast. I’m Shang Pang, editor and chief of San Jose Hockey Now. You can also find my work on NBC Sharks on Twitter, Shang_pang and Blue Sky, Shang Pang. You’ll notice once again I am writing solo. Keegan is still on vacation. But we have an exciting guest this week. So it’s just not me talking for an hour and a half. We have Steve Peters on. Steve Peters, he used to be a video coach for the Arizona/Fenix Coyotes for actually 25 years I think or 24 years. So there for a long long time. You might be familiar with Steve Moore now. He was helping out with ESPN’s broadcast this year. and on his own Twitter as Peters Hockey, you saw probably a lot of great breakdowns that Steve was doing of all kinds of things that are happening in the playoffs tactically, all that sort of thing, right? Steve is really the man at that kind of stuff. So, really, really excited to have Steve on to talk about the Sharks moves. Obviously, they made a couple big moves last week or this past weekend, weekend, Friday. Uh they traded for Ryan Reeves. They signed Jeff Skinner. And so Steve and I kind of put together our Sharks lineup, which I kind of know we did last week, but we did it last week without Skinner, without Reeves. And also too, you didn’t have anybody someone as smart as Steve Peters helping me out on it last week. And so really, really excited for that segment. Great interview. We talked about that and other things under the shark sun, tactical stuff, too, which Steve is an expert at. So really, really excited to jump into that. But before we do that, let’s have a word from our sponsor, Bring Hockey Back. Bringhockback.net. Awesome custom hockey jerseys. If you need that for your adult league team for any kind of occasion, bring hockeyback.net. Obviously, we’ve been talking about their t-shirts. I believe you can still get it here. So, here is Director of Vibes. Director of Vibes, right? Oh, there you go. There’s the Vibes. They also got a Mlin celebrini Mac Attack t-shirt on there that I believe you can still purchase and coupon code coupon code 15% off San Jose hockey now for 15% off coupon code San Jose hockey now. So go to bring hockey back bring hockeyback.net for custom hockey jerseys, the coolest t-shirts. Use the coupon code to save 15% off San Jose hockey now. But before we get to Steve, let’s run a quick little run run rundown of the events of the Sharks this past week. I think we last recorded on Monday. And when we recorded on Monday, weren’t sure if the Sharks were going to do too much more in terms of free agency or whatnot. Uh but clearly they did have a couple moves up their sleeves. I know one that is not not very popular, uh the Ryan Reed trade. So, let’s start with that first. We’ll talk about the Ryan Reeves trade a little bit. We’ll talk about the Jeff Skinner signing a little bit. We’ll talk about Mike Greer’s grand plan, which I wrote in an article yesterday. Talked about that a little bit. And finally, then we’ll have Steve on and Steve will that’s a great interview. We talked with him for over an hour there. So, that’s going to be the bulk of the show. So, you won’t get too much of me just talking to you right here. So, Keegan, please come back. But anyway, so let’s start first with Ryan Reeves. Ryan Reeves trade for Henry Thun or Henry Thun got sent out. So last week we were already talking about the Sharks had a glut of defenseman and one of them was going to go out the door. Last week I sort of picked Thrron as the guy that wasn’t sure what his role was on the Sharks. The Sharks have a clear kind of top six best defenseman right now. I think that’s pretty much most people would agree on that. Steve agrees with it too. We talked with Steve Peterson a little bit here, but the top six of Orof, Clingberg, mix and match where they are in terms of left, right side, and Orlof and Ley have a lot of experience on the right side, but Ferraro, Mukumadulan, Lety, and Mukumadulan. Wait, I’m forgetting something, aren’t I? Uh oh, Loigrant. Sorry. So anyway, so that’s six right there. And then that leaves for your number seven and eight defenseman. Two guys that have a lot in NHL experience in Thran and Dear, but maybe not quite enough there to crack this this top six that we have right now or this top six defenseman that we have right now. And so there is kind of that there’s an extra guy there between Thron and Dear. You have Sam Dickinson obviously pushing to start off the season with the Sharks and stay the season with the Sharks and so clearing clearing the log jam there a little bit. Thrun seemed like kind of the the the logical pick. He’s cheaper than Dear. I think that’s a big part of it. Dehar is making $2 million. Also, Dear is a little more valuable. He has the value of the right side thing. So, the Sharks may want to keep him for that reason. And I think too with Darn that he’s a specific kind of defenseman. You kind of know who he is. So the Sharks actually now don’t have a lot of guys like him on their sort of in this defensive group now. You have more combo guys like Orlof, like Lety, like Mukmulan hopefully one day. You have more puck moving types and Clingberg and Loigrin. And you have a the guy that is a little like Dehar, the more defensive type like Ferraro, which is different than Sharks defenses in the past where the Sharks couldn’t didn’t have a lot of puck moving there. And so you had Ruda, you had Ty Emerson, you had Mario Ferraro, and a couple other guys that I’m I’m forgetting right here, but I’ve I’ve uh forgot out of memory. I’m repressed. But anyway, it was definitely not as strong of a puck moving group. And Mike Greer has said it many times this off seasonason. He’s shown it with his moves that there was a concentration on not just pure defending which maybe they were those are the guys that they kind of picked up before Ruda etc. and more on yeah defensive aspect yes but more on being able to get the puck and move it to the forwards. So defend well enough hang on there and then get the pucks up to the forwards because how many times over the last couple years have we seen the Sharks defend kind of the first wave. Okay, they hang on there. They might stop the the Oilers kind of the the first attack, but then they can’t get the puck out and then it becomes wave after wave and then shots after shot and then goal, right? So definitely a different goal, a different kind of focus for Mike on the defense this off season than in the past. I think a bit which is I think is a good a good change will prevent things like the Maro Ferraro Yon Ruda pairing that we saw last year unfortunately. So actually that reminds me too a more defense first guy like a Cody Cece obviously with the Sharks brought in last year too. So definitely different focus from from Mike maybe as the forward groups get the forward group gets better it’s a little more thought from him to get the puck to this forward group to this young forward group too that needs the puck to attack. But anyway, so Henry wasn’t the most logical fit in in these kind of ways that not exactly sure. I’m not sure if Henry knows yet what kind of defenseman he is going to be as an everyday NHLer. He is a kind of guy that is okay to decent at a lot of things, but he’s not strong in a particular area that I would say like Dear is big. He’s a pker. he clears the net. So very just kind of clear kind of yeah DNA is weaker in other areas than Henry Thrun but there is sort of a he has a clear role in the NHL and so Henry is still trying to find that but also to Henry’s advantage though I mentioned his cap hit is lower also too that he is just 24 so if you’re Toronto Maple Leaves he represents well maybe we can get a little more out of Henry Thun he may not be a middle pairing guy in the NHL on a playoff team but maybe we can turn him into a very solid ball pairing defenseman. So, he hasn’t done that yet with the Sharks. He played a lot with the Sharks, but the Sharks were a very, very weak team, especially defensively. Not a lot of depth there. But now with a lot more depth, Henry didn’t really quite have an exact place on the Sharks, especially if you are really dead set on trying to integrate Sam Dickinson in there, which the Sharks appear to be trying to do. So, I think that part of it I think most fans are okay with in terms of okay that Henry, it didn’t turn out. Obviously, the Sharks when they traded for him from the Ducks a couple years ago, they’re hoping that he was going to be a guy that would develop into kind of a clear-cut middle pairing guy. A guy that would develop into, I don’t know, a a Maro Ferraro kind that is a main stay in the lineup at least. But that didn’t happen. Not entirely on Henry to grow up develop as a Sharks defenseman was arguably the hardest job in the NHL for the last couple of years. I mean, I think I’ve talked about this talking about Yon Ruda and Merrell Ferraro and trying to kind of defend these guys, Cody Cece too, trying to defend these guys a little bit that to be a defensive defenseman on the Sharks was such a hard job over the last two years. same kind of way to have to develop with the Sharks and to be kind of exposed to the waves of attack coming at you because you don’t have just a good team around you. Well, that is not an easy way to to to grow and develop as a player. And I give Henry a lot of credit that mentally he stayed strong. He did get better over the last couple years, just again, not quite enough though. So, don’t put that all on him. maybe in a new environment, a much better team that he will get better and he will become more of a a mainstay guy instead of a number seven we can scratch him, we can wave him kind of guy, which is honestly where he is at right now in terms of I think the view around the league about him. That was part of it too that speaking with Angel scouts and we did a whole podcast on that last week in terms of the value of defenseman, the value of the Sharks defenseman besides their new obviously the guys who are going to be in the lineup like Orof and Clingberg. That Thrun was pegged that roughly a fifth round value which is not that high. tells you tells me too that if the Sharks had gone into cap, which it could have done with these eight defenseman and with Sam Dickinson as your ninth and see what Sam does in training camp before you make a move on a Henry Thrun or a Dehar that you could have done that, but there might have been no offers for Thun at that point because the there just I think a lot of picking up on Reeves is just picking up what’s available and what the Sharks need or not out out there in terms of um skills that they don’t have that Reeves can provide, which I’ll get to. I know that again a wildly unpopular hoof with with a lot of with not all Sharks fans, but with a lot of Sharks fans, a lot of more analytically inclined Sharks fans, whatnot. I I I hear you. I get that. So, we’ll get to why Ryan Reeves in a second. But anyway though, that you could have I’m not convinced that if the Sharks had just done that and held Thrron out or held on to Throne through training camp to see which you could have argued for because then that that sort of that gives you that security blanket in in case Sam Dickinson isn’t quite ready. Gives you the option to start the season with eight Angel defenseman. Obviously, there’s injuries and that kind of thing that happens too, which makes which could have vaulted Henry Thun higher up on the death chart. And so, you could have held them on until camp. But then though, at that point, they hold him on to camp. He tried to send him through waiverss when everybody is trying to send talent through waiverss. I don’t know if if Henry sticks out enough that for sure he would have been claimed. So, here is I think part of it is they’re trying to get something for him that they want. And so that leads to, okay, why do they want Ryan Reeves? And Ryan Reeves, we know his reputation. Tough, one of the toughest guys in the league, maybe arguably the last guy in the league you want to fight, decided maybe Matt Rey these days or Tom Wilson or something like that, right? But so you you bring that element in whether you value that or not, but the Sharks do value that. Now, let’s talk about the player though, Ryan Reeves. And I’ve spoken with a few scouts about it. Steve Peter talks about a little bit too that as much criticism as Ryan Reeves has received throughout his career, for most of his career, he has been a very effective forcheing presence. Scary forcheing presence to see that guy with his speed, his strength coming at you. Um, he he I I would say that he has terrorized defenseman, not every defenseman in the league. I’m not saying that. If he was doing that, then he’d be on your second or third line. But but he has legitimately terrorized defenseman in this league over his career and not just with his cause with just his ferocious forchecking presence. So he had he had that ability for really most of his career, but he’s now 38 and everything that I understand about him is that maybe there is a half step step lost. There’s something lost there. So he’s not the forcheer that he was. If he was the player that he was, he wouldn’t be on the Sharks. he’d still be on playoff teams like he has been over the last really most of his career. He came from Toronto. The Toronto had signed him to three-year contract. He was in the playoffs with them. He came from Minnesota I think previously made the playoffs with them. Obviously was with Vegas and was with Vegas throughout everyone remembers the San Jose Vegas rivalry and for Vegas deep playoff runs. Ryan Reef was a element of those teams. a different element. It brought a different element to the team, but a useful hockey playing element. So, let’s make that very clear. And also, Pittsburgh, St. Louis before, good teams before, too, but brought a useful hockey playing element 100% for sure. Now, I know a lot of fans don’t agree with that. They look at the charts, whatnot. Okay, we can debate that some other day, but in my mind and in Mike Greer’s mind based on what he said that there is there was a a very very useful hockey playing element there with Ryan Reese for most of his career. Now, I do think again that he has lost something. So, I’m not sure how much he’s going to help on that end for the Sharks, the forchecking part. Maybe he can turn back the clock a little bit. Maybe he just needs some kind of more regular opportunity. I’m not really sure, but and he’s not that far away from from being an effective presence in that way, too. So, to give him that, too. But he’s also 38, so not sure of of that, to be honest. So, I’m excited or interested to see what he’s going to bring at camp. But the other part too of why you make this trade for the Sharks is, if I can put it this way. So the way that I saw it and I just wrote a story about it which actually this this whole next 20 minutes will be kind of talking about some of the same themes of the article that I put out why Reeves and Skinner Greer’s grand plan. So odds down I’ll say hockey now right now. But anyway, the other thing that I would say though is that and just to be clear, and this is no disrespect meant to Henry Thrun, but talking with with scouts around the league about his value, that this is a trade of two low value, to be frank, assets being swapped for one another. That includes Ryan Reeves, too. Ryan Reeves was waved last year around the trade deadline. No one picked him up. And this wasn’t the case before. Henry Thrun as a prospect had a little bit more shine. Got a third round pick from the Sharks. Maybe at that point that was probably the peak of his value or some hope that with his hard work, his intelligence that that would blossom into a higherend defenseman than than he became. And with Ryan Reeves, Ryan Reeves was a pretty valuable asset back in the day, too. If you look at some of the trades he was involved in that he got back legitimate pieces. So in both cases, these are devalued assets that were swapped for one another. And the way I see it is, of course, a lot of people say, well, why not keep the 24 year old defenseman or why not hold the 24 year old defenseman for another, let’s say, another forward of about the same age that is sort of a a prospect that doesn’t that hasn’t quite established himself yet, but still has a little bit of of runway, a little bit of hope that you hope that he can find his game, right? That’s actually why I suggested last week. I thought that uh trade Henry Thrun for a forward about the same age out of options uh kind of a brighter prospect before that that might be a logical trade for the Sharks to pursue and that would have been a logical path for the Sharks to pursue if that was out there. I don’t know if that was out there or not, but why does Ryan Reeves make make sense here? And the way I would put it is, so let’s say you have two kitchen utensils here. And I’ve been doing a lot of I mentioned this a couple weeks ago. I’ve been doing a lot of thrifting recently. So maybe this is why this came up to mind when I thought about how to how to discuss or discuss this this trade. But okay, so imagine you got two kitchen utensils. Now Henry Thrun is a spare fork. useful. Of course, forks are always useful, but there’s a lot of forks out there. No offense, there’s a lot of forks out there, right? And so, if you keep a Henry Thrun in on your on your team, on your roster, well, you have a lot of other defenseman that are kind of in the same maybe different skill set of course, but still that just doesn’t quite stand out though in any particular way. Not even like I mentioned like a deharia or whatever, right? And so useful but not not special maybe in this case, right? So in this case, what is Ryan Reeves? Ryan Reeves is also kitchen utens. So by this case, he’s a spatula. So if your kitchen doesn’t have a spatula, which the sharks do not right now in their kitchen, well then this maybe this trade makes a little more sense that they’re again not neither is the most valuable of kitchen utensils. But Reeves has kind of a different kind of element that that Thrun does not have. And so that element Mike I think explained it very clearly. believe him or not or buy into it or not I think is a better way to put into because I know a lot of a lot of you guys fans you don’t which I get but my career came from obviously he’s an old school hockey player back in his playing day he was a throwback winger he played in a league that 100% believed in the intangible value of an enforcer and Greer said it well he said that well maybe Ryan Reeves in the locker room he can make everybody feel a little bit taller knowing that he’s he’s around to kind of clean up on stuff even if he doesn’t play every game but just that he’s round and if you buy into that at all and if you say just maybe and this is where I’m