GDT: Game 24: Sharks vs. Kings 7:30pm NBCSCA

[stator]

ESPN.com did the weekly Bedard watch in his rookie year. Where's Celebrini's?

 

[Alaskanice]

I forget that most of y'all aren't watching Cuda games and therefore were surprised by Askarov's, uh, adventurous nature. I regret to inform you that That's Just How He Is.

You'll get a gaff out of it every once and a while, but it works out the vast majority of the time and it's really useful for stopping hard rimming attempts to regain possession and start breakouts. He's incredibly unique, but it really, really works.

I’ll take it.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

real... good ... backend

That’s because Mario Lidstrom was in the building last night

 

[Alaskanice]

Watching the highlights. That backhand pass by Will to Lily, that is so hard to do. It took me a long time to get that right. These kids have it woven in their game. It amazes me.

 

[TheBigDrunkPanda]

Hertl’s was before that, in his rookie year. There has to be someone who did it in the early/mid 90s though, with how much goal scoring there was pre-trap.

Edit: nvm, he said one period. My money is still on a 90s player.

Guardreau?

 

[one2gamble]

So far, the only knock on Celebrini is his macro-level (on-ice) stats don't look very good

wtf does that even mean, we just got stats coming back that hes near the top of all kinds of weird small stats

 

[coooldude]

wtf does that even mean, we just got stats coming back that hes near the top of all kinds of weird small stats

"On-ice" are stats for all time he's on ice, as in team stats. Things like xGF, corsi (shots for%), and other puck possession metrics.

 

[one2gamble]

"On-ice" are stats for all time he's on ice, as in team stats. Things like xGF, corsi (shots for%), and other puck possession metrics.

the team sucks what are we expecting lol

 

[karltonian]

Watching the highlights. That backhand pass by Will to Lily, that is so hard to do. It took me a long time to get that right. These kids have it woven in their game. It amazes me.

That was as good a pass as you can make on the pp. Smith continues to make good plays but fail on execution, his pass timing and power needs continuing dial-in.

 

[karltonian]

So far, the only knock on Celebrini is his macro-level (on-ice) stats don't look very good (tiny sample size though so who cares). But even on that front, Bedard's are even worse and everything else looks way better on Celebrini's end. He has 24% of Bedard's career goals in 13% of his career games lol.

Don't even think those are on him though. He's not losing many puck battles and regularly breaks up plays and starts potential breakouts. The d tends to get hammered and his wingers aren't quite his tempo yet.

 

[coooldude]

That was as good a pass as you can make on the pp. Smith continues to make good plays but fail on execution, his pass timing and power needs continuing dial-in.

I'm really happy for the kid that he got two A's on PP. his game left a lot to be desired otherwise and he even struggled on some other PP stretches. It was a nicely weighted pass on the backhand to Lily, but it's not going to make anyone's highlight reel. I thought it was solid. His 2nd assist was the right play to Eklund, but nothing super exciting. Classic Will Secondary.

Would love to see another flash at some point in the next few games, it's been some time since he has impacted the game in an exciting way. Last night he stood out more for getting knocked off the puck and being behind the play to me. Wasn't one of his best games.

 

[timorous me]

Don't even think those are on him though. He's not losing many puck battles and regularly breaks up plays and starts potential breakouts. The d tends to get hammered and his wingers aren't quite his tempo yet.

Yeah, and early on there were more kind of adventurous turnovers when he'd try to make sort of a highlight type of play in the neutral zone, and the team would often get pegged in for a while because of that. That's really all you can pin on Celebrini--and I've noticed those types of plays have been gradually diminishing, which is another great sign for him, how quick of a learner he is.

 

[sampler]

I'm really happy for the kid that he got two A's on PP. his game left a lot to be desired otherwise and he even struggled on some other PP stretches. It was a nicely weighted pass on the backhand to Lily, but it's not going to make anyone's highlight reel. I thought it was solid. His 2nd assist was the right play to Eklund, but nothing super exciting. Classic Will Secondary.

Would love to see another flash at some point in the next few games, it's been some time since he has impacted the game in an exciting way. Last night he stood out more for getting knocked off the puck and being behind the play to me. Wasn't one of his best games.

Smith shows momentary flashes of competence, but little else. he took forever to get his shot off point blank and got it blocked. He is very soft on the puck and loses most every puck battle. On the forecheck, his feet frequently stop moving, he starts reaching and hoping, and gets outskated up the ice. He continues to show slight improvements and seems to be getting closer to NHL ready, but his teams worst -12, just 3 EV points all year... hes just not there yet.

