Sharks News & Rumors: Celebrini Joins Elite Company, Askarov Breaks Out, 4-Game Win Streak & More

Sharks News & Rumors: Celebrini Joins Elite Company, Askarov Breaks Out, 4-Game Win Streak & More

Hello everybody and welcome into another Sharks news and rumors video here at the Hockey Writers. I’m your host Matthew Zour and as always joined by Alex Hutton. Alex, how’s it going? Going going well. Glad to be uh talk talking again. Uh let’s let’s get rolling. For sure. And it’s uh positive. Uh we’re not going to be talking about anything negative on this video. Uh there’s lots of good stuff going off with the Sharks right now. And we’ll start with uh the main one. They’re on a four-ame winning streak. Uh, and they’ve beaten some pretty good teams over these last four games. I biggest question is are they for real? Are they actually a good team now or uh is this a mirage that we’re going to all of a sudden start seeing the Sharks the last couple seasons or like you know I we mentioned in the last video they turned a corner. That was very early uh with some a couple really good games but this has now gone on for the last 10. They’re 73 and 0 in their last 10. So, I mean, that’s really good. Again, short sample, but what do you think about this uh recent success here? Yeah, I think are they for real? I think you have a couple different answers to it depending kind of what angle you look at it from. Are they much improved from the last couple seasons? Definitely. I think we have enough sort of evidence at this point with the the guys they’ve brought up who are who are playing well and the the the um contributions they’re getting from throughout the lineup. I think that’s clear. Are they is there a larger gap between this team and the last couple teams than expected? I I think I think there is. I definitely expected them to be better this year, but I thought it was sort of a they’re they’re still going to be towards the bottom. And maybe you wait, you know, one more year, but I think I think they’re even a little bit past past that level at this point. Are they a true contender? That’s where I think the the question marks arise a little more. you know, if you look at some of the underlying numbers, they’ve been they’ve been outshot in in several of these games and they’ve, you know, gotten the minority of the scoring chances in a lot of them. Um, just even you look at the game last night, they they beat the Wild in overtime and the Wild are a good team, but the the Wild controlled a lot of that game, especially the last couple periods where they were just just piling on the Sharks at the net. Yos Lavarov making some great saves in there to keep them in it. and then they get a good power play and a a good bounce in overtime and they end up winning it. So, I mean it’s a great sign they’re winning those games because you know a couple last season a couple years ago they would have lost that game six to one or something. So, it’s a it’s certainly a major step in the right direction. There’s no question about that. But, can they play like play like that and sustain it for an entire season? I I’m I wouldn’t put a ton of confidence in that. But the fact that they’re finding ways to win a lot of these games and there have been other similar games in this recent streak that have kind of been similar to that. So, uh I think when they’re taking a lot of steps in the right direction, I don’t know if they’re a true playoff contender quite yet, but they’re they’re really headed into a good place for sure. Yeah, I mean I gave them one extra loss. They’re 72 and one last 10. Um, so I mean it it’s a I mean it’s a great record after the last bunch of games. They’re actually uh looking at the standings right now, they’re actually in a playoff spot. Uh the second wild card in the West and I mean it’s very I mean it’s very tight. The Mammoth and the N Golden Knights are just a point back. Uh they’re also a point uh behind I mean they’re tied with the Blackhawks for the first wild card spot and not far out of the division. uh as well. So, I mean, you’re looking at I mean, they’re also tied with the Kraken uh in the division for the third first third spot. So, I mean, they could easily be in second pretty soon uh if they keep going on this. And I mean, looking at the standings now is kind of whatever, but you know, the American Thanksgiving, they always say if you’re in a round of playoff spot, you have a really good chance at it. So, I mean, do you start looking at that and saying maybe the Sharks can make the playoffs? I you never know. I mean, they can keep going on this. Seems like all of California is starting to become the we were talking on the surprises of the season. It’s like we were back in the in what when was it was like the early 2000s or mid 2000s when the Sharks, the Ducks, they were elite teams. I have we gone back in time because all these got the Ducks leading the division. It’s very interesting to see. All right. Uh let’s talk about again their star player and Matt Minelbrini. The reason they’re on these this streak and why they’re successful is because of him or partly. Uh there’s a lot of other guys contributing too, but he’s leading the way. 26 points in 17 games and he just joined some elite company in the last game. for the first 17 only Cydney Crosby and well Wayne Gretzky of course leads the way in it but he’s tied with Crosby for the most points in first 17 games for a teenager so I mean he’s just doing it and what do you think about I mean got your comments last week about what Celbrini is doing but he just keeps going and he’s on pace to some pretty big numbers by the end of the season and it’s looking like he might be able to sustain this production. Yeah, I mean we’ve talked about, you know, his his playmaking and his anticipation, all those different things in the in the video last week, like you said. Um, I think the the thing that’s stood out to me, like another thing I can add to it, is just the way he figures out he strikes the balance between making plays for himself and making plays for his teammates. You know, he he make always seems to make great decisions of of when to shoot versus when to pass. I think that’s definitely something the the Sharks I think that’s an area on offense where they can improve teamwide is just being maybe making being a little bit more aggressive in you have a shooting opportunity. Shoot the puck, get to the net. That’s obviously the way you’re going to score goals. Uh so I think a a lot of guys need to maybe step up in that a little bit, but he is constantly making the right decision of seeing of getting his opportunities. You know, if I’m if I have a good shot, I’m going to try to put it at the net. And he’s obviously got a great shot, but he he knows when to make the passes, too. and you’ve seen the way he’s been able to to elevate Will Smith’s game. Will has he’s he’s he’s really come on really strong in the I think he has seven goals in his last 11 games and a huge part of that is being on Celebry’s line and getting passes from him. I think Celebrity has the primary assist on six of those