GDT: Game 1: Sharks vs. Blues 7:30pm ESPN+/Hulu. It begins!

[stator]

Just got home:

This falls squarely on Warsofsky. Sharks stopped skating. You can see in the second what happens when the sharks work hard, more their feet, and play with pace and urgency.

In the third, they quit playing hockey. No skating. No effort. Like a 20 min pk. That’s a coaching failure and continuation of the Quinn garbage. Warsofsky is new. He cannot allow this to happen again.

Also, As predicted, smith belongs in the Ahl. He created next to nothing. Great pass to granny in the first but after a gift turnover. He wasn’t bad per se, but created nothing with two good players. He needs to home his game in the A.

gush is a waste in the fourth line. He needs skills on his line.

Warsofsky has work to do.

This is his rookie year as a HC in the NHL, but yes, he does have his work cut out for him. Blues coach made some adjustments and won the 3rd quarter and game. War didn't seem to counter during that period.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

This is his rookie year as a HC in the NHL, but yes, he does have his work cut out for him. Blues coach made some adjustments and won the 3rd quarter and game. War didn't seem to counter during that period.

I would think he would let the team know the plan as to how they would hold leads. If he had told them how he planned to protect leads and then went against it in his 1st game, I think it would be hard for players to trust what his plans were. I could be wrong but I would think the players had an idea of what he wanted and who would play more with a lead.

Now let's see if he learned from it, but I would give him a pass opening night.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844651126999875681

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844745692033761366

 

[Gecklund]

I think a lot of people in here are looking at Celebrini’s debut and comparing it to Smith’s. Smith looked fine out there. Was he great? No but he looked like a rookie. Those saying he needs to go back to the AHL I’d ask why? He held his own against NHLers. Maybe if the wear and tear gets to be too much then send him down but for now I’d say give him 10 games see if there’s improvement. It seemed he got better from the first to the second. Can’t say the same about the third period but the entire team looked bad in the third period.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

I think a lot of people in here are looking at Celebrini’s debut and comparing it to Smith’s. Smith looked fine out there. Was he great? No but he looked like a rookie. Those saying he needs to go back to the AHL I’d ask why? He held his own against NHLers. Maybe if the wear and tear gets to be too much then send him down but for now I’d say give him 10 games see if there’s improvement. It seemed he got better from the first to the second. Can’t say the same about the third period but the entire team looked bad in the third period.

Yeah, I’m surprised at how much criticism Smith is receiving. The puck was following him around and he made some good decisions when he got it and his line had a few dangerous chances. He definitely can play offense at this level and I don’t think there’s anywhere better for him to learn to play defense.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844743869335834823

Friedman gives major shout out to Sharks home opener and Macklin starting about 46 minutes.

 

[Gecklund]

Yeah, I’m surprised at how much criticism Smith is receiving. The puck was following him around and he made some good decisions when he got it and his line had a few dangerous chances. He definitely can play offense at this level and I don’t think there’s anywhere better for him to learn to play defense.

I do understand it in a way. Watching his play exclusively and not really his impact I guess, he looked very nonchalant but like you said puck was following him. Him and Macklin were kind of similar in that way. Lots of times both of them seemed like they were skating slow or just didn’t seem super engaged but that’s because they were already in the right position. Both of them were doing “work smarter not harder.” Now obviously with Smith it was much less consistent but I just don’t see the point in sending him down at this point.

 

[Alaskanice]

This morning, as I drink my coffee, I’m thinking that had Logan played, we could’ve won that game. He thrives in those situations.

 

[JBeast]

Obviously only the first period but I don’t think it’s reach to say Mack will end up being better than Bedard in the long run he’s got such a complete game already it’s insane. Smith on the other hand should probably be on the wing he’s just a step behind on decision making and I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up in the AHL. Blackwood is god tier that is all

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1844750247420997878

 

[Pinkfloyd]

They deserved to lose that game given how the 1st and 3rd periods went. The Blues were the better team but blowing a 3 goal 3rd period lead is inexcusable.

 

[one2gamble]

I would think he would let the team know the plan as to how they would hold leads. If he had told them how he planned to protect leads and then went against it in his 1st game, I think it would be hard for players to trust what his plans were. I could be wrong but I would think the players had an idea of what he wanted and who would play more with a lead.

Now let's see if he learned from it, but I would give him a pass opening night.

Step 1. Dont protect leads
Step 2. Dont change what got you the lead
Step 3. Win Games

 

[Bizz]

I hope Warsofsky learned a valuable lesson tonight and never does prevent victory hockey again. Sharks were killing St Louis in transition why stop and change to chip and chase?

Yep. Straight up sat on a 4-1 lead and tried to play prevent Defense with one of the worst defenses in the NHL on paper. Hopefully he'll learn from this.

 

[Skeksis25]

First loss of many, won't be the only time we blow a lead. Sure, would have been nice not to, but we were lucky to be up 4-1 anyway. Blues were the much better team and deserved to win. I'd rather not start hand wringing over losses and start assigning blame already, but look at the positives.

Macklin obviously looked very good. What a thrill to watch him score the first goal for us this season.

