GDT: Game 18. Sharks at Rangers 4pm

[TheBeard]

Kunin wouldn't do that other than by mistake. HUGE difference in creating a play like that and only having something like that happen by random chance.

Result is still the same.

A turnover.

 

[DG93]

It's really not. If someone's going to only hyperfixate on the points instead of celebrating the good things they did that didn't result in points, then maybe they should take a couple years off from the Sharks until they're fully developed.

We're in the hardest part of the rebuild right now: being patient while waiting for potential to be realized. If you spend that time griping about a lack of points, that's how you end up resenting your young players.

Anyway, I really liked Celebrini and Smith together at evens and would like to see more of it.

This. The flashes are awesome, and everyone is frustrated that we can't have that most of the game every game because the potential for fun and greatness is obvious. Gotta keep preaching patience...these guys will continue to develop, and the Sharks will keep adding more and more talent through the draft as well as free agency and trade with all the cap space and trade pieces available. This was also against a really good team in the Rangers. I am willing to bet the Sharks will look way better vs bad teams like Pittsburgh.

Warso is also in a tough spot because regardless of ups and downs of the young guys, he doesn't have enough talent to go around to help them either. Ideally, you have the "Lund" line taking on tough assignments, another top-6 winger to give to Macklin + Toffoli instead of dragging around a 4th liner (Goodrow) who is about 3 lines above where he should be in the lineup, and another top-9 winger for Wennberg + Smith instead of either a boat anchor (Kunin) or a replacement level #12/13 forward in Dellandrea. Sadly, that's not the case, so you end up with suboptimal lineups.

 

[weastern bias]

It's really not. If someone's going to only hyperfixate on the points instead of celebrating the good things they did that didn't result in points, then maybe they should take a couple years off from the Sharks until they're fully developed.

We're in the hardest part of the rebuild right now: being patient while waiting for potential to be realized. If you spend that time griping about a lack of points, that's how you end up resenting your young players.

Anyway, I really liked Celebrini and Smith together at evens and would like to see more of it.

Saying fans who have suffered through 5 years of terrible hockey "don't deserve" the young talents they have gotten through the draft just because they are understandably impatient after all this time is far more extreme than sports fans being emotional about continuing to lose even if it isn't rational to expect more from the team right now

The organization is lucky they have anyone left who is passionate enough to have unrealistic expectations for this team after they wasted 3 and a half years wandering aimlessly through the desert, in a way it's a good thing people are still complaining, at least that means they still care, the jaded resignation someone like I has expecting to miss the playoffs for another 5 years is probably more dangerous than the wistful optimism of the posters who bet real money on this team to win the Stanley Cup, lol

 

[tiburon12]

This was a really good game on the whole. Rangers are a veteran team with old stars - good learning experience for a young team to play against.

Getting 2 on Sheshterkin is nothing to sneeze at either. in 21-22 he shut the team out twice lol

 

[coooldude]

Saw an awesome first period, then had to step away for the rest of the game. Sounds like we got pretty soundly outplayed after the first.

In the first, you can see that the roster and the coach's system allows us to be a pain in the ass for any team. Fourth line looked really annoying, in particular, and that's reflected on this game card which seems designed for controversy (below).

I generally like seeing just how raw and in need of development Celebrini is, because even then, every single shift he does at least one thing noticeably good, and absolutely belongs in top line NHL hockey already, even if he's not yet an actual all star. It's amazing that he still looks so raw, because it means he has such a long way to go. Smith's development will likely continue to be more controversial and frustrating for people, but as others and I have been saying -- better to strap in for about 3+ years of ups and downs. Smith has started to show 1-2 great plays a game and not always on the puck - that's also encouraging.

By the time these two kids' prefrontal cortexes are fully developed, it's going to be the 2030's. Shit's gonna take a long time. I'm not yet at all discouraged about their development, the org's handling of them, or the coach's handling of them. Way too much hand wringing going on over line composition and game-by-game stat lines. This is supposed to be fun, and we're still HELLA at the bottom.

Hockeystatcards:

Moneypuck xG:

HockeyViz xG breakdown: looks like Granlund/Zetterlund/Goodrow had some of the best chances of the game.

 

[TheBeard]

Saying fans who have suffered through 5 years of terrible hockey "don't deserve" the young talents they have gotten through the draft just because they are understandably impatient after all this time is far more extreme than sports fans being emotional about continuing to lose even if it isn't rational to expect more from the team right now

The organization is lucky they have anyone left who is passionate enough to have unrealistic expectations for this team after they wasted 3 and a half years wandering aimlessly through the desert, in a way it's a good thing people are still complaining, at least that means they still care, the jaded resignation someone like I has expecting to miss the playoffs for another 5 years is probably more dangerous than the wistful optimism of the posters who bet real money on this team to win the Stanley Cup, lol

I agree. There's nothing worse than a fan dictating "proper" expectations, especially those of us who stuck around through the last 5 very dark years.