at with the trade by the way that I recognize that Henry Thrun is a better hockey player than Ryan Reeves especially at this point in Reeves career I I get that but if you believe that There’s a chance that Ryan Reeves around can make a Will Smith, a Mlin celebrating a William Acklin feel a little more protected, feel a little bit more taller going into some situations. Then there is a definite value in that, right? So that’s that’s number one. The second part of it too is that Reeves brings brings something to the locker room that the Sharks do not have. And that’s well they have a Ferraro but that’s just one guy and that’s just a volume an energy a positivity a swagger and definitely more so than well Henry was a great locker room guy no one would say a thing about him cross about him but he wasn’t bringing that kind of energy to the room and so the Sharks Mike Greer thought that they needed another guy like that he called the room Mike called the room last here a little bit quiet and a little bit quiet well besides the parenthesis is besides Mario Ferraro and so now you have a guy that can match Mariel’s volume his positivity his energy and so that is also a again we’re talking about the different elements that these kitchen utensils bring and so this is a different element that Ryan Reeves definitely has that he’s brought to every locker room that he’s he’s been in a lot of winning locker rooms So I think in tool yeah yeah so I can see this trade I it’s not I think it is possible that I’m not as sure of it as as Mike Greer is but Mike Greer played and he knows and look if the players think that if Minel thinks that that having guy like Reeves around that he can see that and that helps him just a little bit and down the line like I mentioned those those names Ekkan Dickinson if he’s in a lineup guys like that like if they feel just like just a smidgen more protected it doesn’t mean that things won’t happen that Ryan really plays seven eight minutes a game so he can’t be everywhere he’s not going to play every game either so but if just a little bit more a little more secure then there is a value to that how much value I don’t know but well this is what we saw how much value well the value of Henry Thun So there is a definite value in that for sure. And look, last year there were a couple incidents where there was a the Sharks needed more of a response. And not that they didn’t try, not that they didn’t have some some guys who have a rep for standing up for their teammates, but maybe they needed a little bit more. And two incidents that jump out to mind are is when Stenland boarded Cabbrini and when Muk Madullan got whatever that was from from Vrono just tripped up. I I wouldn’t even say attacked because it wasn’t like Vrono went hard at at Mukuman but Mukul Mukum Madulan did fall awkwardly and obviously did suffer a serious injury because of it. And so those are a couple things that that stand out that I don’t know if they happen if if Reeves is around. It’s those things are hard to quantify. And obviously again when you have an enforcer, it doesn’t mean that nothing happens anymore. But if it’s just a little bit less or if when you play certain teams, maybe certain teams that aren’t as as tough as let’s say a Florida, but other teams around the league where those guys are maybe a little more weak-minded and maybe seeing Ryan Reeves does have a degree of influence, then there there is a value in that. And so anyway, so I I don’t feel any really way about the trade, I guess, in in the end. Uh, besides, I like Henry a lot and I wish him the best and I hope that he proves the Sharks my career and myself wrong in terms of his career path. But, uh, besides that though, um, the trade I don’t feel much much about. I I get it. I I get this sort of illogical on the surface swap of a 24 year old defenseman for a aging enforcer who is closer to retirement than anything else obviously in in his career. But I also see what Mike is seeing in terms of the potential value that Reeves brings that Thrron does not. Just essentially a different flavor. Okay. So, let’s talk now about Jeff Skinner, the Shark signing Jeff Skinner to a one-year $3 million contract. And Skinner, if he can do one thing, and that’s score. I’m not sure if he has much else in his game. He talked with with other scouts. Uh I know Mike Greer talked Jeff up quite a bit in his press conference, but he’s supposed to. Um other scouts, they like the one element that Jeff can bring and it’s obviously is a very very valuable element in terms of scoring. He also is from my understand presence. He does work hard, too. But, um, is he the model two-way player that you’re going to staple next celebrating for the next half decade? He’s not. But anyway, though, Jeff represents, now we look at this big picture a little bit. Jeff represents kind of that long search that the Sharks have had this off season for more help on the wing. And we know it’s been reported that they would have liked to have seen Besser and Eers in San Jose that that’s my understanding too and other people have reported it that they were very interested in investor. I think I I reported that a week before free agency and in Eers too that they would have loved to been in it but it’s hard to sell for these guys. It’s hard to sell sell them a last place team unless you’re going to break the bank on them. And I’m not sure if the Sharks were prepared to do that for either guy either. So I’m sure that they were willing to offer competitive offers, but they weren’t going to give dealers $10 million or something silly like that. That’d be like, “Okay, fine. Maybe I’ll come over here just for just for the moola, right?” So I don’t think the sharks were prepared to do that. But I think that they were very interested in in bringing some high-end wing help to the sharks for sure. Uh, one report that I saw out there that I got some push back on when I asked around was whether or not the Sharks offered Basser seven years, which would have contradicted what Mike Greer has said, maintained throughout the offseason that he had no interest in offering seven, eight-year contracts to anybody, that he wanted to go lower and which clearly he’s done. Every acquisition this off season, which we’ll get to, but every acquisition this offseason has been for one or two years. Of course, Mike Greer knows that if you want to bring in a Brock Besser in that he’s not coming on a two-year contract, but I don’t know. I’m not sure if Greer went to that length though to try to procure Brock Ber contradict everything he said this off seasonason. I I would believe what I’m hearing and I I guess I would say in in this case. So, I would I would push back and like I said, I have a source that that pushed that pushed back uh on that report that the Sharks offered that much to Brock Besser. Maybe it was five or six. I’m not really sure, but I don’t know the details of whatever the Sharks might have offered Besser. But either way though, that no matter what they offered, even if it was in the ballpark, that it was always a tough going to be a tough sell to to get a guy to come to a last dead last team. not just not even a team on the rise like Anaheim or whatever, but a dead last team. So, okay. Um, Greer also just suggested in his press conference on Friday that they were also in on some of the star wingers who were traded or the way he put it was the guys that you’re thinking of that they were in on them. So, um, he didn’t say who exactly, but the obvious kind of wingers that got traded this off season, JJ Peter, Chris Krider, Mason Marchman, Trevor Zegres, that I’m not sure exactly who Grew was in on. I would guess any of them except for Ziggris. Ziggris doesn’t sound like a my career player even though he did play at BEu, but he doesn’t sound like a my career player by my estimation. So, I’m not sure if they would have been in on Ziggris, but maybe these other guys, they do sound like uh from the closer to the cloth that that Mike Greer might have been looking for. Should know too though that Krider and Marshmitt who didn’t go for a lot u they had trade protections too. So, as we’ve seen with Barkley Gadrell last year with the report about Nick Ley that a lot of teams oh sorry, a lot of players still have San Jose on their no trade list as they should. as they should. Fantastic play to live. Awful place to play hockey for most of the last few years. It’s getting better obviously on the ice park, but you guys know what I mean though. So, six years of running out of the playoffs, not an easy sell. And also too, not even close to the playoffs either. So, not an easy sell for anybody. Not anybody’s first destination, first choice for the most part, unless you’re say like a special scenario like Tyler Tofoley who wanted no movement clauses and the sharks were willing to offer that. So, it has to be a really special case. And so, anyway, so that was all interesting to hear. And that leads us to Skinner. And last week, San Jose Hockey Now, we reported that the Sharks had passed on Skinner. I still stand by that report. I wrote last in a story last week that the Sharks had passed on Skinner as of Wednesday, Wednesday of last week. Things changed now. It could have been I don’t I don’t know. I I haven’t gotten sort of the the story of of what might have changed, but could be a number of things though. Like fair chance typical that maybe Skinner came into the free agency this off seasonason wanting multiple years and the Sharks didn’t want to do that. Um and maybe no other team stepped up and so okay. So then now you’re waiting through maybe one-year offers or maybe one, two-year offers and what’s the best one that that you’re getting? Okay, it’s San Jose. Well, okay, here’s another year for Jeff Skinner to repair his value on the market and maybe come back to market next year much stronger because he’s popped in he’s capable of it popping in 30 goals for the Sharks. And that’s that is the the thing about Skinner that is remarkable in the sense of yeah it’s one dimension but it’s one dimension that he does really really well and it’s of course the arguably the most valuable dimension in hockey scoring goals. So we’re talking a six time 30 goal scorer has touched 40 goals. He has a better career resume than Brock Ber. He has a better career resume than Tyler Foley. So, I get the pursuit. Obviously, Besser is younger and Besser is better in other areas of the game than Skinner for sure. But one thing about Skinner I did make sure to check up on because he was part of a lot of bad Buffalo teams. And so, you wonder what his place was in that room. Was he a negative in that room? And from everything that I’ve pulled back so far, I’ll keep kind of digging into that because I’m curious about that. But no, that that wasn’t the case with with the Jeff Skinner. Now, is Jeff Skinner again, is he going to be around other side of the rainbow when the Sharks are in the playoffs? No, probably not. He is what? He does he is more of a one-dimensional player. So, so just just to put put that out there. So, so there is a reason why there were multiple year contracts or at least there there’s a reason why he lined with the Sharks just like there’s a reason why Orof line in with the Sharks. um that skills in decline to some degree and maybe not getting the offers that you want that maybe you would have got if you were Demetri or at 29 or Jeff Skinner at at 28 or whatever, right? That you’re not getting the offers that that you want there because of flaws in your game and some decline in your game. But Jeff Skinner though, as Mike Greer mentioned, still popped in 16 goals last year in the least amount of ice time of his career, 13 minutes a night, basically a third, fourth line role, but and with a lot less power type power play time, too, because obviously you look at the Oilers and they have a pretty set power play. Bousard, McDavid, Dryidle, Heyman, so not really a place for Skinner to be getting premium power time like he’s been used to throughout his career. And so he is gonna get a much better chance at that on on the Sharks. So there is a lot of potential here for a Jeff Skinner to pop in 25. And again with his track record, if he goes higher than that, it wouldn’t surprise me. So it’s a good uh it’s a good sort of low lowrisk high reward signing for the Sharks. um kind of typifies and that brings us kind of to our last topic, but it typifies their off season so far. Everyone that they’ve acquired has been either uh one-year contract like Ryan Reeves, he’s going to be UFA after next year or two years at most. Dmitri Orof, they signed him to two-year contract. And it struck me looking at all this stuff and of course it’s not like Mike Greer 100% intended this to be the case. If he was going to chase a Brock Basser or Nikolai Eers, he would obviously need to give them give him a few more years. But look at Okay, so look at San Jose, the Blackhawks, and the Flyers. There’s a reason why I’m comparing all these three teams here, but all these three teams have sort of lynchpin guys that they clearly seem to be building around like this is going to be our franchise guy when we are good and in the playoffs again. And for the Sharks, obviously it’s Mlin celebrating. For Chicago, it’s Conor Bedard. And for the Flyers, it’s M. Bay Mitchk. And look at how much space though the Sharks have in their in their planning for Celibbrini when his extension kicks in. So Mlin Celbrini’s ELC expires 2026 27 and he’s going to be eligible or his new extension is going to whatever that is probably going to be massive at this rate is going to kick in that year. Also, let’s not forget that Will Smith and Yuruslav Ascarov will be eligible for huge extensions then too. So, this may have calculated into a lot of Greer’s thinking his cautiousness in free agency and trades that if he was going to give the years that would bleed into Mlin, Will Smith, and Asparov’s extensions that it had to be for what he deemed to be the right guy. This might be why ML Granland that they didn’t make a better effort to sign him because Granland signed for three years. One of those years is going to bleed into Mlin’s extension be the beginning of Mlin’s extension. I don’t agree with that. But in terms of just because Sharks have so much space, it would have been fine. But that’s neither here nor there though. But the point is that it’s remarkable if you look at Okay, so pull up your puckia. And so we’re going to look at when the extension kicks in for Mechov and and Bardarden. They’re a year earlier. Their draft was a year earlier. So it’s going to be a little different there. But if we look at the Sharks 2027 28, they have just three NHL commitments. They have Kyle Defoy for one extra year. Even that year there is a he has a no movement for up to 2026 27 the duration of celebrini entry level contract but 20 2728 that becomes a 15 team trade list so there’s flexibility to even get out of that contract if if you want there is William’s a different case obviously being just 22 right now so he’s going to be in the middle of his bridge contract his three-year bridge contract at that And only other angel commitment is actually uh only Tomas Hurdle’s retained salary which is a pretty low 1.3875 million. So just three angel commitments for when Mlin’s extension kicks in. Now let’s look at Chicago’s extension. And this is maybe one of the reasons why when I talk with people around the league that people like San Jose’s rebuild more. Even though Chicago has a few more named players right now in terms of veterans, but just that Kyle Davidson is also gonna have some contracts on the books when when Bard’s extension kicks in that maybe he’s not going to want and a couple more than the Sharks will have. The Sharks are risking to Foley right now basically. But okay, let’s look at the Blackhawks 2026 27 and the contracts are the veterans are on on the books for when Connor Baddard’s extension is going to kick in. They have Barakovski granted just a year left but still he’s on the books for 2026 27. They have Bertusi for a couple more years. They have Terot Terrainan for another year. They have Ryan Donado who’s got three years left at that point in 2026 27. They also have Alex Vassic too, but Vloic is in the Equin camp, young player, player you want around. So that’s that’s not that’s not a problem there. But anyway though, those four forwards and they also will need to pay Spencer Knight there. So very similar to Ascarov. So you’re basically be building a lot around Bard and Spencer Knight then. But you’re going to have and granted these aren’t prohibitive contracts on the books. Barosski, Bratusi, Terravine, and Donado all make under 5.5 million. But man, this is not a murderer’s role though. I mean, I I like Tyler Foley more than any of these forwards I think on this list. Barosski, Verusi, Terrain, and Donado, especially if you also add the on the ice element with the Foley, but also the off the ice component. But that that’s my opinion. Berkoski and Bratusi are Terravan and Donado are younger than Tofoley. So they might be better on the in the back half of the contract than to Foley. But right now though, I definitely like Tofoley more than more than any of those guys. And so I I found that interesting and that also again might explain sort of the the caution that that Mike has shown this off season. And he’s not just setting up for to make the team better next year, which he is trying to do, but he is also setting up for three potentially massive extensions in 2027 28 and then filling out the team around that which other teams here I like I mentioned 2026 27 when BAR’s extension kicks in. It looks like Spencer Knight’s the big one, but it’s not Smith celebrating and Asparovs. So let’s look at the Flyers. The Flyers have planned around a lot around a Matt May Mitchkoff and granted um the the Flyers are ahead of sort of competitively, right? They have better vet better players than the Sharks, but the question is how will these contracts age out and will they be able to to be will they be worth the money that they’re making by the time you’ve got to pay Matt Bay Mitchkov and Matt Bay Mishkov actually even though he was Bard’s year came into the league later. So, his extension kicks in during the same year as Celabbrrini and Smith and Ascar 2728. But look at all the contracts that the Sharks I’m sorry the Flyers have on on the books then and we’ll see how how they age, but there’s a lot of contracts here and there there there is some youth here but it’s not as young as Alex Blassic or William Eckllin for sure. So anyway, 27 28 they’ve got Travis Kknney on the books. They have Sean Couttoriier whose contract has not aged quite as his game has been up and down and he’s 32 now. So by the time we get to 27 28 he’s going