Welcome to a new, pre-Timothy Liljegren episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

Sheng and Keegan share their impressions of the San Jose Sharks’ first 11 games…recorded before the Liljegren trade.

But before we break down the Sharks’ 2-7-2 start?

What’s the latest on Macklin Celebrini’s injury? (3:18)

What’s Sheng hearing from scouts about the San Jose Barracuda as a playoff contender? (6:24)

Also, Sheng thanks all of you who contributed recently to his travel fund. Keep San Jose Hockey Now at San Jose Sharks' road games! (19:45)

What are our thoughts about these Sharks through 11 games? (24:48)

First, the forwards!

Mikael Granlund (25:30)
Tyler Toffoli
William Eklund
Fabian Zetterlund (42:39)
Danil Gushchin (48:55)
Alex Wennberg
Will Smith (1:01:31)
Ethan Cardwell (1:12:15)
Klim Kostin
Nico Sturm
Carl Grundstrom

Next, San Jose Sharks defensemen (including the just-traded Matt Benning!)

Jake Walman (1:26:16)
Cody Ceci
Mario Ferraro (1:32:16)
Jan Rutta
Jack Thompson (1:35:54)
Matt Benning
Henry Thrun

Finally, the goalies! (1:43:41)

This week on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast we cover a winless opening of the San Jose Sharks 2024-2025 season, and a surprise Mike Grier press conference. What does Grier have to say about Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and the beginning of the season? We cover it all here. First, we discuss the development plan for Will Smith as described by Mike Grier. (02:52) We discuss load management, Smith's recent play, and what we think the goals are for this year for Smith. Second, Grier provided some clarity on the severity of the Macklin Celebrini injury. How long can the San Jose Sharks expect to be without their young superstar? (17:15) We cover the AHL play of Luca Cagnoni and Kasper Halttunen, and whether Grier thinks they stick in the AHL the whole year or get sent back to the CHL. (22:50) Grier gave a quick update on the Quentin Musty/Sudbury Wolves situation. (31:25) Finally, we discuss some of the bright spots in a so far winless season. Toffoli, Eklund, Granlund and Zetterlund are providing s spark in an otherwise poor opening for the Sharks. (43:00) Thanks so much for watching and subscribing!

What did we think of the first week of San Jose Sharks’ action?

Welcome to a new episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

But before we get to our reactions to the losses to the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks, let’s talk about the San Jose Barracuda’s opening weekend.

Kasper Halttunen and Luca Cagnoni break camp with the Cuda! We can also put to bed any concern that Yaroslav Askarov isn’t willing to play in the AHL and his opening night celly. (1:45)

What’s the latest on Macklin Celebrini’s hip injury? (17:05)

What are our takeaways on the San Jose Sharks’ opening homestand? (25:58)

We debate playing Danil Gushchin on opening night, and scratching him for the second game.

What did we think of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith’s first NHL games? We also chat Mikael Granlund. (50:10)

We both have praise for the line of Alex Wennberg, Barclay Goodrow, and Luke Kunin. (59:40)

Keegan is loving Jake Walman. (1:05:43)

We discuss Mario Ferraro, Jan Rutta, Henry Thrun, and Matt Benning’s up-and-down performances.

What did we think of Mackenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek? (1:11:33)

Does William Eklund have more to give? We also talk Tyler Toffoli. (1:13:29)

Our closing thoughts about the San Jose Sharks’ start! (1:19:14)