GDT: Game 14: Sharks vs. Blue Jackets 7:30pm NBCSCA Return of the Mack

[CaptainShark]

I missed the whole Walman thing, was he actually healthy scratched? I remember last game it looked like he injured his wrist early, maybe it was to rest it?

Coaches decision. Warso said the injury had nothing to do with it, Walman kind of disagreed.

My conclusion: Warso scratched him for his two glaring mistakes, Walman thinks him being banged up led to the mistakes…

 

[mogambomoroo]

Celebrini got his first win, cheers to many more to come! King Mack is here to stay.

 

[Alaskanice]

Watching the replay, when Wennberg scored in OT, he has that, “Yeah, I did that.” look on his face. Proper.

 

[coooldude]

For me the only story of the night that mattered was: Celebrini has more and bigger flashes than Smith, but you could tell just watching their shifts that Smith is 10 games ahead of Celebrini in learning how to play a solid NHL game. Macklin played a little chaotic, rusty, poor decisions on zone entry that you simply cannot make at the NHL level, but also nearly scored and created a lot of chances and just has electric energy. I'm excited to see him after 10 games of NHL learning, but it was also cool to see the contrast with Smith and be able to point to what has improved in his game so clearly. Smith also looked faster to his spots and faster in general, and what a great pass of course.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

For me the only story of the night that mattered was: Celebrini has more and bigger flashes than Smith, but you could tell just watching their shifts that Smith is 10 games ahead of Celebrini in learning how to play a solid NHL game. Macklin played a little chaotic, rusty, poor decisions on zone entry that you simply cannot make at the NHL level, but also nearly scored and created a lot of chances and just has electric energy. I'm excited to see him after 10 games of NHL learning, but it was also cool to see the contrast with Smith and be able to point to what has improved in his game so clearly. Smith also looked faster to his spots and faster in general, and what a great pass of course.

Over the last 2 years, Smith has improved in the 2nd half of seasons as well. It will be interesting to see how they both look come the spring, especially if Smith is playing with a Zetterlund or Toffoli as a goal scorer by then and not Kunin.

 

[stator]

Watching the replay, when Wennberg scored in OT, he has that, “Yeah, I did that.” look on his face. Proper.

And he beat one of the league's best dman on that goal. Had Werenski looking like he was playing twister out there.

 

[Alaskanice]

And he beat one of the league's best dman on that goal. Had Werenski looking like he was playing twister out there.

I noticed that too and it made me smile.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Wennberg needs to shoot more.

 

[Barrie22]

Wennberg needs to shoot more.

The entire team needs to shoot more.

 

[tahoesharksfan]

It's great to see Mack back.
Smith is finally letting loose.
Goaltending is ahead of the rest of the team.
Think of where we'd be if we actually had an NHL blue line.

LaBanc is still the master of shooting directly into the crest on the goalie's sweater...

 

[Timo Time]

I know Smith got his 1st two goals in a game, but last night I thought was his best game. The game is coming to him and the improvement is palpable every game. I scoffed at the "development day" plan, yet I think it's actually working.

His vision and finding open space with and without the puck is breaking through. Get him some actual scoring wingers with puck tenacity and I think Will Smith will take off.

My one knock on him, he's weak and gets knocked off the puck too easily. But he's a teenager, that's going to be fixed in a few years time with strength & conditioning.

And for Mack, the rust showed but he still made his mark with speed through the NZ and he just elevates everyone around him.

I hope the 2 can continue to maintain health because having them on the ice together makes the games to much more palatable.

 

[pappaf2]

And he beat one of the league's best dman on that goal. Had Werenski looking like he was playing twister out there.

Is Wennberg going to have a Manny Malhotra type sharks career? Former first round pick that didn’t necessarily meet his projections pre sharks. Now he comes to the sharks and puts together a really solid couple years with the sharks before leaving and having a fairly rapid fall off?

 

[NWSharkie]

I know Smith got his 1st two goals in a game, but last night I thought was his best game. The game is coming to him and the improvement is palpable every game. I scoffed at the "development day" plan, yet I think it's actually working.

His vision and finding open space with and without the puck is breaking through. Get him some actual scoring wingers with puck tenacity and I think Will Smith will take off.

My one knock on him, he's weak and gets knocked off the puck too easily. But he's a teenager, that's going to be fixed in a few years time with strength & conditioning.

And for Mack, the rust showed but he still made his mark with speed through the NZ and he just elevates everyone around him.

I hope the 2 can continue to maintain health because having them on the ice together makes the games to much more palatable.