to be 35 and still have a couple years left on this deal. Owen Tippet Noah Kates both 26 year olds. Again the Flyers are in a different kind of phase. They’re kind of appear like they’re they’re trying to juggle both. A little bit of a rebuild but still trying to be competitive here. And then Travis Sanheim who granted is a bargain at 6.25 25 million, but he’s 29 now. He’s in the prime of his career. And they just signed Cameron York, younger player to a long contract. F. So, he’s going to be on the books. They have veteran Nick Caler on the books, too. So, they’ve got a lot of of money tied up already for by the time Mechov’s extension kicks in. And granted, I’m looking at it, they don’t have anybody like I’m not sure if they have anybody like Spencer Knight, um a Ascarov, a Will Smith that they also need to sign with a Mitchkov. Let me see. I don’t think they do. Let’s look take a quick look at it. At least anybody that I know that they like that much that is in the caliber of a of a Will Smith. Yeah. So they have kind of their their kingping guy in Mitchkov, but I’m not sure about what else that they’ve got, what else they they’re going to like. They obviously have Zegris and Ddale there who were who were great prospects for the Ducks, but who have maybe not quite blossomed into the stars that the Ducks obviously hoped that they would be. And so we’ll see what they bring. So maybe they will be big money extensions for the Flyers, too. Or maybe not. But anyway though, it just I found it very interesting. I’m not saying any one way is right or wrong, but I do look at Chicago’s veterans and I’m not really inspired by them and there might be too many of them. There’s argument for that. And I like a lot of Flyers players now. You like Kknne Sanheim, but are you going to like them in 2728 when you got to pay Matt Veay Mitchoff maybe $10 million? I don’t know. So think that is very very interesting. Anyway, there’s a lot more to talk about this. This isn’t what the show is about, but I think when we talk about Greer’s grand plan, and I wanted to add that to my story yesterday, but um story was getting long. It still clocks in. The story still clocks in at 1500 words. So, I thought ah maybe save it for another time. Maybe I’ll write about or maybe I’ll tell you guys on on the podcast that I found that very very interesting. And it’s just a cursory research too. There’s other teams, other rebuilds. Anaheim, Columbus, not a rebuild, but they have Fantelli 2023 high 2023 pick too. So anyway, there’s there’s other there’s other kind of ways to look at uh to compare the Sharks, too. It’s not just the Blackhawks and the Flyers, but uh it just a cursory search I found very very interesting. But anyway, so thanks so thanks again for putting up with me for 45 minutes or as many of you have told me that you’re putting me at one and a quarter or one and a half speed. I take no offense to that. So whatever gets you through well John London said whatever gets you through the night. So whatever gets you through this podcast but anyway right now we have Steve Peters really excited for this conversation. Talks all about the Sharks lineup opening night what we’re seeing. Granted, we’re just in July, but it’s a lot of fun to talk about and it’s really a lot of fun to talk about with a guy as smart as Steve. So, anyway, here’s Steve. Enjoy the interview. I’ll see you guys next week. Hey, we have a special special guest here on the San Jose Hockey Now podcast. Really really excited to have him. Steve Peters, you’ve been seeing his work. Just follow him at S Peters Hockey. You’ve been seeing his video breakdowns with Dimmitri Filipovich. They’ve been doing some great work there. Also too, just at S Petershockey on Twitter, he’s been doing great video breakdowns. He covered all the playoffs. You can just see a lot of just really in detail stuff. And so really excited to have Steve on here. He was also the video coach of the Phoenix Arizona Coyotes from 1996 to 2020. So again, from the minute that’s a long time, Shank, that’s a long time. Geez. and also video coach of team North America in the 2016 World Cup, former University of North Dakota goalie and he’s now the teleustration producer video breakdowns at ESPN. Hey Steve, how’s it going? I going great, Shane. And you always think playoffs are over and you think, okay, hockeyy’s over, right? And then they throw the draft at us and free agency and here we are again and it just never seems to end and we are always talking hockey. So, I really appreciate you having me on today and getting to talk a little uh San Jose Shark Hockey today. And the reason why I’m having Steve on is because with his coaching background, his video background, can talk to him about sort of some of the Sharks kind of decisions here, how he kind of sees the lines, um, and just some some tactical stuff. So that’s that’s uh really excited to have Steve on there on here to talk about that. And to kind of facilitate this uh we’re going to actually move away a little bit from the lovely faces of of Steve and myself and we’re going to put up uh Puckedia and put up their lines there. And that’s uh we’re going to kind of go go line by line of kind of what we think the Sharks might be kind of hoping to to do on opening night. Now granted, injuries can happen, which will happen, I’m sure. Also, too, Sharks may have something else up their sleeve, but Mike Greer did kind of say that it he thought that they were probably done, but he also mentioned that, hey, yours Ascarov, we traded for him in August. So, of course, anything can happen. But let’s presume right now that the Sharks are done after trading for Ryan Reeves, trading Henry Thun for Ryan Reeves, and signing Jeff Skinner. So, let’s uh pull up this this Puck Pedia page and we’ll kind of break break it down with with Steve. Yeah, you I think Sh I think one of the things interesting here when we talk about San Jose and what they’re going to do, it’s really what do they want to be and what’s next in the progression and and what does Greer see this team becoming? Like if you want to get more wins, I mean, they’re last. They’re you’re last. You’re the you’re the you have 20 wins, your fewest home wins, fewest road wins. You’re last in every major category. So, you need to improve. That’s first and foremost. You have to improve. And I think the fan base needs it. I think the players need it. That you need to see that improvement. But but to what end? And I think you’re really going to see where these lines start to come together. Is the purpose to win more hockey games? Is the purpose to win a few more games and develop younger players? Or is it somewhere in between? And I do think that that’s where you’re seeing with Wasovski and Greer. Like you’re you’re in a tough spot. Like what is this going to be? What is this development going to look like when they start playing up in in September here in in in the fall? Well, yeah. Actually, that’s the first question that I would ask you as I’m trying to fiddle around with this this this setup here. Are the Sharks do you think that that they’re better or is that something that’s better served to answer in a little bit when when uh No, I think they’re better. I I I think he’s made good moves and and I think he’s trying to do things and look, I’m a big believer in you have to get better from the back end out. I think you need to defend better. I think you need to have better goalending. Are they better this year? I mean, Ashov’s you’re looking at a guy that’s he’s a kid. I mean, I think you’re throwing him to the Wolves to some extent, but then you bring in Nadulkovich and and I think Navevel Nadulkovich is a good 1B. I think he he has started. he can play those long stretches of games and I think that’s exactly what we need in San Jose just in case. I mean as maybe he runs eight in a row or 10 in a row and he’s playing great but then maybe there’s a stretch he really struggles and I think it’s gives you some confidence from the back end now that you have that have that ability to play two guys that are fairly even. Hey, let’s make no mistakes like this San Jose Shark team is not ready to run for a Stanley Cup next season and I think fans understand that. Management clearly understands that. But they need to show improvement and they need to be better. And I do think some of the players they’ve brought in and and through trades, free agency, what have you. I think they are better and I think they’re better on paper. So, it’s just a matter of how we’re going to put all these guys together and we’re the odd man out because forwards and more D than fit into a roster right now, right? And so, let’s get into that right now. And uh just if you guys are watching or listening, so right now I have from Puckedia, they have a handy kind of line chart that can kind of move things around. Now, don’t look at really what’s up there right now because right now what we have there is kind of their their default. And so um so let’s let’s kind of move away from from this this default. I’m going to actually send a lot of people down right now. So don’t worry, guys. I just the power you wish you had Shane is send you guys down to the miners. Just send Wenberg down. Pretty sure he’s not getting sent down. Shark fan. But it’s interesting just to look at Wenberg and we’ll talk about as you send him down is is not just what line does he play, but what role do they want some of these veteran guys to play? Is it going to be again we talked about that that dichotomy of winning games are improving and their youth and and and a player Wenberg’s exactly a perfect example like he’s a guy that can help you win he’s an experienced 200 foot player can play play anywhere up and down your lineup but do you need to have that spot for a Will Smith do you need to have him be on the wing now to help to help nurture a young player along and and I think that’s going to be some of the bigger decisions that the coaching staff is going to have when they sit down at training camp who who fits into their natural positions and who is going to be there to to help the younger players get better and exactly a perfect example of that. I’ve just sent Mlin celebrating down guys. That’d be the last day you worked in San Jose. Shane, you’d be done. First I I did a fan favorite move by sending down Ryan Reeves, which I’m sure people want to see, but yeah, we’ll have to talk about that as we get down in this lineup. But okay, so I wonder your your approach with this, Steve, that are you kind of uh thinking about kind of a balanced group or is it more like you’re just kind of putting together like the best first line, best second line? How are you kind of approaching just so Well, I tell you I tell you peak behind the curtain what coaches are going to do when they’re trying to develop this stuff getting ready for training camp. And by the way, the lines they’re coming up with now in the middle of July are going to change after they skated once because you get excited about a trio and you think, gosh, these guys are going to be great together. And you plan it and you plan it and then one or two days into practice, you go, it’s it’s not working, right? And I we’ve saw it in the Arizona Coyotes over and over. Hey, these guys are going to be great together. And they’re just not. I like to see, and I’ve learned this from coaches like Dave Tippet, is you usually start with pairs up front. You do duos. You don’t look for a group of three. You look through a group of two and when I look at the top line for the San Jose Sharks, I think clearly we’re not going to think outside the box too far. This Mlin Celibbrin is the number one center of the San Jose Sharks. Okay. So, okay. Mlin Celbrini is Yeah, he’s the he’s the number one center. I I think that’s his future of this team. I think that’s where he belongs. I think that that he is the number one center of the future and the present. And I really do. So, he’s he’s earned a call up here. Yeah, he has got a call up and he’s the number one center. But then you have to look at but who’s his who’s his dynamic duo? Who’s the guy that makes him better and who’s the guy that that you want to have him playing with for sure. And for me, it’s William Ecklin. Okay. And I think that you saw that dynamic duo throughout the season last year. And I like those two together. I think this is an opportunity if you got a 22-y old and a 19-year-old that can grow together and not just get those key minutes now, but it’s the key minutes in the future when they’re going to be winning, right? And I think that’s important. And I think you’re going to say, “Hey, okay, they’re good now.” uh on an on an average team, but when this team is good and buddy, I I believe this is going to be a really good hockey team because of their young players and when we talk about three years advance three years from now, it’s Chicago and San Jose and you know, potentially Utah battling this thing out, maybe throw Anaheim in there, too. But that they’re the teams in the West that are going to be dangerous and it’s because of these young players. What do you think, Shang? Are we are we on track for these two players on the top line? I I wonder what you think in terms of how why their skills blend that you you think that this is the pick for the duel. Some Sharks fans might say, well, Celibbrini and Tofoley because obviously you have the the the rookie and the vet, the the playmaker and the shooter. Um, also some people will say Celbrini and Will Smith just for the vibes. So why why why Eklan and Cel? The problem and the problem with Will Smith because I like Will Smith’s energy and I like his ability to get pucks to the net and I like how he plays from the blue line in. The problem with Will Smith is Greer says he’s going to be a center, right? And if if Greer says he’s going to be a center, well, Melbourne, he’s going to be a center like period. So you’re kind of if Will Smith’s going to get reps at center, and having said that, I’m going to get way ahead of myself, Shane. If you’re going to give Will Smith reps at center, you can’t have Michael Misa have reps at center, right? because you cannot have an 18, a 19, and a 20-year-old in your one, two, three lines up. That’d be crazy. Can’t believe it could happen. But yeah. Yeah. If you want to play for the world juniors, fine. But you’re playing in the National Hockey League, you’re going to get pushed around. They’re they’re they won’t win any faceoffs. They’re going to struggle. And so I think that that’s where we’re talking about if we’re going to put Will Smith at center. Let’s I say like I know you can juggle me around, but let’s let’s drop in Will Smith as a number two seed. Yeah, let’s do that then. Yeah, we’ll we’ll jump around a little bit here. Okay. Hey, Williver and a call up. Good for you. Good job. Because I do think that it’s interesting where what’s going to happen on the wings of both of these players. And I think it’s going to be interesting. And I think Will Smith, now again, this is just going to film because that’s what I do. I I watch film and I there’s a player I’m actually really excited about playing with Will Smith. It’s a new player to the franchise. It’s a guy he’s got, man, he’s got good energy. He he can put the puck in the net. He drives the net from the right side. and and I picture him with Will Smith just as another tandem. And on that right side, I really like another he’s a guy that’s put up can put up 20 goals in the league is Adam Goddet. And you watch Oh, that’s a very spicy take. Okay. I I I like this. Okay. But he’s a bigger player that can get to the net. He’s got a dangerous shot. He can put up numbers. And I like his pace and he’s 28, but he plays like a 22 year old. I mean, the energy this kid plays with. Okay. Not my first line, but here you go. Second line. Yeah. I I think this kid and he’s a I keep calling him a kid. Um I like him and I think he’s kind of the energy that that can go along with Will Smith. The good news is he can take draws if you have to. He’s also one of those versatile centermen and he’s a right wing. So if Will Will has to play on the right side if if there’s ever issues, it’s easy interchangeable those two guys taking draws right side, right? Yep. Yep. So So I really like that as a tandem. What do you think, Shane? I way outside the box on that one. No, no. The Sharks honestly are not a great team. So, so these are these are these are reasonable kind of and like you mentioned when coaches put this together too. It’s not like it’s not like a fancy lineup but just put our best players on first line, best scorers on a second line. It’s about trying to find a balance of skills uh to accentuate each other to elevate each other. And so what I would ask you about God is I think it’s a really interesting pick. Goddess had a really kind of weward career. Um, a winding career, I would say. Winding path of a career. Five years ago in Vancouver, he put up 33 points in I think 59 games. He looked like he was going to be a regular top nine kind of kind of guy. And then for four years there, he just was kind of bouncing around before he sort of found his game in Ottawa. 