The difference between him and celebrini is remarkable. When Celly gets the puck inside his own zone, his feet just start chugging, head up the whole way, hands of gold... Obviously, he is prone to a bad turnover here and there and has some learning to do to complete his game, but at 18 its unreal to watch. He is dangerous with the puck and his shot is superb. I wonder if he really ends up being a generational talent in time, because he has the intangibles (the heart, the personality, work ethic, attitude) to be the best player in the NHL eventually.

I still think smith is better off in the minors, but of course, that won't happen.

p.s.: Walman is an all star. Like, no joke. This guy is All-star caliber. I cant believe Detroit actually gave a 2nd rounder to get rid of him. WTF??!! He could be a bona fide #1 D. I hope the sharks extend him this summer. Hats off to Grier on this one.

p.p.s: hate to say it, but the sharks got lucky to win this one. 7-2 is totally wrong. The zetterlund goal was lucky. The first celly goal was a great shot but should have been a pretty routine save. Even Liljgren's goal likely should have been stopped. I'll take it, but its not like the sharks dominated or anything.

p.p.p.s: Sharks PP needs to MOVE, SHOOT, and CRASH THE NET. The Wennberg goal was exactly right formula. Before Celly scored, I couldnt beleive my eyes watching the sharks killing their own 5 on 3, throwing the puck meaninglessly around the perimeter until they fumble. They need a killer instinct. Move your feet, start circling, dropping, changing angles, getting traffic in front, and getting shots. The 5 man stagnant umbrella with no movement is gunna get you nowhere.

 

[wickedwitch]

p.p.s: hate to say it, but the sharks got lucky to win this one. 7-2 is totally wrong. The zetterlund goal was lucky. The first celly goal was a great shot but should have been a pretty routine save. Even Liljgren's goal likely should have been stopped. I'll take it, but its not like the sharks dominated or anything.

The vast majority of 7-2 games involve some luck at the NHL level. But the Sharks still had to capitalize on that luck.

 

[Tw1ster]

Smith shows momentary flashes of competence, but little else. he took forever to get his shot off point blank and got it blocked. He is very soft on the puck and loses most every puck battle. On the forecheck, his feet frequently stop moving, he starts reaching and hoping, and gets outskated up the ice. He continues to show slight improvements and seems to be getting closer to NHL ready, but his teams worst -12, just 3 EV points all year... hes just not there yet.

The difference between him and celebrini is remarkable. When Celly gets the puck inside his own zone, his feet just start chugging, head up the whole way, hands of gold... Obviously, he is prone to a bad turnover here and there and has some learning to do to complete his game, but at 18 its unreal to watch. He is dangerous with the puck and his shot is superb. I wonder if he really ends up being a generational talent in time, because he has the intangibles (the heart, the personality, work ethic, attitude) to be the best player in the NHL eventually.

I still think smith is better off in the minors, but of course, that won't happen.

p.s.: Walman is an all star. Like, no joke. This guy is All-star caliber. I cant believe Detroit actually gave a 2nd rounder to get rid of him. WTF??!! He could be a bona fide #1 D. I hope the sharks extend him this summer. Hats off to Grier on this one.

p.p.s: hate to say it, but the sharks got lucky to win this one. 7-2 is totally wrong. The zetterlund goal was lucky. The first celly goal was a great shot but should have been a pretty routine save. Even Liljgren's goal likely should have been stopped. I'll take it, but its not like the sharks dominated or anything.

p.p.p.s: Sharks PP needs to MOVE, SHOOT, and CRASH THE NET. The Wennberg goal was exactly right formula. Before Celly scored, I couldnt beleive my eyes watching the sharks killing their own 5 on 3, throwing the puck meaninglessly around the perimeter until they fumble. They need a killer instinct. Move your feet, start circling, dropping, changing angles, getting traffic in front, and getting shots. The 5 man stagnant umbrella with no movement is gunna get you nowhere.