Watching Mack last night made me miss Hertl a lot. Mack has that video-game sense of where everybody is and was making crazy creative passes that didn't work because the target was nowhere close to expecting them. Hertl was so good at finishing those kinds of chances from Jumbo and Karlsson and the two of them would be a menace together.

 

[StrawHatEklund]

Mack back and showing off during warm-ups.

Wennberg with the OT winner. Mack was a bit rusty but had some nice moments. Smith looked good (glad his assist just barely counted as 5 vs. 5 haha). Vanecek was great and allowed us to eek out a win we really didn't deserve.

 

[Jargon]

First game I can honestly say that Smith looked like an NHLer. I was really happy he tried the move that he did, I think the confidence is coming now and he’s only going to get better. I do wish he had a scorer in his wing to replace one of Goodrow or Kunin.

 

[Juxtaposer]

For me the only story of the night that mattered was: Celebrini has more and bigger flashes than Smith, but you could tell just watching their shifts that Smith is 10 games ahead of Celebrini in learning how to play a solid NHL game. Macklin played a little chaotic, rusty, poor decisions on zone entry that you simply cannot make at the NHL level, but also nearly scored and created a lot of chances and just has electric energy. I'm excited to see him after 10 games of NHL learning, but it was also cool to see the contrast with Smith and be able to point to what has improved in his game so clearly. Smith also looked faster to his spots and faster in general, and what a great pass of course.

I loved to see Smith getting engaged in boards battles and even winning a couple. He outmuscled Jiricek on one and someone else that was much bigger than him on another. He'll get stronger as he gets into his early twenties and actually win more of those battles, but for now I'm very satisfied with him even trying. He wasn't doing that in the NCAA until like February last year, so it's awesome that it's only taken him ten games to do it in the NHL.

View attachment 926954
I don't think this is good chat. Lol

Amazing how Ceci went from "surprisingly decent" with Walman to "abysmal garbage" with Ferraro. It's crazy how Rutta's numbers look so much better when paired with a rookie RHD playing on his off-side than Ferraro.

These numbers backed up what I saw last night, which is that Jack Thompson was great. He made a couple of really strong defensive plays on some real good forwards. As far as I'm concerned, he's one of our top-4 defensemen. Just want him to keep getting quicker and stronger, could be a gem.

 

[Waterbuf]

Do you folks think Liljegrin or Thompson will continue to QB the powerplay?

 

[OrrNumber4]

I loved to see Smith getting engaged in boards battles and even winning a couple. He outmuscled Jiricek on one and someone else that was much bigger than him on another. He'll get stronger as he gets into his early twenties and actually win more of those battles, but for now I'm very satisfied with him even trying. He wasn't doing that in the NCAA until like February last year, so it's awesome that it's only taken him ten games to do it in the NHL.


Amazing how Ceci went from "surprisingly decent" with Walman to "abysmal garbage" with Ferraro. It's crazy how Rutta's numbers look so much better when paired with a rookie RHD playing on his off-side than Ferraro.

These numbers backed up what I saw last night, which is that Jack Thompson was great. He made a couple of really strong defensive plays on some real good forwards. As far as I'm concerned, he's one of our top-4 defensemen. Just want him to keep getting quicker and stronger, could be a gem.

I have to say that I was very unimpressed with Jiricek. I don't see how he's such a big deal.

 

[sampler]

thoughts:
1. Vanecek is good... Duh statement of the day
2. smith's pass was sweet. Hes obviously more a disher than a scorer so I loved seeing that vision in practice. Also the goal happened because the sharks were MOVING, circling, skating off the puck and creating lanes and havoc. When the team MOVES, especially on the PP, they are good. When stagnant, they are god awful.
3. Thompson is an NHLer. I am very excited about him! 22 years old. Could be a real staple on the blueline for a long time. nice trade with TBL!
4. I'm over ferraro. Ive been a big fan for a long time, but Im not over him. Just too many times hes in the middle of something bad happening.
5. Sharks needs walman. A lot.
6. Celly was obviously a bit off. Many many high turnovers. Cannot happen. However, I somehow think they wont happen much going forward. The speed he thinks the game, the creativity, the pace, he is special. he almost outthinks everyone sometimes, and hell learn to make the simple play too as he matures. He doesnt ALWAYS have to attempt the ridiculous no look pass....
7. Sharks effort is spotty. they really stopped skating in the 3rd. Stopped forechecking. Stopped working. Stopped skating off the puck, even when they got possession. it was ugly. Tons of standing around and watching. Warsofsky has not figured out how to coach consistent effort just yet. Guess its a work in progress.