19 career guy 19 goals last year. And really just kind of like a fourthline role. He played about 10 minutes a night and played on the second power play unit for for the Senators. Really interesting player actually. There’s not a lot of players like that in the league that play fourth line minutes and with a with a heavy emphasis on power play and he’s good on a power play too. Only other guy I can think of off the top is like a Stephan Nason a couple years ago. But but he’s he’s a better skilled player than that. He’s really good from the hash marks in and he’s a guy that can finish. And I do think he’s a bigger guy that can get inside. Right. And you talk about this fourth line ability, but he skates well enough that he can play higher in the lineup. And again, temper some of this to your point. Do do the San Jose Sharks have six forwards that are better? The answer is yes. But do they have six forwards that better that fit? And do you want that balance down through your lineup to to carry down through your third line? Yes. And I think that they do. So again, that’s why I I I tell you what, he might be playing on the fourth line on the wing when this whole season starts and some of these guys might not even be in the lineup when the season starts, but I do again I just I watched a lot of film this morning on him and I was he got me excited and it got me excited to play with a guy like Will Smith. I think the two of them will find this chemistry that you saw from the top line at times last year. Like the San Jose top line, man, there were some really high-end skilled goals and skilled plays in that trio in the 70s line. And I think that you’re going to find some chemistry with Will Smith and Godette as well. And maybe I like and actually um I’ll I’ll show everybody who’s who’s listening watching here. I’ll show everybody later. But the one of the reasons why that I had Steve I’m having Steve on here too because I knew he was going to be prepared for this. So the second I I asked him to come on. He was already doing uh postits with lines and players like you like he mentioned he was watching the video uh today. So this is actually a real treat. We’re lucky to get Steve in a bit of offseason moment here before the regular season grind to to have him basically be the video coach for for the for the Sharks for for a morning. So, and I but I but I want to temper it though Shane like like and that’s why your thoughts you like you know the personalities of these players and you see these guys 82 games a year and you see them on and off the ice a and your input is invaluable here like I’m just looking at I just if I don’t see it I don’t say it but I also don’t see them play 82 games a year and so I might be just getting the wrong highlights and seeing things I want to have a reason why I say things and I’m also going to look at at experience and veteran what kind of a player they are and that’s why this left wing on that line is going to be really hard. It’s a really hard tough spot. I’m picking that one out. So, I’m going to hold that off for a minute. Yeah. Well, the the Godette part I haven’t seen enough enough tape of him, but I think it is intriguing pick be I think that it’s hard to because when you look at this and you kind of think like, okay, Celabbrini and let’s say Ekkan are my my dynamic duel. like you said, a lot of coaches like to kind of kind of think in in duels, right? And so if you want to say like in in a construction of of this of of lines that everybody listening that you saw last week that I did without Jeff Skinner and without Ryan Greavves, I actually put Tyler Tofoley with Will Smith on the second line. Not that Tyler Tyler is clearly the best right winger on the Sharks, but sure it’s we’re talking about balance here, right? and you but you can’t do Skinner Smith and Tofoley. That doesn’t really make sense. You can’t that’s just not a good kind of balancing of your resources there. And so I I was having a challenge going into this in terms of what makes sense on second line right wing. And so that’s why I like your your pick. I actually already had God kind of moving up in a lineup from his Ottawa minutes just because I could see the potential there too. Last week I had him on third line right wing and now he’s been promoted. So he’s done a lot in the last year. Well, but but you know what this does though, Shen, it does allow you to keep who I think is the best right winger on this team on the top line. Yes. And I do think when you go back and watch Ekkan Celbr and Tyler Tofoley play. I I’ve liked Tyler Tofo for a very long time. And I’ll another behind the curtain story. We were in Arizona and uh John Chik was the general manager. Rick Tocket was the coach and it was getting we were talking about trades. Arizona was first place surprisingly at that time in 20 to 2019. It was before co co and we were talking about Tyler Foley. We needed a right-wing guy that can score, can play Shane Don, a guy that can be just a a cog in the wheel in Arizona. And two days later, we got Taylor Hall. Oh, right. Taylor Hall didn’t fit and and it didn’t work with where Arizona was. And that’s why we’re talking about what pieces fit and and that’s why what fits in San Jose doesn’t fit necessarily in Minnesota or Colorado or Dallas, but it can fit in San Jose. And I think Tyler Foley is an exceptional goalcoring rightwinger. I think he gets to the net. I think he make high skilled plays. He’s going to play on your power play. And I also like this that you’re getting your power play guys spread out between your top two lines, especially if that’s a guy that might get some second second um second term power play. So, I like this top line. I think they they’ve earned the right to play together again and I think they’re very creative. Um they know each other well and I think this bodess well for them going into camp. Yeah. I I think that acquiring SM Skinner, we haven’t talked about him yet on the lines, but it gives the Sharks a chance to kind of balance things out. Kind of like like you say here that now it makes sense to put to Foley on the first line. You don’t need to desperately hold like give Smith somebody to play with and and and pair Smith with the Foley here because you have other option here now for for Smith possibly. And also I love your point about fit. Like back then Taylor Hall no not casting any spursions on Taylor but Taylor Hall was coming off a couple years away from being an MVP a speed demon like he was the big name right but sometimes it’s just about fit and a guy like the Foley slower just smart knows where to go to score and shoot sometimes is a better fit for your team than a guy that is racing with with the puck head on fire from one end to to another. and and he’s and he’s a veteran guy. I mean, he’s a 33 year old player that knows how to play in the league and and I think when you look down the line, you got 19 and 22 year old on on your side there. It’s good to have somebody that’s been through the wars before and been through different situations. And I think you’re going to see that as a balance throughout this lineup is is you’re going to see these young players. And that’s one of the reasons I think Godet was Smith because I I don’t think God plays like a 28-y old. I I do think he’s got the energy of a young guy and I’m curious to see how he comes into camp. But but the hard part now is the left wing with that second line. Okay. Because because I I know we’re thinking Skinner, right? Right. Yeah. And Skinner is the guy here. I’ve got three guys. I’ve got three guys. Three guys thinking of, but are you the guys I’m thinking of? I Skinner is one of the three. Oh, okay. So, you’re not sure yet. Okay. No, I’m I’m not I my first I put Philip Kurishv. So, Kurishv, Philipe Kurishv I put there and I know he plays a lot on the right side, but in Chicago last year when he was playing with Bedard, he played a lot on the left. And again, we’re talking 25y old. Yeah. Yeah. He’s a 25-year-old left-handed winger that can play with pace and play with speed. I am concerned about putting him with Will Smith and their ability to defend. And Kurishv, if he does have something, I’m a little worried about his ability to play a 200 foot game and play in the defensive zone. And I think he’s a guy that’s still at his age looking for consistency in his game. Sure. Of course. Yeah. I I do think if you’re looking for all out speed, I like him. But speed and skill, I do like him better than Skinner. Um because Skinner’s 33 and he’s getting a little long in the tooth. Um so one of the reasons I put him there. And then the third guy is really tough. Shane, you’re going to not like me is because I put I I’ll Wenberg there. Another guy that’s could play center when Will Smith can’t take draws. He’s a left-hander. So we can put him on the left wing. And now you’re talking experience. You go Wenberg, Smith, Godette. you throw them out as your second line. Now you got balanced scoring in your top two lines. You got high skill. You got young players playing with veteran players. But it’s tough because you want winber playing down the middle. Quite enough depth. Um in terms of you you mentioned, we talked about this earlier. The Sharks have a lot of guys who can play center. I mean Kurishv and and God for example who will probably end up on the wing. But you have three good centers. And you really have two centers that you feel good about the Sharks right now. Mlin and Alex Wenberg and Will Smith is really a question mark just because he played wing most of the year. But you’re assuming that Will number four pick and that that’s doing some some heavy lifting here and you assume that he jump next year to be center. But here’s funny but here’s the funny thing. Now that I look at my lines, the way I’ve got him arranged I I might I like Skinner with Wenberg. So, I put Skinner on the left with Wenberg in the middle. So, now my two and three lines could be interchangeable. Okay. Um, but I You’re right because Wenberg’s my two, Will’s my three. Mhm. But they’re like 2 A, 2B. Like they’re going to have those kind of minutes. So, I’ve like I’ve got Wenberg in the middle of the third line with Jeff Skinner on his left. Now, I I would counter this though that the the my my my issue with with doing that. It makes sense in terms of the on the ice stuff because last year Alex’s greatest success was when he was with Tyler Defoley and we know with Alex as kind of fabulously talented as he is he doesn’t like to shoot and so you you need to put him with somebody who will shoot which is Tyler DeFoley which is Jeff Skinner. So on a deeper team Skinner and Weberg on a third line actually is that’s that’s a that that could take you to that could help get you to the playoffs. Yeah that’s a playoff third line. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It’s not going to drive you to the playoffs, but like if you have a guy who can possibly pop in 25 35 goals and with a allaround guy like Wenberg on your third line, I mean that’s Yeah. But that leaves a gaping hole though at your both it leaves a gaping hole in your second line left wing and your third line right wing. Both of those are holes that are tough to fill. And that’s when we talk about again this depth of this team. You know, you’ve nice players. I mean, I like Barkley Goodro. is a nice player. You know, Ty Dandria, nice player, but but they’re all guys that are on the bottom of the lineup. Right. Right. Brunstrom, Reeves, all those. Yeah. Grumpson, Reeves, Delandria, they’re all bottom of the lineup guys. So now it’s filling these two holes that’s tough for me. And I know like Kurishv is going to be one of the two. Like he’s going to play right side with Weber and Skinner or he’s going to play on the left side with Smith and Godet. But if you don’t put him up there with Smith and Godette, now you got a big hole. for balance. Could I argue then that now you have celebrating to fully together? So is your argument to drop Ekan down and then move Kurishv up and then suddenly and that could be more balanced. Yeah. Have a lot more balance. So yeah, and that could be too and that might make some sense especially we’re talking about pairs and we were worried to had to come down to help balance Will Smith. Yeah. But now we got a player like if we bring Ecklan down here, another young dynamic player to play with Will Smith, a guy that’s they’re going to put up points and you put uh Kurashv, a guy who’s played with Connor Bard. Yeah, let’s put up Kurashv. Yeah, but Kurishv’s played with Bard and he’s played with some of the best young talent in the National Hockey League and he played his best hockey when he played with Bard. And so I I think again and I think this is where people get you’ve got to balance lines that fit and you can’t just say our three best players are first and our next three are next. Doesn’t work that way. Okay. Are you okay? I like this whole drop Ein down then. Yeah I am. Not really a drop but just a we’re balancing things or we but again it’s balanced now. You’ve got three lines. If you do this and put Kurishv there and you want to know who my right wing is with Wenberg. Okay. So, I’ve got an experienced line that can play up and down the ice. I put Barkley Goodrell there. And I know you’re not as high on agree with that one because I know you’re not as high on Good as I am. Yeah, I know you’re not as high on him, but if I got Skinner Weber and Barkley Goodro, I got a veteran experienced group that I can go either side of the puck and I can feel fine about. Um I’m worried about their speed and their pace with with Goodro. Um but but I that’s why I put in there. So now if you don’t put him there then it gets now it’s back to where we were again. Now it’s getting Yeah. With with Barkley it’s you know this is the Bley Gadro from a couple years ago. I have no issue with this but Barkley looked like he may have lost something even even last year and that’s why the Rangers let him go if Yeah. was what what they signed then they would have kept him. out. Um, well, and so let’s work our way bottom way up then, Shane, because I know and here’s one player we haven’t mentioned yet is is Ryan Reeves. Ryan Reeves is not in the lineup. He’s not in my starting lineup for the San Jose Sharks. I I don’t know. I don’t see the 38-year-old tough guy playing in the Pacific Division. I look through the Pacific Division trying to find someone that he’s going to fight on a regular basis. I don’t see who that player is. Um, if he’s not going to fight, he doesn’t belong in the lineup for me, right? Because he’s not quick enough. He doesn’t provide any offense. All he’s going to do is take penalties trying to get guys to fight him. It seems to me based on talking with people, talking with scouts that if we’re talking about the Ryan Ree 5 years ago, Ryan Ree 5 years ago was still a poor a sure presence. He still was to be feared on a for check, but it appears though, yes, on a fourth line role, he could be a guy that could be dangerous and go, “Oh, he’s on the ice.” I don’t think that’s that, especially with the fleet of foot defenseman in the National Hockey League right now. I’m not sure how many guys are. And no offense to Ryan Reeves, a great career. 38 and and he plays a particular role. I just don’t see that role being a valid position in the Pacific division right now. If you’re playing with Ryan though, like he is I don’t think they’re going to send him right down. So I think he’s got to be in as your 13th forward at least. I’m going to at 13. Yeah, he’s your 13th forward. 100% he’s your 13th forward. You can’t have him like do you want him do you want like if you want Colin Graph, do you want Colin Graph sitting every night? Not saying he’s not saying he’s not going to be in the lineup. No, no, he can be in the lineup. Yeah, he could be. I’m saying would you would you play Reeves that have Colin Graph? The answer is no. If you’re going to play Colin Graph, you want Colin Graph playing. So, if you’re going to have somebody sitting and riding in a bus or not playing, it’s Ryan Reeves. Well, how about I’m not saying Graph’s in. Yeah. I’m not saying Graphan. Okay. I’m just saying if because we got our fourth line center, we agree on this, right? Zack’s playing fourth line center. You like Zack there? Okay. Yeah. No, I I think he’s he’s the he’s the guy that um they want there, though. Giles did did look okay at 4C last year, so he’s definitely a contender. He’s in the mix for sure. But they didn’t trade Fabian Zetterland uh for, you know, they they traded Fabian Zetland to get a guy that they thought would be their 4C of the future in Osafuk and possibly 3C if everything works out. But that’s that’s kind of But I think I think he fits here. Now you look through the middle of the ice, you’ve got some some experience, some size, some speed, some youth. Like I I think you’ve got a good mix up the middle right now. And you’ve got enough guys that can play center that can fill in if Will Smith can’t tow the rope. You know, somebody else can can jump in there and then so Ty Dandria, where do you want Dandria? Well, I want to put argument for Graph actually because Graph last year and you know, granted this was for a very bad team. Um, so it’s hard to read too much into it, but they started using Graph as a as a top penalty killer. Um, Graph is is is and they they used them on the top nine for the most part. Granted, they didn’t have a lot of options. So So this is highest recommendation, but I would have graph ahead of Gadro on on on the three RW at least. And again, this is this Shang this is really goes this is going to be where development becomes part of the issue and and where does Greer see and graph again. Yes, if we put him on the right side there instead of Gudro on the third line then we got experience. We can get him some touches and and get him to grow with like two experienced really good National Hockey League players which is ideal. So I have no problem putting him there. I don’t want to see him playing on the fourth line. No, I I agree. I agree. I agree. And he’s waver exempt. So, he’s better served um if he’s if if fourth line is his only space for him to just send it. Yeah. Then he’s got to players because if he’s in the barracuda, no, he’s topline players playing power play. He’s playing every And this is where it’s hard when you’re when you’re 20 to 23, even 24 at times. What’s better? And and some people will argue getting the getting the minutes against the best players in the world in the National Hockey League is important. and others will argue it’s better getting the right minutes against the right opponents in the American League. And Graph’s going to be interesting because he’s a guy I I I think training camp’s going to be vital for him to show that he can play at that kind of a pace with these guys consistently. Um because now you’re going to get you’re going to get somebody’s going to either have to get somebody got in a one-way contract’s either going to have to get sent down or you’re going to have to make a move because now we’re we’re starting to get stocked up here. And you know who else we have? very interesting looking group and so I want to lay it out there if you can’t watch this on YouTube. So we’ve kind of talked about it and and maybe I I should have I should have done a better job of breaking down line by line but right now though we have Kurishv Celabbrini and Tofoley on your first line. Again keep in mind we’re keep in mind that we’re just trying to balance things out. Um um it’s not necessarily like your your best uh on your first line. Eklyn Smith, pair them together with Adam Goddet on your second line. It looks like we have decided on Skinner, Wenberg, and Graph on your third line. Um Ryan Reeves in Steve’s estimation and mine, too. Uh wouldn’t necessarily be on the roster, but he’s here. Um Mike, he does have a value. He does do something that all these other guys can’t do. and not just fight, but just have that sort of that when people coaches and GMs love to use that phrase like he makes everybody feel a little bit taller. Nobody else on the Sharks can can do that. Now, if Reeves can do that, add the intangible value to Minelbrini’s game, to Will Smith’s game, then who I I who are we to to to how do you say argue with that intangible value? I don’t see it. You don’t see it. But he’s here, so he’s number he’s our 13th forward. Um, but you’re right. And