Don't be like that.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I'm convinced games like this were just the team trying to showcase Blackwood

The sooner they get a 3rd for Blackwood, the sooner they can call up Askarov and focus on seeing if there’s a taker for Vanecek.

 

[TheBeard]

The sooner they get a 3rd for Blackwood, the sooner they can call up Askarov and focus on seeing if there’s a taker for Vanecek.

I would bet that whomever we trade him to will be bringing back a goalie, whether a Georgie or a Pickard. I don’t think Askarov sees time til end of year.

 

[Shark Finn]

Just think how f*cking good Celebrini and Smith will be after next off-season with an NHL season in their backpocket with so much knowledge on what to concentrate on training wise.

 

[tiburon12]

Just think how f*cking good Celebrini and Smith will be after next off-season with an NHL season in their backpocket with so much knowledge on what to concentrate on training wise.

and get a little more strength.

 

[Star Platinum]

This was a really good game on the whole. Rangers are a veteran team with old stars - good learning experience for a young team to play against.

Getting 2 on Sheshterkin is nothing to sneeze at either. in 21-22 he shut the team out twice lol

More importantly, we need a lot of one goal loss games if we're gonna be in position to draft the players that are going to make a difference for us. Too many more of these overtime losses and we run the risk of ending up with a pick outside of the top players in this year's draft.

 

[tiburon12]

More importantly, we need a lot of one goal loss games if we're gonna be in position to draft the players that are going to make a difference for us. Too many more of these overtime losses and we run the risk of ending up with a pick outside of the top players in this year's draft.

I don't think we'll have to worry about that haha

 

[timorous me]

The sooner they get a 3rd for Blackwood, the sooner they can call up Askarov and focus on seeing if there’s a taker for Vanecek.

On the Rangers pregame show, analyst Steve Valiquette (not an insider, really, but easily the best analyst in the business) said he's heard that the Sharks might well move Blackwood within the next three weeks.

 

[OrrNumber4]

On the Rangers pregame show, analyst Steve Valiquette (not an insider, really, but easily the best analyst in the business) said he's heard that the Sharks might well move Blackwood within the next three weeks.

This could be true.

I wonder if a lot of outsiders are thinking that the Sharks will act like most teams would (like they did under Wilson). If you have an goalie like Askarov in the wings you clear the way for him...

 

[tiburon12]

This could be true.

I wonder if a lot of outsiders are thinking that the Sharks will act like most teams would (like they did under Wilson). If you have an goalie like Askarov in the wings you clear the way for him...

A lot of outsiders think that the Sharks are angering Askarov by putting him the minors, saying that being in the minors was the reason he wanted out of NSH. Outsiders seems to have misconceptions

 

[drunksage]

SNOG announcement​

Got back from a fun party event, exhaustedly trudged through recording, and here I am.

No SNOG though.

#	Date / Opponent​	SNOG Winner(s)​	Result​
1	Oct. 10 vs Blues	none	Blues 5-4 OT
2	Oct. 12 vs Ducks	none	Ducks 2-0
3	Oct. 15 at Stars	weastern bias	Stars 3-2 SO
4	Oct. 17 at Blackhawks	weastern bias	Blackhawks 4-2
5	Oct. 18 at Jets	none	Jets 8-3
6	Oct. 20 vs Avalanche	none	Avalanche 4-1
7	Oct. 22 at Ducks	Timo Time	Ducks 3-1
8	Oct. 24 at Kings	Friday	Kings 3-2
9	Oct. 26 at VGK	none	VGK 7-3
10	Oct. 28 at Utah	none	Sharks 5-4 OT
11	Oct. 29 vs Kings	MackAttack71, bluefunnel, sharks_dynasty	Sharks 4-2
12	Oct. 31 vs Blackhawks	none	Sharks 3-2
13	Nov. 2 vs Canucks	none	Canucks 3-2
14	Nov. 5 vs Blue Jackets	none	Sharks 2-1 OT
15	Nov. 7 vs Wild	timorous me	Wild 5-2
16	Nov. 10 at Devils	none	Sharks 1-0
17	Nov. 11 at Flyers	TheBigDrunkPanda	Flyers 4-3 SO
18	Nov. 15 at Rangers	none	Rangers 3-2

Rank	2024-25 SNOG standings​	# of SNOGs
1.	weastern bias	2
T-2.	bluefunnel, Friday, MackAttack71, sharks_dynasty, TheBigDrunkPanda, Timo Time, timorous me	1

 

[timorous me]

A lot of outsiders think that the Sharks are angering Askarov by putting him the minors, saying that being in the minors was the reason he wanted out of NSH. Outsiders seems to have misconceptions

This bit from Valiquette seemed to be more about other teams being ready to make a move on Blackwood. You have to think Colorado could well be that team; especially with goaltending, it seems wise to act before it's too late if things haven't turned around within, say, two months.