I'm confused by the Will Smith criticism. Feel like he is being held up to Celebrini levels of expectations. He looked fine as a 19 year old rookie. Had his moments. Obviously has a ways to go and probably would benefit from some AHL time, but its not like he looked inept out there.

I love Eklund. Was so good to see his reaction to Celebrini's goal. Felt like a leader. Wouldn't be surprised to see a letter on his jersey in the near future.

I'm excited for this season. Not in terms of wins and losses, fully expect another real crack at #1 overall. But its going to be fun to see the kids grow. Hopefully sometime this season, we see Mukh and Askarov play as well.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I refuse to read this thread to find out who is criticizing Smith for this game, but anyone criticizing Smith for this game is simply never going to like Will Smith. The same way many people just never liked Marleau because he wasn't "intense" or "physical" or "high-energy" or whatever you want to call it. Even if Smith is putting up 90 point seasons, some people are just going to hate how he plays.

 

[coooldude]

I refuse to read this thread to find out who is criticizing Smith for this game, but anyone criticizing Smith for this game is simply never going to like Will Smith. The same way many people just never liked Marleau because he wasn't "intense" or "physical" or "high-energy" or whatever you want to call it. Even if Smith is putting up 90 point seasons, some people are just going to hate how he plays.

He's definitely gonna be the lightning rod.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[WSS11]

I refuse to read this thread to find out who is criticizing Smith for this game, but anyone criticizing Smith for this game is simply never going to like Will Smith. The same way many people just never liked Marleau because he wasn't "intense" or "physical" or "high-energy" or whatever you want to call it. Even if Smith is putting up 90 point seasons, some people are just going to hate how he plays.

So he’ll pretty much be our version of Mitch Marner lol

 

[MackAttack71]

I wonder if one of the other shark players got the puck out of the net or the refs to bring it to the bench. The live camera couldn't catch that moment. And i haven't seen the typical foto with the tape on the puck, smiling Macklin presenting it etc.

 

[Crankshaft Mechanic]

Celebrini is everything we hoped for.

Smith played well in the context of a first ever NHL game. I remember at least one chance where a line mate (Zetterlund?) missed a near tap-in b/c they didn't anticipate the setup.

It's early in the season but I am willing to acknowledge that Goodrow is not, in fact, washed. He's still a good 4th liner (albeit playing on our 3rd line).

 

[Juxtaposer]

Celebrini is everything we hoped for.

Smith played well in the context of a first ever NHL game. I remember at least one chance where a line mate (Zetterlund?) missed a near tap-in b/c they didn't anticipate the setup.

It's early in the season but I am willing to acknowledge that Goodrow is not, in fact, washed. He's still a good 4th liner (albeit playing on our 3rd line).

Yeah I'll be honest Goodrow was pretty good. I can admit that because I accepted Goodrow into my top-9 two preseason games ago, so I was basically already right anyway!

 

[one2gamble]

I refuse to read this thread to find out who is criticizing Smith for this game, but anyone criticizing Smith for this game is simply never going to like Will Smith. The same way many people just never liked Marleau because he wasn't "intense" or "physical" or "high-energy" or whatever you want to call it. Even if Smith is putting up 90 point seasons, some people are just going to hate how he plays.

I wasnt paying a ton of attention to this thread, my only comment about smith was that it looked like he was thinking the game rather than just playing it. I think he created oppotunities his linemates were not prepared for and was not a complete shit show in his own end. You cant really expect more from game 1. It definitly looks like hes going to be fine and my expectation is that he starts ramping up as the games go on.

 

[Hodge]

Smith made multiple great passes that his linemates weren't ready for and didn't have any WTF turnovers. He still needs to get stronger on the puck but that will develop over time.

Gushchin on the other hand was a complete non-factor apart from taking a penalty. It's almost like the preseason bears little resemblance to actual NHL hockey.

 

[sampler]

I refuse to read this thread to find out who is criticizing Smith for this game, but anyone criticizing Smith for this game is simply never going to like Will Smith. The same way many people just never liked Marleau because he wasn't "intense" or "physical" or "high-energy" or whatever you want to call it. Even if Smith is putting up 90 point seasons, some people are just going to hate how he plays.

That's a ridiculous take. "I refuse to read anyone who disagrees with me, and anyone who does clearly just hates Smith no matter what." Huh? That's ridiculous. You think he was solid. Cool, thats your take.

I thought differently and I don't hate him at all. I saw him looking a bit lost and a step slow while playing on a line with two of the top 3 forwards last year. He is 19, so obviously, its extremely rare to star right off the bat. I didn't expect him to, which is why I wanted Gush in the top 6 and Smith on the top line in the A to start the year. Give him top line mins on the cuda, and let him shine a bit in the pro game before making the NHL.

Smith did not earn top 6 forward looks in the preseason. He did not dominate like Gush did. I have zero doubt that Smith will be a very good NHLer in time. Just recognize that despite playing with zetterlund and granlund (who connected nicely on the PP when smith was not on the ice) comes with expectations of production.

The AHL exists exactly for players like Smith. 19-20 year olds who aren't quite NHL ready, but surely will be relatively soon once they get used to playing against men in the pro game. Having him learn on the fly, have long pointless streaks, and hurt himself and the team in the process makes little sense to me. let him tear it up, and call him up a bit more seasoned and ready, just like Cagnoni.