there are times, Shang, and I want to say this about Ryan Reeves, there are times when a player like that, especially when you’re looking at a team full of 18, 19, and 20 year olds that Yeah, they do feel a little bit better when you’ve got some muscle in behind it. Yeah, absolutely is. And I and I don’t want to to to say that doesn’t exist, but I’m just again I’m thinking of the teams they’re playing on a nightly basis. Vancouver doesn’t have that guy. Calgary doesn’t have that guy. Edmonton doesn’t have that guy. Like I I just I’m not sure when they go out east. Yeah, he’s going to get on the ice and and certain nights maybe they’ve got a a two game set against the LA Kings, you know, a week apart and there were some dust ups in the first game. Well, Ryan Reeves will be there in the second game and so yeah, I I think there will be he will be a a weapon to be used at the right time and and so I do think he is important to have on the roster for the right moments. Yeah, I think long run, we haven’t got there yet because we haven’t got to the defense, but right now I I think the Sharks opening night, if they stay healthy, we’ll we’ll run 13 forwards, eight defenseman, and two goalies. Uh because you want to fit Sam Dickinson into the the defense. But if uh uh but once Dickinson that situation resolves itself like whether or not he stays in the in in the NHL or not or they send him back to London then ideally you probably want 14th for 14 forwards and have Reeves be your 14th guy and sort of slot him in when when you need that weapon. But anyway, that’s that’s we haven’t got to the defense yet. Um so we have stop and good stop there and good drill there. Now we’ve got one player to fit left winger on the fourth line. We have a lot Carl Grunt. So we got Grundstrom. Yeah, I want to read off the names really fast. So we have uh Grundstrom still looking for a spot. Deandria. Um Aanise. We haven’t even talked about Michael Misa yet. I know he’s up on the side of my board because I have thoughts. Patrick uh Patrick Giles, too. Um though he’s mostly a center. And yeah, so one of these guys um to me Giles and it’s Grunstrom and Dandria are the two and who who can be for again for me and we’ll then we’ll have the Michael Misa discussion because I think it’s important between those two who is more effective and can do more things for a young club. Yeah, I I think Runstrom is definitely the more skilled player, but Dandrea is kind of more speed maybe. And Dandre’s got a better motor, right? Like I like DeAndre a lot. And a 24 year old kid that can play in the middle, they can play on the right side. And I’m sure if he wants if they need him to play on the left side, I’m sure he can. Well, we got Barkley can play on the left side and he can play on the right. So I like Deandria in the lineup over Grundstrom. And that’s what we’re talking about, those two extra forwards. Then it’s Grunstrom and Reeves. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. I’m gonna put I’m gonna put Gudro over on the left and I’m gonna put Dandre on the right. Okay. Okay. Okay. Let’s see what And then before we go to the D though, I do want to talk about Michael Misa. Yes. Because this is tough because Michael Misa the only the problem in his mind he he’s gonna compete for a job. So he says in training camper said he’s gonna compete for a job in training camp. like it. Y the problem is is what do you want to see him long term in the national? It doesn’t mean he has to start as a center today. It doesn’t mean that he can start as a wing. You know, he’s played a lot of wing in his career. He’s played left wing. That’s fine. Um but where do you want him long term? Do you want him to be a center long term? Because if you are, you need him get him reps in the middle of the ice. And we already said you can’t do that if you’re going to say Will Smith is going to get reps. Well, I would argue with that though because the Sharks have done this before where they started a guy that they believe is a center long term on the wing and then transitioned him over. Yeah. Tomas Shurle was example of that where they always knew that they he would end up in the middle end up in the middle but they start off in in in wing at the beginning. Um and Smith obviously is the example of that though it hasn’t worked yet like it did with Hurdle. We don’t know what’s going to happen with Will Smith yet. So I think with Misa and just a reminder to everybody and we talked about Misa last week uh when he did play wing for Sagenol uh before last year it was mostly on the left side and so I think you want to make him if you do put him on the wing you want to put him on a side that he more comfort in for sure and so that’s kind of what we’re talking about maybe him on the left side but right now though if in our construction it’s kind of hard because you don’t want Misa on the fourth line and he’s not going to play over Ekkan and you just signed Skinner so he’s probably not going to play over Skinner. Uh maybe Kurichev, but you got to also find a spot for Misa if you have him up on the power play, too. So, I’m not really sure. Yeah. So, that’s when it gets hard and and that’s what I’m saying. When you if you put Misa in the lineup, well, then we can go back to to people really have to move around. Then Ekkan moves back up. Kurishev, I put Eklan back up with Celibbrini. Then Kurishv moves down. Goddette moves down and graph might move out. Yeah. So, you’re looking at Graph or Misa. So, if for me, if Misa is going into my lineup, I put Eklan back with Celebrini. And maybe Misa’s playing with Smith and Kurishv or you’ve got I really like Misa to play with somebody a little more veteran than Will Smith. I mean, how about Misa? This this might be crazy, but if it’s uh Misa for Graph and let’s say you send Graph down to the Barracuda just to get those reps that you put Misa on our first line here with celebrating to Foley and then you put Kurishv down on your third ship down with Wenberg Skinner. Yeah. No, that that and that that can work because you can’t have like we said, we can’t have Misa playing on the on the right. I I don’t think that’s fair to a kid to put him on his off side when he hasn’t played that position and you’re putting if if you can put him with Mlin Celibbrini. The problem now is if I’m defending that group and I’m on the other side in the other locker room. I’m looking at that going I’ve got Mis Cbr. Well, I’m I’m loading up like and I’m going to put heavy veteran guys against that group and then then you bring in the argument for Ryan Reeves because if you’re putting me in the lineup, I I would I think the argument for Ryan Reeves becomes much bigger and that’s why I’m not sure this is this is now you’ve got now you’ve got two too many forwards and I think it’s easy to put graph down. If me plays, Graph goes down. I I don’t see any way that he can stay. Um especially with the new acquisition of Kurishv. Kurishv moves down the lineup. I actually do if you’re going to put me in the lineup I think to start day one. Mhm. Throw him out there. Celebrini. Let’s see how you do, kid. Let’s give him a chance, right? Let’s see. Let’s see how how they do work out. And even though Celine is just 19, I treat Celine like a veteran. He’s Angel strong. He’s so bigger. He’s stronger. Yeah, he’s not 19. He is the way he plays. And Tofo is the experienced 33-year-old. And it could be incredibly dynamic. And Kurishv can play on either side. He’s done it in his career. So he can put him over the right side easily. And then you move Godette down and and I think everything works out. So So the ability is there for Michael Misa. I I I believe that. And he is incredibly dynamic. But take it with a grain of salt. Like where is the best path for Michael Misa to be the best player in two years, right? Because I think that’s the important discussion for San Jose Shark fans. Is it playing there and not finding the offensive success he had in the Ontario League and not being able to play the minutes that he played there? Or is he going to jump right on the ice and play with Celebrin and they’re going to be amazing off the bat? I I I don’t know. But his his ability to go back to the Ontario League makes no sense to me. Like that he he crushed that league. Like he crushed it last year. He did. But you kind of don’t have a lot of options though. Um one thing I’m still trying to figure out is can Michael Misa go to training camp without signing an ELC and sign an ATO so he can kind of compete and Sharks can see what they’ve got and still retain his NCAA eligibility? NCAA eligibility. Yeah. But nobody knows the answer to that. Honestly, that’s the question. I’ve asked the question agents don’t know. Well, I asked the PA. The Angel PA said, “Ask the NCAA.” I put in an email to NCAA. I’m still waiting to hear from them. It’s been a week because that’s the answer because that’s to me that’s to me and again I this is a shifting landscape with where the best development now is for players with what the NCAA is doing. Like can you see him with McKenna next year? Look at what Well, you know, you don’t know. I kind of assume though that they put a lot of their NLI money into McKenna that they honestly honestly put so much also too before McKenna I I would say that it made it would have made sense for Michael to go to Penn State and play with his brother and I don’t know I’m not so familiar with with college so you can correct me if I’m wrong but sure if I’m Michael Misa and I’m looking at it now like there’s only one player who would get at about this age that would get reps over Misa uh development reps over Misa at at at as at at at a school or on a team and that’s Gavin McKenna. And so suddenly becomes less attractive because suddenly I’m not necessarily going to be forced or shoehorned in or whatever like uh or written in pen on on PP1 and for uh end of the game situations. And so if I’m if I’m Michael Misa and I’m the Sharks, if I’m looking at a situation even Sagena or any college situation, I want to go somewhere where if it’s not the NHL, I want to go somewhere where I’m undisputably the number one guy. I’m going to get that sort of uh weight so I can develop and be better and and learn to be the number one guy or or continue doing that at least. And with Penn State and McKenna there, I don’t know if that exists anymore. And it’s funny though because there’s something to be said here because going going back to play in the Ontario League there’s he he’s going to put up numbers again. He’s going to be the offensive out. He’s going to get all of those minutes that we’re talking about him getting. The one thing about college that I like is their ability to prepare players Monday through Thursday and and junior is more of an NHL pace. You learn to play games, you know, three, four games a week and you’re it’s different. You go to college and you practice and you practice a lot and you practice four days and as much as you want and your video and your nutrition and your weight room stuff, it’s a more well well-rounded development and it’s something that was unheard of a decade ago. If you’re talking about the top draft picks playing in college, you would said, “No way is that happening.” But you see it. It’s happening over and over again. So for Michael Misa, I I know in his mind he’s going to make this team. I I think Greer is saying the right things that the opportunity is there for him to make this team. It’s just hard because how many 18 to 22 year olds can you have in your lineup? How many guys are you trying to develop at the exact same time? It gets hard and you become what the Evans Oilers did when they had four first overall picks. Hey, so maybe Arizona State say that I was thinking the same thing. I was thinking Arizona State every day. I was thinking I honestly was thinking the exact same thing. It’s it’s playing the best conference in hockey and it’s right down the road from from San Jose. They can keep an eye on him and I I tell you what, they got the Colin Potter kid that can play on his wing and I don’t know. Interesting. But but if Michael Misa makes this team I and I don’t know I don’t know on average two get to one or two kids make it out of their draft year to play, right? And that’s it. And is Michael Misa one of those guys? Yeah. I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m not as sure about him obviously like uh I was with Mlin and I do think that the when I watched Misa and Grant is just development camp but I do think that the physicality or whatnot which is normal for 18-year-old is not quite there yet. So is he going to be quick enough and smart enough to to survive in the NHL I he may be he may well be I I’m not sure. So we’re good Shang we’re good with the forwards we’re good like this without leave kind of Misa hanging. We’ll see what happens. Let’s move to the the But if he does make it, we both agreed if he does make it, he’s got to play with Celbrini on the top and then we move some people. I do I do like that idea. Let’s try it and see see if it works out. Yeah, don’t like I agree with you that him Chev goes to Godette spot. Yeah, moves down moves down could work. Him Wber could work too, but anyway though. Yeah, we just leave it at Let’s get to the back end because I think this will be easier. Yeah, I think it will. Well, there’s fewer players so let’s hope it’s easier. So, let’s hope I think this is going to be your top six. I know that uh uh for now I think we can put uh Dehar as your Oh, I’m not sending him down. I’m just grouping him in. And let’s call up Let’s call up Sam Dickinson because I think Dickinson should start the season with the team to see where his team is at. Yeah. But uh so let’s call him up and we can we can work we can work this out then. So, let’s Yeah, I I like it. And And I tell you what, I I the only the only thing I disagree with right here. I I think the pair This is this isn’t the natural or this is what uh what Puck PD had, but I mean I have uh myself up there. Same. And I’m gonna move this. I put Letty on the left. I put Ley on the left. But but but I’ve seen I think they want Maduna up here though. So higher in the lineup. Yeah. Yeah. They he was playing top four end of season last year. The last month or so, he was playing uh he was top four, but that was without Orlov and Clingberg. Oh, sure. Sure. Sure. Sure. So, I’ll let you I think like Ferraro Shakira over Ferraro. See, I think Ferraro’s I really like Ferraro’s game. I really Okay. His game is very very hotly contested. So really then see I I I I think I think with Shakira it gives him the opportunity to play with I had Shakir with Lety and I did keep the pair together with Ferraro Ligin and I think Lilligan to me is the one that needs the most improvement. I I I I think they that he showed at times his ability to skate and get himself out of some danger, but he looked he looked young to me. He played young to me at times where I thought he’s 25 already. I know. But I thought Ferraro played with that confidence and I I I like Ferraro’s game. I think with Ferraro the debate I mean when you talk with with scouts it’s just that like he’s a great one-on-one defender but like he doesn’t bring much else. Obviously the puck moving aspect is not strong with him. Last year they did him no favors by they started him up last season with Yon Ruda. So that’s not a good pairing just because it’s two guys who don’t really move the puck well together. And also too over the last four years with the Sharks because they’ve had nobody else, he was basically their number one defenseman or their number one shutdown defenseman. Really just rolls. But he’s not getting those minutes now, right? Like he’s not getting those minutes now. Like Or’s getting those minutes. Like Orv and Clingberg to me, they’re first over the boards in any situation. Now, do you split those two guys up? Do you split Clingberg and Orlav up to to help pull some get more experience um with with with those other two? I I don’t think Lil can play that high in the lineup. Like I didn’t want to put him with Orof because I didn’t like him on that pair. No. No, I don’t either. Yeah. And so if you we talk about I like Ferraro on the second pair. If you think you like Shakir, can Shakir play on the right side with Ferraro? I don’t love that. He did last year. Yeah. I mean last played quite a bit with him, didn’t he? And they were they were basically functionally the Sharks stopped pairing Ferraro and Mukuma Madulan on the right side. So Mukadoul disaster. They weren’t a disaster. they, you know, so if you have to have him higher in the lineup to play more minutes, you put him on the right side because he played with the right side when he played for during the season. Then you put Letty on the left and Lilligrin down on the right. But I think that’s your six. I think we agree that that’s the six. Those are your six unless Sam Dickinson does something that surprising. Yeah. And then the guy he probably pushes out might be a might be a Lagrin then. And then then you have to kind of flip-flop. Somebody has to play their offside there because Ligrin is a is a righty. That’s his that’s his big strength. I did want to ask you actually because you you cover the playoffs so closely uh for for ESPN and on your Twitter as Peters hockey um about Orlof Clingberg and Levy especially Orof and Clingberg because both of them made deep playoff runs. What did you see from both of those guys? Well well I think what Orlov is going to bring is he Orlov’s going to be the number one center on this team and I I think it’s one of the things and you can saw with Muel Sugar when he went to Utah a guy that was the number two guy in Tampa for so long. He gets to Utah and he’s the guy now. Yeah. and and and he played like the guy 200 foot game, played both sides of the puck. He was the guy who was leading in the offense, leading on the power play and leading defensively. I think that’s Orv. Or skates incredibly well. He can close those gaps in the neutral zone, defends very well, but he’s got that offensive upside. He’s going to come in off of the blue line. Um he’s going to be very active off the blue line. He’s going to join in the rushing. He’s going to help this team get offense from the defense, especially with a young, fast offensive core up front. Or is going to love this. like he’s he is going to jump in the play and help that Clingberg. I I I like Clingberg. I really like Orof. I I think Clingberg on on the right side is going to be he’s a guy defended well for Edmonton. He got good stick. He’s he’s going to be difficult to get around wide away from Clingberg’s stick. Um he moves the puck well and he skates well. He’s not elite at either of those skills, but he’s good and he’s experienced and at 32 he knows where he needs to be. He knows