goals. So, it’s you obviously we we everyone knows about their their bond on and and off the ice and it’s really something that’s really shown up during this recent hot streak. For sure. I mean, Smith is on pace for uh 82 points as we’re as we’re recording. I mean, that’s pretty good and 34 goals. Um I mean, again, is that pace sustainable? It’s it’s short, very small sample size. I mean, these on pace numbers for everyone that are doing really well, they’re all pretty crazy. Um but I mean, he he’s doing well. And I mean there was some concern in his rookie season that’s like oh maybe he’s he’s not as good as everyone’s kind of saying but he’s starting to realize that and he’s very young so I mean you kind of I think that panic was a little bit misguided when you were looking at it but he’s now starting to I mean along with Celibbrini and the rest of the young guys they’re starting to really put it together. So yeah it’s he’s been just phenomenal uh to start the season. He’s second hyper second in points in the NHL. He was first for a a very short time. McKinnon’s just been on a tear the last what three or four games. So, he’s really pulled ahead. Uh but, you know, tied for second h with Leo Carlson, another young gun there. So, I mean, yeah, he’s been really good. Going off of that, I mean, of course, it’s going to he’s going to get attention across, you know, especially with the Olympics coming up. uh reportedly uh he has the inside track for team Canada over Connor Baddard who is just a point behind him uh in points this season so far. I do you think he has a big real chance of making team Canada this year? I I think he I think he does. Yeah. I mean he’s he’s been on their radar for a long time. There was a he was briefly on the senior roster for the World Championships a couple years ago and then once a couple of guys got eliminated from the playoffs he got he got bumped for them. Um, but it’s but that to to me my take away from from that whole story was that like the team Canada knows what what he’s about and what he can bring and how mature of a player he is at such a young age. So, I mean, I would definitely I would not be surprised, you know, with the with the growth over the last couple years and what he’s been able to show the NHL would not surprise me at all if if he’s on the Olympic team. Yeah, I I think so, too. I mean, they’ve got so many guys to choose from for the Olympics. It’s always interesting to see where these guys play and all of a sudden, you know, could have celebr Juniors uh with them as well. So, it’s yeah, it’s someone that I think has a good chance of making it, too. All right. Well, you mentioned the goalending Ascarov, how he’s been really good over this streak, too. He is really starting to look like the goalender that, of course, was the top prospect in Nashville and then of was traded uh to the Sharks. And that’s what they’re hoping he’s going to become, a number one franchise goalender. over the last four what is it four games he has not allowed more than two goals and lots of shots against but he’s kept the Sharks in it and that’s a big deal um because you know we mentioned before how their goalending’s not been that good uh over their rebuild and that’s why they got Ascarov to shore that up and he’s starting to do that what do you think has he turned a corner in his development is this what we’re going to see I mean it’s pretty crazy to keep going on this run, but I has he kind of turned into that type of goalender after maybe a bit bit of a struggle at the beginning of the season. Yeah, I mean, he’s certainly proving that he can be. And I think what what this shows, you know, with the with the slow start and now we’re getting on this hot streak is that young goalenders are going to have up ups and downs. They’re going to have their moments where they really struggle. They’re going to have um great games when he’s a he’s a top young goalender like he is. Um, and just right now he is just making making all the plays. You know, the his length and athleticism are really showing up where he’s just stretching across to make some great saves from time to time. Uh, his his his playing the puck, I think, still needs some some work and development. He definitely sort of has has these sort of circus adventures behind the net where he suddenly has to, you know, he loses the puck and has to dive back into the net to try to m make a play. But, uh, so that’s obviously something to to work on and something that I think will get will get better over time. Um, but you know, he’s he’s showing what what he what he can be and I I think that this recent stretch is definitely giving the Sharks uh a lot of confidence and I’m I’m sure they know that there’ll probably more growing pains along the way and have other moments this season where he looks more like the goalie he did at the start of the season. But I think eventually what he what he can be is is what he is is what he’s is excuse me what he has been in these last few games and that is obviously really exciting for for the team. Sure. And the thing is when you’re looking at I mean the numbers he’s there’s a lot of shots he’s having to save a lot. I mean he’s got all the games over well except for against the Wild is 29. Um, but the other three were over 30 shots. Uh, but I mean sometimes goalies need that needs a ton of shots to to be really good. But I mean, yeah, he’s just he’s starting to show it. And that’s that is a good sign uh for the future because that’s what they want him to be is that that goalender that can be here for a decade and and lead of contending team. So, we’ll see if he can keep going at because yeah, really young still. He’s only 23. So, I mean, there there’s lots of runway for him to keep going on this run and um be a really good goalender in the league. All right. Uh lots of positivity on this uh news and rumors because there’s probably really no negatives. I mean, um, yeah, they could probably maybe cut down on the shots to give their goalender a bit bit better, but, um, yeah, a very good team over the last bunch of games and we’ll see if they can keep it going on our by the time we get together again. H, if they’re still on this run or uh, or if they’ve started to lose games again. But thanks, Alex, for coming on talking Sharks. As always, make sure you’re checking out everything.com. We got great articles through throughout the website. Also, lots of great videos um on the YouTube channel. You can keep checking those out. And of course, our Substack newsletter. If you haven’t subscribed, check that out as well. But until our next video, we will see you next

In this edition of the San Jose Sharks News & Rumours Rundown, Matthew Zator and Alex Hutton break down the team’s recent surge, including their four-game winning streak, Macklin Celebrini’s impressive 26th point against the Minnesota Wild and his potential shot at Team Canada for the Olympics, plus Yaroslav Askarov’s emergence as an elite goaltender. They also discuss what this momentum means for the Sharks moving forward.

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