All in all, 4 wins in 5 games (could easily have been 5 straight) so the team is going in the right direction. If Celly and smith keep improving, Walman continues his overall great play, Thompson takes Thrun's spot, ferraro drops to a 4th or 5th Dman role (16-18 mins.gm of PK work), and the effort becomes consistent, then this team could surprise. 4-8-2 is bad, but not THAT bad. And, they have only been blown out twice. All other losses are 1 or 2 and pretty tight games. Tied or winning in the 3rd period in 10 of the 14 games.

They could easily be .500, with a few breaks and thats without celebrini all year.

 

[sampler]

Do you folks think Liljegrin or Thompson will continue to QB the powerplay?

Personally I like Thompson there. He is more mobile. He moves around the Ozone and creates more. His goal was because he didnt just park at the point, instead, he moved down, dropped to zetterlund, skated down the goalline, then floated up to the circles and thats partly why they lost him. Had he initially just hung out at the point instead of skating down hard to exhange with zetterlund, none of the play happens.

I think a great PP needs mobile D who can get shots through but who also can wonder around and make PKers be aware of them at all times. No PK expects a Dman to be at the goalline, so it was a great display of the value of a Dman who can skate and make plays.

 

[ChompChomp]

Is Wennberg going to have a Manny Malhotra type sharks career? Former first round pick that didn’t necessarily meet his projections pre sharks. Now he comes to the sharks and puts together a really solid couple years with the sharks before leaving and having a fairly rapid fall off?

That's a little unfair considering Malhotra had a severe eye injury in 2011 that very much helped that rapid fall off. (Also Malhotra only played one year as a Shark)

 

[TheBeard]

Do you folks think Liljegrin or Thompson will continue to QB the powerplay?

Hopefully Luca gets the call-up sooner rather than later and he takes that spot.

LaBanc is still the master of shooting directly into the crest on the goalie's sweater...

You play with Marleau long enough you tend to pick up some bad habits.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Do you folks think Liljegrin or Thompson will continue to QB the powerplay?

I prefer Thompson. Don't think Liljegren has PPQB1 skill.

I have to say that I was very unimpressed with Jiricek. I don't see how he's such a big deal.

I genuinely have no idea what's happening to this guy. He was so incredible in his draft year, had the kind of swagger you just can't teach. Looks like a shell of himself now. I really think he needs a change of scenery, fresh start.

 

[timorous me]

These numbers backed up what I saw last night, which is that Jack Thompson was great. He made a couple of really strong defensive plays on some real good forwards. As far as I'm concerned, he's one of our top-4 defensemen. Just want him to keep getting quicker and stronger, could be a gem.

It's easy to forget (I include myself in this sometimes) because he didn't come through the Sharks' system, but Thompson is still in his age-22 season. So for all the questions about his defense, like what scouts talked about in the recent Sheng+ piece, he's really not in a bad place imo in terms of his progression.

And there's no denying that he's only getting better offensively as he gets more comfortable. That goal off the Smith pass was awesome not just because of the sweet dish but because if you watch Thompson's whole shift his movement was really smart and allowed him to be in position to get the pass and take a good shot.

2. smith's pass was sweet. Hes obviously more a disher than a scorer

You do remember his two goals, right? I think part of what's exciting about him as an offensive player is that he has the capability to do it all, and once he gets more opportunities with guys who can keep up with him (in terms of skill and the mental game) we're going to see more and more of that.

 

[Juxtaposer]

It's easy to forget (I include myself in this sometimes) because he didn't come through the Sharks' system, but Thompson is still in his age-22 season. So for all the questions about his defense, like what scouts talked about in the recent Sheng+ piece, he's really not in a bad place imo in terms of his progression.

And there's no denying that he's only getting better offensively as he gets more comfortable. That goal off the Smith pass was awesome not just because of the sweet dish but because if you watch Thompson's whole shift his movement was really smart and allowed him to be in position to get the pass and take a good shot.


You do remember his two goals, right? I think part of what's exciting about him as an offensive player is that he has the capability to do it all, and once he gets more opportunities with guys who can keep up with him (in terms of skill and the mental game) we're going to see more and more of that.

When Thompson came over last year and I watched him with the Cuda, I was thinking that he had the feel of a Jason Demers or Justin Braun late-round gem that could develop into something more.

Braun really took that next step when he locked in and hired a skating coach. He was a solid bottom pairing guy before that, but his skating jumping from good to great made a world of difference for him. I think Thompson's brain and hands are there. If he got a step faster and a bit stronger, I think we're talking about a real player.