the right way to play. So, he does have some shortcomings. If he can’t keep up with the pace, he’s going to give you a little bit bigger of a gap, but he’s not going to let him beat you. And that’s why I think the confidence now for San Jose, let’s face it, San Jose’s ability to defend and keep the puck out of the net last year, they struggled. Yeah. At their ability to defend and they had really struggled to defend around their net and from the hashmarks in was a difficult area for them. And I think if you can put Orlav and Clingberg together, now you’ve taken that and you go, “Okay, we’re going to play you two against the other team’s best players every night.” And I think Clingberg can take that. Or definitely can because he’s done it before and he’s got the feet that can do that. But I think Clingberg’s smart enough that these guys can take the brunt of the heavy minutes, which again now you’re giving these these guys lower in the lineup that were eating some big minutes of top players a year ago. Now they don’t have to have that load, right? And and that’s where you look at Mukmoodin and Ferrer. Now they’re not they’re not eating those minutes that they had to eat a year ago. Now, maybe we can see more of an offensive outside of out of those guys, right? Because they’re not they’re not getting the minutes they had on the top, right? Actually, I’m going to I’m going to move something around here then. Maybe have Luke Madull and then play with Ferrar just he has on his right side and then levery and log. Yes, that works for me and that and I do like that and I do think you’re going to see again I like this today. But once you get into camp and and who knows like Moodland’s got to he’s he come off a tough injury and who knows where his progress is. Maybe he’s maybe he’s not ready. And I don’t mean ready physically because he’s going to be ready to play, but he’s a guy that maybe he’s going to be in the third pier because he doesn’t have his legs underneath him because he missed all that that time in his in his re rehabilitation. And but also he he’s a guy that if if he does get a step into his game and with his reach and his size, man, maybe he does get chance to play up higher in the lineup by the end of the season. This on this team possibly. So by the end of the season, maybe he’s maybe he’s getting an opportunity to get out there with Orlof and and see how that pair goes. So I I but I think the biggest point on the back end I think it just shows and the most important thing to take away from this discussion is it’s better than the top six were a year ago. Oh yeah, for sure. And now they can defend better. And hopefully it’s one of those things that they can check one of the boxes that their that their goals against can can start to see some improvements. And it’s we’re not going to hang that all in the goalie. They didn’t defend well. This a team that did not defend well. And I think now you’re looking at okay, now we’ve got some guys even on the front lines are playing a little bit deeper in the lineup and they’re going to have to defend more and now we’ve got better defenseman. So hopefully that’s one of the things that this team can can can get improve on from last season. Yeah, a couple things stand out. Um, Orloff may not be a number one true number one defenseman on a playoff team, but I think he is a better, and I put this in error quotes, better number one defenseman than Jake Walman last year, than Mario Ferraro through a lot of times with the with the Sharks the last couple of years. So, there’s an improvement there. And then Mike R also emphasized that he wanted more guys that could that could move the puck, get the puck out of the zone, and get it to the forward’s hands. And so there isn’t the well there there is a a functional Yan Yan Rud on his team and Dehar, but there’s not as many of these guys anymore. So you have Oralof who can move a puck. You have Clingberg who can move a puck. You have Mukum Madullan. You have Ley. You have Lilligrin. So guys who are proven ability to kind of move the puck at at this level. One more thing I did want to ask you about Clingberg in particular though is how did he look? I guess because he’s a guy that obviously has dealt with significant injuries for the last three four years and people talked about how he especially in this playoff run he was looking better and better and kind of more reminiscent of John Klingberg in his prime and so how close is he to that? Obviously, he’s not going to be that John Cleanberg from 26. When he was 26, he was a top six Norris guy, a 50 60point offensive defenseman, the best Swedish offensive defenseman this side of Eric Carlson back in the day. But how close is he, you think, if if if he if he hits basically and he I think what’s important, a couple of things. One, one, the injuries have been a huge problem. I mean, you look what he’s played over over the last three seasons, he’s really struggled to stay healthy and stay in the lineup. So that’s one he’s got to stay in the lineup. Um but when he has been able to do that and I think you saw that in the playoffs with with Edmonton his ability to be a key player on the back end and he you know he plays 20 20 games in the playoffs and he was an effective player. So I think what’s going to happen though Edmonton is just one of their six in in in San Jose. He’s going to be asked to be a bigger player and he’s going to be asked to be a guy that’s that takes on a bigger role than he did in Edmonton. And I think that’s good for John Clingberg. I I think you are going to see the return to what he what we we saw from him early in Dallas and his ability to move the puck and his ability to be the guy because he’s the guy again. Yeah. As long as he can stay healthy. I think the confidence and his ability to play with a player like Orlov, I do think when you are the guy or have been the guy and you’re not the guy anymore, it’s hard to have that that inner presence and that motivation and then that that that that swagger. But if you put him in the San Jose lineup but now and you tell him you’re the guy like you are you’re going to get those minutes. I do think if he can stay healthy I do think he can return to that top two defensive mentality and I think he can move the puck well enough and I think he’s going to have a really good year in San Jose if he can stay healthy. Okay. Okay. So you you like the the gamble by the Sharks stare on him in free agency. So I’m just wondering you watch the Edmonton so closely and so want to see what you thought. Yeah, I like them. I I like them and that’s a team. It’s funny when you talk about the Evans or you always think of a team that that is offensively and they’re going to blow teams away is how well they play offensively. But that team defended incredibly well and that’s why they were in the Stanica finals because they defended so well in their group of six. They got better when came into the lineup, but that’s a team that defended very well from their net on out. Not the net, I apologize. Goending, but but their defenseman were were were a solid six. and Clinger was was a big part of that and his ability to get the puck up the ice and out of danger and not allow Florida at times to to hem them in. Now, Florida’s better. Florida is the best in hockey and and I I still I don’t know if you don’t pick them to win again next year. I’m not sure who you’re picking, Shen, but they look pretty good for next year, too. Um, I wanted to also ask you if you’ve seen enough of Sam Dickinson to to put sort of a prediction to if he can stick on with this lineup all season or do you think that he is uh if he can’t be here? He can’t be in the AHL unfortunately. I mean, even though he dominated London last year, that just might be the best place for It’s tough and it’s tough at 19. the the when when you’re coming into the National Hockey League, the easiest and no position is easy, but but as a forward, you jump over the boards and you just play your game. You play offensively, you just skate a little bit harder and things happen. Playing defense in the National Hockey League is incredibly hard. And you’re talking about rush reads and defensive zone reads. And now you’re playing against men in front of the blue paint that you’re that you’ve got to get out of the way that you just haven’t had to do that. You’re pushing 17 year olds last season. and now you’re dealing with with 35year-old men. It’s hard and and it’s a hard step to make right away. I’m not saying he can’t. I mean, you’re looking at a guy that’s big enough and strong enough and his numbers are there offensively and he does all of the little things right. I just don’t know if it’s going to be his year because if he like to your point, if he’s not playing in the National Hockey League, I can’t send him to the American League, which is probably what’s best for him. for I’d like to see that that you know that the new CBA is going to have one player that you’re allowed to do that and I think it’s huge 26 27 unfortunately for Sam. Yeah. And it’s a defenseman because you put him down in the American League again now he’s playing with men’s like 20 minutes a night he’s going to get power play time and you’re playing a pace that’s not much faster than you’re playing a junior but it’s not the NHL. So, you still have time to make decisions and you can be that big physical presence and you can make some mistakes down there, but you can’t make those mistakes in the NHL. I I think he’s going to have a really hard time breaking into the lineup full-time this year. Now, having said that, we’ve seen it happen in San Jose before and you saw with Mlin Celibbrini. You see how successful he was a year ago. Can Can Sam Dickinson do that at 63? Well, going back to the Sharks of the past too, I’ve used this example before. Everyone has heard it, but Mark Edward Vlo came in as a 19-year-old. He was terrific. He was all rookie team um ushered in a great career with the Sharks. But then on the other hand though, they rushed Miracle Mueller and Miracle Miller uh was I think 192 and Miracle Miller should still be playing NHL, but he’s not. And Miracle Miller had the physical package, still does, but he’s not in AHL now. And so those are kind of the um angel and devil. So that the the the it worked and the cautionary tale. Yeah. Because you worry like and right now if you’re looking at that third pair third pair on the left side you’re looking at Nick for me I got Nick Ley there. You’re looking at a guy that that he’s done everything and been everywhere in the National Hockey League. He’s he can handle that role. He can help mentor some of the younger players. He knows how to get through as an NHL pro. He’s a guy I want in my locker room and in the lineup on a night in night out basis. Not saying Dickinson can’t play there, but right now if I have to play game one right now and I have to play it, I want Nick Ley in the lineup. Now Dickinson’s going to be the guy in the future. He’s going to be the guy when this team is ready to win and you look up and down the lineup. Sam Dickinson’s going to be a huge part of the success that this team is going to have, but but it’s not going to be this season. And and meaning the success of the team meaning the success of the team, not the success of the player. He can definitely play. He’s going to be a player in the National Hockey League, but but the San Jose Sharks aren’t going to be in the playoffs next year. They’re not. And and and it’s Are they pushing for playoffs? I I don’t know. Well, we’ll talk about that in a second. Let’s finish up our our position with with Sam, he’s going to have to really impress in training camp and and physically he’s going to have to impress. I think the skating will be there. The offense will be there. Can he physically box guys out? Can he win those battles in the corner? I think it’s big, but doesn’t mean he could do those those things at level for sure. Those little things on for a defenseman. Absolutely. Yep. Um, so I I want to quickly mention a couple guys who did not make our our defensive lineup. Um, for one person, I think it spells waiverss. So, uh, you have a Luca Kenyon who had an incredible season in the AHL last year and he’s still waver exempt. So, I think it’s good for him to go go back to the Barracuda and continue to dominate there. and Ken Yuni does have a still a lot to work on defensively and so he can do that with another year with the Barracuda. But Jack Thompson uh he’s a right-hander which gives him some value out there. But he’s a guy if everything kind of shapes out. But we don’t know of course because reminder last year last year if we did this exercise over the summer we would have we would have had Mukuma Madul and we would have had maybe Asparov in the Sharks opening night lineup. But both of those guys got hurt during training camp. And so that’s that’s just what happens. And so if there’s injuries then then maybe maybe there’s still a role on the Sharks for a Jack Thompson or maybe that helps Sam Dickinson get into the lineup um from the get-go because there’s injuries. So we’ll see on on that. But at the moment though looks like we’re kind of projecting uh Thompson is not waiver exempt so he’ll have to go through waiverss. Um finally I want to talk about the goalies and there’s not too much to discuss here because I think it’s pretty clear-cut what the Sharks are setting up. They’re setting up Yeroslav Ascarov to be their their go-to guy for the next hopefully next decade or so. Yeah, you hope so. And again, here here’s I don’t think it’s a concern. I think this is they’ve got a good plan and you’ve got a guy that you you want to hand the reigns to, but you’ve got a guy in Nadulkovich who I think understands the role and he understands what the future is here in San Jose and I don’t know if you’ve had that clear picture before. Nulich gets it. He understands what he’s going to get the opportunity to do now. As I said before, there are going to be times when he’s given the ball to run with and I think you’re going to see him play several games in a row at times. Um because Ascarov is still learning his game and he’s still finding his way in the National Hockey League. He’s still improving. Like you go back and look at there were times last year there’s some of those goals that you gosh they they can’t happen in the National Hockey League, right? It’s going to take him some time to to develop into the player you want them to be. You can’t I you can’t make him the de facto number one right now because when you have those nights and you’re struggling and you got to go out again and do it again and do it again and do it again, you can ruin a guy. Yeah. And I think I agree and I think Nadelovich is the right mindset and the right player at the right time. I I do think he’s a guy that that is easygoing guy that can if he if he has to back up several games in a row, I think he’s got the head that can do that. And I if you throw him in in the third period and he can jump in and relieve Ascarov, but I also think if you need him to, he can start a couple of games in a row. So I think this is a good comfortable place for Ascarov. He doesn’t have a guy that’s I don’t want to say fighting for the net because everybody wants to play and Nidalovich wants to play those minutes, but it’s not a guy that hey, I’m the number one guy and you just wait. Right. Right. He understands what they had with Gurg last year and that’s why% part of the reason why Ascarov wasn’t up I think because it just wasn’t going to be a good fit that that way 100% and that’s exactly the mix that you had like with Gurg wants he’s the number I’m a number one guy in the NHL and Delkovich I think understands the role here on this team and I think that’s going to be what’s the best for development for Ask Robov and he’s going to get those minutes. Now who starts game one I don’t know like I I think you’ll have to go into training camp and see how guys are going. Um I I would I lean on Askarov in game one, but but I don’t know. It’s too far hard to say. Yeah. But uh but we feel pretty comfortable with them as their pairing. So anyway, um be before I I I ask you sort of overall kind of uh global thoughts on this team. Uh do you have any quick thoughts about special teams with with all these elements that the Sharks have added now? Yeah, there’s it’s a concern and I’ll tell you why. I I I think they are better and more skilled upfront than they were a year ago and the ability to to have really good power play players. I think they’re there in this lineup. But when you go start doing research on the better power plays in the National Hockey League, one of the consistent things is you’re going to see players that have played together year after year after year. And I’m saying I’m saying the best power plays in the league when we’re talking Tampa Bay and and and the teams that dominant. Yeah. Edmonton. You look at a core that’s been together eight plus years. So, so I think you’re going to see with San Jose, the skill level is there, but it is going to take time and especially if a player like Mike Lamisa jumps into this lineup that it’s going to take guys to get comfortable in their roles and their new spots and where they’re playing in that power play. Sure. So, I think overall the power play is going to be better skill-wise, but I don’t think I think it’s going to take him 10, 12, 15 games to go, oh, okay, now we’re starting to get it. We’re starting to understand how we play together. So, it may be they may actually take a step backwards to start. Um, penalty killing, I think when you look at this lineup, I I think they’re going to be a much better penalty killing team than they were a year ago. And again, it starts with they’ve got better defending, right? You know, they’re 27th in penalty killing a year ago. They got better defense. I think you’ve got when you put some of these players lower in the lineup that we’ve talked about, they’ve got some good penalty killers in this lineup that can still skate and move very well. So, I think their penalty kill will be better. It’s now it’s not going to be top 10, but but it’s not going to be bottom third. I mean, they’re 27th. So, I I do think they’re going to improve in both those areas this year. Okay. Okay. And then wanted a quick note, too. We Ryan Borsovski, he instituted a new neutral zone um after the the Four Nations. And it actually helped the Sharks quite a bit because basically from when they traded Mackenzie Blackwood in mid December to before the Four Nations, that’s basically two months. I think the Sharks won like four or five games or something. They were awful. And part of it was yeah, they didn’t have Blackwood anymore to help erase their mistakes, but also too that they were exposing Gorgi of Ascarov when