I always look forward to your routine essay after every game to say how you think Smith should be in the minors and you didn’t disappoint. The shot that took him forever to get off was a bouncer that he had to settle, even the best have to dust it off and settle it once in awhile. It’s been stated by Grier himself that he’s up for the year so year so you should probably get used to it. He’s probably not up to NHL speed yet but you can’t deny he’s night and day a different player than he was the first 10 games of the season which I think in a development year is exactly what they want. He doesn’t need to be a star yet but he’s shown growth even in a short amount of time

Also to say the Sharks were lucky to win a game that they won 7-2 is quite the take. If they had won by a goal sure but it was a rout

 

[hotcabbagesoup]

I always look forward to your routine essay after every game to say how you think Smith should be in the minors and you didn’t disappoint. The shot that took him forever to get off was a bouncer that he had to settle, even the best have to dust it off and settle it once in awhile. It’s been stated by Grier himself that he’s up for the year so year so you should probably get used to it. He’s probably not up to NHL speed yet but you can’t deny he’s night and day a different player than he was the first 10 games of the season which I think in a development year is exactly what they want. He doesn’t need to be a star yet but he’s shown growth even in a short amount of time

Also to say the Sharks were lucky to win a game that they won 7-2 is quite the take. If they had won by a goal sure but it was a rout

Although I agree with sampler, when I was reading his post I waiting for it.
I was thinking 'don't say it, don't you dare say it' and he ends up mentioning that Smith should go to the AHL in its own separate paragraph. For emphasis I think. I agree with him, but it made me laugh haha

 

[Tw1ster]

Although I agree with sampler, when I was reading his post I waiting for it.
I was thinking 'don't say it, don't you dare say it' and he ends up mentioning that Smith should go to the AHL in its own separate paragraph. For emphasis I think. I agree with him, but it made me laugh haha

I’m not necessarily disagreeing either but it’s been stated he’s here for the year so we should probably accept it. Pair that with the fact he’s showing flashes and is getting more comfortable, I really don’t see the issue with him being up here.

 

[OrrNumber4]

Yes, first five-goal-game from a single player. Can anyone guess who has the first four-goal game? Hint: player was not born in North America.

The answer, for the millions of you waiting with bated breath:

Spoiler

Owen Nolan

 

[PattyLafontaine]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I am perplexed as to why Celebrini did not get a secondary assist on the Sharks 6th goal.

He won the faceoff cleanly back to Walman who shot and it was tipped by Wennberg into the net.

 

[JoeThorntonsRooster]

The answer, for the millions of you waiting with bated breath...Owen Nolan.

Not born in NA threw me off, I forgot he wasn’t born in Canada. I had a vague memory of the plaque at the tank (in the club) for his 4 goal game, (against the Ducks in 1999?), but I figured some European must have done it before him.

 

[sampler]

Although I agree with sampler, when I was reading his post I waiting for it.
I was thinking 'don't say it, don't you dare say it' and he ends up mentioning that Smith should go to the AHL in its own separate paragraph. For emphasis I think. I agree with him, but it made me laugh haha

Hahaha, that’s actually kinda half why I wrote that line … for the record, I totally accept he’s up here for the year. And also for the record he has improved since the beginning, and I actually wrote that too.

I can see a future solid top 6 player in smith. Really kinda always have. He has nice vision and passing skills. His shot has potential if he can get a touch more accurate and quick. His hockey sense is solid… Just so few 19 year olds can jump from a development league to the nhl. Celebrini is really a profoundly different and unique animal, and mitchkov came from the khl, which is kinda equivalent to the ahl.

I’m glad he got a few points and I hope he can find his confidence. Warsofsky needs to get his effort level up though. His legs cannot stop moving on a forecheck or backcheck and his battle level has to rise. Small details for sure, but you can see how much more effort felt puts out there nightly.

One game at a time for him…

 

[OrrNumber4]

Not born in NA threw me off, I forgot he wasn’t born in Canada.

That was the point! Same with the hint about Marleau having formerly been an assistant captain.

I had a vague memory of the plaque at the tank (in the club) for his 4 goal game, (against the Ducks in 1999?), but I figured some European must have done it before him.

Ducks in 1996 season. He went 4+1. Doug Bodger had 4 assists, also a first for a Sharks's dman.

You might have gotten the year wrong on the plaque, but Nolan also had a six-point game against Chicago in 1999, a feat that hasn't yet been matched.

 

[TheBeard]

Not born in NA threw me off, I forgot he wasn’t born in Canada. I had a vague memory of the plaque at the tank (in the club) for his 4 goal game, (against the Ducks in 1999?), but I figured some European must have done it before him.

Would be easier if his name was

Wen O'Nolan

 

[timorous me]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I am perplexed as to why Celebrini did not get a secondary assist on the Sharks 6th goal.

He won the faceoff cleanly back to Walman who shot and it was tipped by Wennberg into the net.

I had to rewind it a couple times during the game to re-watch because I, too, was perplexed...and then I realized it was Wennberg who won the draw that cleanly (21, not 71) and then immediately headed toward the net to deflect Walman's shot in.

Really quite an impressive all-around play by Wenny. I've been so pleased with his game this year after a bit of a slow start.