 

[Skeksis25]

I just wish people would enjoy watching this team grow a little more rather than nitpick about who is not getting enough points and who is making a costly turnover(unless its Kunin or Ruuta, I'm all for piling on them). Last year we looked like an inept AHL team at times. Gave up 10 goals multiple times. This year, we are keeping a lot of games against the best teams in the league close.

We are obviously still one of the worst teams in the league, but surely everyone expected that? Surely no one went into this season expecting Celebrini and specially Smith to light up the scorecard every game? They are teenagers and honestly have played as advertised. In case of Macklin, probably even better than advertised. Jack Thompson has unexpectedly looked like he might be a NHL defenseman. Eklund has looked very good as well, on pace for possibly a 60 point season.

We've literally spent years in the Dark Ages. Now, there is clear reasons for hope. I'm usually a pessimistic fan myself, but I'm tired of being miserable about the Sharks. Specially when this year has given a lot of reasons to be optimistic. Don't let over inflated expectations bring that down.

 

[STL Shark]

I would bet that whomever we trade him to will be bringing back a goalie, whether a Georgie or a Pickard. I don’t think Askarov sees time til end of year.

More likely is we take back a Korenar type to even out numbers. Teams trading for goalies are all in. You don't go all in by getting rid of depth, even if it isn't performing well. Colorado isn't hurting for cap space either.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I would bet that whomever we trade him to will be bringing back a goalie, whether a Georgie or a Pickard. I don’t think Askarov sees time til end of year.

I suspect a goalie being returned to us will be part of the deal. If it's a team like Edmonton, they have Collin Delia that would let us have someone in the AHL in place of Askarov. Colorado doesn't have a veteran but I suppose it doesn't really matter if they sent us Mandolese or Miner. Maybe we can send Blackwood to one and Vanecek to the other but we'll see.

On the Rangers pregame show, analyst Steve Valiquette (not an insider, really, but easily the best analyst in the business) said he's heard that the Sharks might well move Blackwood within the next three weeks.

I'm hoping that it's done within two weeks before the six game road trip that starts in Seattle on the back end of a back-to-back home-and-home with the Kraken. Getting a deal done during that road trip could be a bit problematic logistically.

 

[sampler]

I too expect a goalie deal in the near future. That said, I hope grier is very patient. There is absolutely no reason to jump in a mediocre deal. For once, the sharks hold all the cards. They have two solid NHL goalies and a future NHL Goalie in the Cuda. They have no need to be desperate or trade one just to trade one. They have no need to shed future salary or to try to improve the current roster. Other teams, especially contenders, have all the desperation. they will be more impatient and have far more of a need. If grier plays his cards well, he could get a 2nd or even a 1st out of blackwood if he keeps playing so well.

Think about it: Teams like Colorado and Edmonton consider themselves to be cup contenders. They cannot allow terrible goaltending to sink their chances. Its well worth a protected 1st ('25 or '26) for either one to ensure that they have the goaltending to make a run. There is no more important position. Georgiev is very iffy. Skinner is iffy. Do they want to put their whole season in jeopardy by running with subpar goaltending? No way. Grier could deal BOTH goalies if he plays his cards relaly well:

1. Blackwood to colorado for Georgiev and a 2026 1st rounder (or a '25 2nd + '24 4th). Not only do the avs upgrade but they actually save over 1M on the cap for future acquisitions.

2. Vanecek to EDM for a 2nd rounder and Calvin Pickard.

Then, the sharks can either run with pickard/Georgiev and suck, or even send down Pickard and make Askarov the #1 (georgiev as the backup).

I think Grier can do a whole lot better than a 3rd rounder if he takes advantage of a desperate colorado team that has got to be shopping for a proven vet goalie hard.

 

[sampler]

Also, regarding current play, I think Walman is a major difference maker. Liljegren has come in a fit very nicely. Thompson, while still working on the D side, looks pretty good and adds some offensive punch. Put in Walman and his 22 min/gm and the sharks D starts to be not horrific, and they will start having guys who can play in the O zone too.

I think the sharks, if fully healthy, are a .500 team (note: that's still well below league average). I dont think this team is gunna be dead last.

I know many here want them to be dead last. I can understand the logic (Hagens or martone would be nice), but I think building a winning culture is more important. That is starting to come just a bit...

p.s.: This must be one of the great Empty Net offensive teams of all time? They must be like +5 on the empty net, when the vast majority of the time the defensive teams ends up scoring. Amazing...