he was there, um, Vanichek to really not an easy situation in terms of goalending. And after they they instituted a new neutral zone, uh the chances and shots against went down even if maybe the Sharks weren’t as dangerous offensively, but it made it a more competitive environment for Gorgiev, for Minelbrini out there and company, Will Smith and company. So I don’t know if you had any any thought about that if you had a chance to look at that much. One of the things and I think it’s important that teams have the ability to play different type of systems at different times when it suits their opponent or when it suits their players and who’s on their roster. And I’ll give you an example. The the Florida Panthers last year in the playoffs leading up to the Edmonton Oilers, their neutral zone, they were much more aggressive, tighter gaps, and they were really forcing things with their defenseman attacking at the red line. like they were incredibly aggressive um from the red line to the offensive blue line. That’s where Florida would jump their players. But when they played Edmonton, we know Edmonton plays an unbelievably quick style. They get through the neutral zone incredibly fast. They stretch the zone, meaning they’re dumping the puck from their defensive zone to the offensive zone and trying to make 20, 30 foot plays. Well, what Florida did, Florida changed the way they played and they started to back off the blue line. They started to back off and defend skating backwards versus skating forwards. Now, it was a real subtle adjustment, but it really helped them stay in front of the best skilled players, the amateurs. And that’s what San Jose did. That San Jose was trying to play incredibly quick through the blue lines. They wanted to attack the puck. They wanted their defenseman stand up on the puck. They wanted to take those plays away prior to getting to their defensive blue line. Well, when you do that with especially with with young players that are backing and you got young forwards coming back, you can oftentimes get in a situation where you’re giving up those twoon- ones or threeon twos and you’re giving up those oddman rushes because the defensor is too aggressive. Yes, you can stop those plays if you back up more. Boston Bruins back up, Vegas backs up. Yes, you can stop that. But I think Worovski shown he can do it either way. I’m curious to see how they do this now with a defense that I think is more mobile with adding Orav and Clingberg and can move the puck better and more experienced back there with those two guys. Can they now still continue to stand up at the blue line and make those chances at the offensive blue line knowing that they might be able to turn the puck over and throw the puck up the ice to Kurishva Cabbrini? I’m curious. This is a team that right now this is a quick group. Like this is a fast group up front and on the back end. I think you have to have better reads on the back end than than they had last year, but you gota you guys everybody’s got another year of experience now and playing with each other with you if you which will help. Um but it’s nice to know Warski understands that if they have to go back to that defending mentality. I don’t want to play that way if the I’m the Sharks next year. No, let’s go. Let’s go. We’re I’m going to show you we’re faster than everybody. We’re younger than everybody. We got more speed than everybody. Let’s go. Let’s go. and and that’s how I’m going to start off because you’re looking at teams the teams that the fastest teams are going to be the teams that win I think and so that’s how you want the team to play in the future that’s what you want this team to be made like um I don’t know if I want to be backing up and defending all the time okay that makes sense so yeah they would you can change though yeah and if you find yourself you know two and eight and you’re getting just pummeled and and and you know Nathan McKinnon’s going down Main Street every rush. Well, yeah, then you make adjustments. But for now, I think part of it’s about getting your forwards understanding how to back check and where to back checkck through the middle of the ice. And that’s just repetitions and younger players, especially players like Celibbrini. People don’t like to hear it, but they want the puck. They want to play offensive side. And you’re not always thinking thinking where do I go defensively? And that that comes with some maturity. And and I do think I I’m curious to see and I you’ve you’ve got me just enveloped into the San Jose Sharks right now. I just can’t wait to see how they play because there are some exciting pieces to this team right now. There really are. And there’s things to be hopeful for for San Jose Sharks fans. They’re they’re here. Like there there’s some skill here and some very good hockey players. Absolutely. Absolutely. So it makes sense then because Warsoski started the way he did last year tactically because that’s the way he wants to play even if the personnel even to begin last year wasn’t maybe quite suitable for it. A rebuilding team. That’s that’s kind of what happens. And so it makes sense though that he’s going to try it again in training camp the way he wants to play and see if if if if they can survive doing that, survive and thrive doing that. But now he has the experience from last year that okay, if we got to change it up, we have a more veteran group and our young guys too are are are practiced in sort of hey, we got to hang back a little bit more. So yeah, be kind of interesting to see from day one. But I want to get to I guess the the big question then. So, do you think that this is a better Sharks team than not the end of last year, the end of last year was kind of a disaster area of a team, but um the beginning of last year when we talk about Mackenzie Blackwood is still there, Walman and CC, Mauy Granlin. So, what do you think comparing those those two groups? I do because and I like those guys. All the guys you mentioned that left are really good hockey players and they went on to to to have important roles in the playoffs with the teams that they played for. But I think what the most important thing with the San Jose Sharks now is they’re younger players that you needed to be better are another year older and a year more experienced. Will Will Smith and Cabrini are the guys that need to be better. Willie Meckllin needs to be better. Um so I I I think you’re getting better just because these guys are maturing into better players. Cabbrini right now is was like he’s so far ahead where the expectations where this player was. And don’t tell Chicago Blackhawk fans, but if you have to have Bard or Cabbrini right now, I’m taking Celibbrini. I think if you ask 32 GMs, you got to start a franchise with one player and you got a starter franchise. It’s not like a Stanley Cup like you’re adding a player to one. You got a starter franchise. It’s I think 32 GMs are picking celebr Matthew Schaefer, over Connor Baddard, over any I agree. I agree. And I think that’s what makes San Jose better. Now, here’s where the concern comes in and and you don’t they are better and I think they’re better defensively. I the goalending is going to be interesting because Mackenzie Blackwood I mean you you had good goalending last year when he was at his best. I think Ascar’s best days are ahead of him. I don’t think they’re there this year. So, I think you there’s going to be some growing pains in the net. I think they’ll defend better. I think they’re going to score more goals. They were at the bottom of goals for per game. I think that will get better. Um but it’s going to be baby steps. This isn’t going to be giant leaps this year. this isn’t a playoff team yet. And and and and again, if you talk to their management, they’re not going to say they’re a playoff team yet. And they understand the way the the way these rebuilds work. And you look at teams like Anaheim and Utah are perfect examples that I think are two years ahead of where San Jose is. They’re teams that are going to threaten the playoffs this year. I think Anaheim and Utah both are going to be closer to the playoffs than where the San Jose Sharks are. Now, can the Sharks overcome and be better in in areas? Absolutely they can. I I I don’t anticipate they’re going to find their way too far out of the cellar again this year, though. But are there teams they’re better than? Yeah, I I think they’re they’re going to compete. Chicago, Nashville, um Seattle in the West. I think they’re better than those teams, but this isn’t a team that still has Seattle and Chicago and Nashville. Yeah, I I’m not I’m not a fan of what some of what they’ve done. That’s pretty bold. Well, the Nashville the Nashville one’s interesting. Their better players have to be better. Like on paper, that was a team I had in the playoffs last year and they were rotten. Um I I I don’t like Seattle. Okay. Again, don’t tell them I said that. And Chicago’s not ready. Chicago’s not ready. Chicago is not ready either. And it’s men’s problem for the Sharks and not be the worst team in the league at least. Yes. I I think that that honestly that’s the realistic goal for for the San Jose Sharks. They can’t be the worst team in the league this year. You think that they will reach that goal? Is your correct question? I’m saying they’re coming out of the seller. Okay. All right. And you can have me on have me on during the season. You have me on during the season to see how I’m doing and because I tell you this, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But I’ve always stand up to him and I I think I I think this team can be really exciting and and I think they can make steps. Goalending is going to be a huge part of that and and and I think as with any team it’s important but this team is going to surprise some people offensively this year. I think their offensive upside is much higher than it was a year ago. I will say that while I’m not sure if I’m bold enough to predict predict them out of last place that this team definitely has more ceiling than recent Sharks team if you look at the fact that they’re young talent their elite young talents back when celebrity uh and then the second part is that they’ve added all these kind of veterans who maybe are past their prime a bit like oral off at Clayberg and Ley. But the point is though that those guys were impact players. And so it’s not like because in years past with the Sharks, they’re bringing back bringing on a lot of reclamation projects like a Philip Zadena. Not to pick on him, but you know where you’re you’re trying to push a guy forward who’s never done it. Um and it’s better to to to have a guy that has done it and just has to kind of find the fountain of youth a little bit. that’s more likely to happen than kind of the again the Zadena like gamble’s like well hopefully it works out and and the other thing too though it’s a better it’s a better group yeah in but the other thing is too they can look at their management and go they’re trying they’re trying to do things and he’s bringing in people that are legitimate NHL players yeah and and you look around the room now and god yeah this guy can play this guy can play and belief goes a long way and and if you start to look at it and go okay we have some NHL players now and you’ve got the skill like you have up front. And I know Celabbrini Shaling is like I he’s an amazing hockey player and I think you’re going to see him take another step again this year. But but again it’s when you believe that you can win and you get some veteran players in the locker room that have been where you want to be and they’ve been in the playoffs. They’ve been deep in the playoffs. You go, “Yeah, okay. We’re better.” And if you believe you’re better, you’re better. Yeah. So, I I do think there’s a little bit of belief and and and think that you’ve got some trust in what management’s trying to do. Yep. Yep. Yep. So, anyway, Steve, I really appreciate your time. You’ve given so much of it. And I’m excited to show I’m going to show you guys, if you don’t mind, Steve, some of the texts you’re sending me with the pictures of of your work just to kind of tease all this. I think that’s that’s really really cool. Uh kind of actually, you know what? No, actually, no. I don’t I want I want to let you go. I don’t I don’t I don’t want to put the picture up right now, but I I’ll got there’s my board. That’s my shark board and I used teal to so I moved everybody around because I put I put their age, their weight, their height and and I tell you it’s you have to watch a lot of video to see gosh and that’s why the Godette one is it may be surprising but there’s something I saw in him today that I really like this kid. So he’s the one I’m I’m curious to see how he fits into what the Sharks are trying to do. I I just get this feeling that again not playoffs not playoffs but there’s there’s some there’s some vibe here with these guys now. There’s guys that can that can add to the pace of this team and so it’s going to be fun and I think Shang you’re going to have a little more fun this year than you did a year. Oh, I hope so. I hope so. Boy, yeah, especially two years ago. Uh that’s the year that that that is not spoken of. So the year that shall not be named. So we’ve had those years in Arizona. Trust me, lots and lots of them. So, I just want to close off with one last thing with you just because it again I mentioned this at the top that it was so cool that you were the video coach of team North America and if you guys don’t remember that those were the I think it was under 23 players right so you had on a team uh Conor McDavid Nathan McKinnon all under 23 just amazing and I what I wanted to ask you from that experience is what do you think a guy like Mlin Celbrini or Will Smith just someone in that age. If they had a team North America next year for the Olympics, they won’t, but if they had that, then obviously Mlin and Will would be top of top considerations there, especially Mlin. But what do you think that that experience being around those guys uh Connor etc at such a young age that uh Mlin Celbrini or Will Smith or William Mean or somebody like that could kind of learn from or aspire to? Just what did you see from from those those those guys back in those days? It’s interesting because because I think it’s unfortunate that that that doesn’t happen more and that you saw the four nations face off and and I know everybody wants to play for their country. I get it. But but but what happens is you leave out and that’s why they they built that team in 2016 is because one they need another team and and two you didn’t want to keep some of the best young players in the game out of this big stage that probably wouldn’t have made the Austin Matthews hadn’t played a game in the NHL yet. He’s just coming over from the Swiss League. He’s 18. He was a draft year. Yeah. So, he hadn’t played an NHL game yet. I mean, you’re putting him on a honestly first practice he was the extra forward. Austin Matthews, but by the time we were playing, he was on a line with Conor McDavid. And and that’s how I think it was important for that group that and we talk about that swagger. When you had all of these kids and you look at the net, John Gibson, Conor Halib, and Matt Murray were the three goalies. three phenomenal goalies wouldn’t have played for their country and you would have kept them out of that tournament and there’s so many players McDavid would have played for Canada but on that team honestly it might have been just McDavid like McKinnon probably wouldn’t have played for team Canada so you didn’t give those guys the opportunity and like you said the the bonding that that team had because they were all just kids and and you what an experience they had and the other thing they had back then too is they had that young guns game in the all-star game where you saw those young players had an opportunity to compete with each other and have that young that that young energy of the best players in the league. Hey, that we’re going to build something special here where you could get a celebr and and I do think that the league really wants to push their young stars in this game and and I wish they had a forum to do that in. Yeah. And unfortunately, they don’t when it’s not whether it’s the four nations faceoffs, the Olympics, or in the All-Star game. I wish there was a better vehicle to really promote the Lane Hudson and Mlin Celbrini amongst their peer group and I wish that was something that the league could figure out. Well, it could have just been simple as make it the five nations include Czecha like you should have from the beginning and add a a team North America team number six. I get I I and again you look at if you put that team together right now tomorrow it’s just Jack Eel Dylan Larkin JT Miller like we’re captains on almost every team in the league Sean Couturier was there as a captain like this was elite hockey and and I I challenge anybody who’s a hockey fan right now it’s summer they’ve got time Google go on YouTube and put in um team North America versus team Sweden from the World Cup 2016 and just watch the first 10 minutes of the game. That’s it. And if you don’t say that’s some of the best hockey you’ve ever seen, like you I Oliver Akman Lararsson was the defenseman for team Sweden. I talked to him after the game. He said, “I have never seen hockey played like that.” It was there were three breakaways, a penalty shot, and two goals in the first 10 minutes. So, go watch it. You’re a hockey fan. Well, Steve, I really appreciate all your time. Had so much fun with you. So anyway guys, uh Steve Peters, check out his work on Twitter, S Peters Hockey, and look uh look for him uh to be helping out with ESPN. A lot of stuff on his Twitter, too. Um he’ll keep pumping out a lot of video there, I assume, right? Yeah. And and check out I got a new YouTube channel, too. It’s called Inside the Coaches Room. Inside the coaches room and do some interviews there, break down, teach the game a little bit. Um so check it out on YouTube. Inside the coaches room. All right, man. Well, Steve, enjoy the rest of your summer. I’ll have to have you back on middle of the season trade deadline heat check. Mike Greer is hoping that the Sharks kind of stay on the fringes of the playoff race. He’s not saying they’re a playoff team, but like within the we don’t have to fire everybody. I don’t know. That seems like a very uh bold kind of uh hope, but uh we’ll see though. And you you are more optimistic on the Sharks. Um so that’s that’s I’m sure will be exciting for the fans to hear. So anyway, thank you so much for your time, man. Yeah, I can’t wait can’t wait to have me on again, Chang, and follow this Shark team and see how they do this season. All right, man. Thanks, [Music]

The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!

What does long-time NHL video coach Steve Peters think of the revamped San Jose Sharks?

Peters breaks down ideal lines, shares his dark horse Shark this coming season, and more. (45:07)

But before we get to Peters, Sheng discusses his thoughts about the Ryan Reaves trade. Why might this deal make sense from the San Jose Sharks’ perspective? (3:37)

Why did the Sharks land on free agent sniper Jeff Skinner? (25:24)

How were these moves part of GM Mike Grier’s possible grand plan for 2027-28? The Sharks are doing something different than the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers’ rebuilds. (34:16)

And now, Steve Peters! (45:07)

How does Peters see the Sharks forward lines? (51:42)

Who is Peters’s sleeper Shark this year? (55:40)

Peters thinks it could still be a challenge to find the winger to play with Smith at center. (1:04:31)

Where does Reaves fit in? (1:10:45)

Speaking up for Collin Graf. (1:13:18)

There are a lot of bottom-six guys! (1:18:04)

What about Michael Misa? Why might Penn State not be the best option for him? (1:19:33)

How would Peters put together the San Jose Sharks’ defense? (1:28:38)

How much game do Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg have left in the tank? (1:32:22)

Can Sam Dickinson stick in the San Jose Sharks’ line-up? (1:40:15)

Let’s talk goaltending! Why does Peters like the addition of Alex Nedeljkovic? (1:45:39)

Will the Sharks’ special teams get better? (1:48:03)

What does Peters think about the different neutral zone forecheck that Ryan Warsofsky instituted late last year? (1:49:54)

Does Peters think this Sharks team is better than last year’s opening night group? (1:55:20)

Finally, I ask Peters about his experience as video coach for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup.