GDT: Game 41: Sharks vs. Lightning 7:30pm NBCSCA

Timo Time

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Some quick notes from attendance of last night's game:

- Askarov is an adventure but I'll be damned if having a goalie who is willing to play the puck helps our shit defense. A couple questionable pick retrievals from Askarov where forwards or defensemen didn't know what he'd do with the puck but I think they'll learn his style quickly

- I actually thought the rookie line was decent, with consistency they may build something there with Graf because he and Macklin are puck hounds. And on that note, WHY IS MACKLIN ALWAYS THE FIRST DEFENSEMAN BACK? It drives me insane that he is behind our baseline engaging in all the board battles and starting breakouts.

- Vlasic looked... Good?

- And finally, yes I will fanboy Celebrini probably until the end of time. But he is displaying a complete level that 18 year olds don't typically embrace. His roughing penalty was just the refs way of saying, "2 minutes for giving him the business."

- Barclay Goodrow... Man. Not enough can be said to defend why he is even in the lineup. There was a point last night he had a 2-on-1 and f***ing dumped the puck in. Just braindead hockey IQ

Overall an even game that I'm sure TBL flew in thinking they'd cakewalk the Sharks and to my surprise, the Sharks battled.
 
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karltonian

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Thank you for using bsky!

I thought Mack played decently as well, but maybe his attempts to get Smith on the board instead of taking the shot hurt him more than I thought.
I wish the sharks would use it

Smith continues to be unable to really get it done at the NHL level, Macklin made some incredible plays to get him the puck and he just didn't get the next step off. Last night it neutered that line.
 
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CHALUPA

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Smith continues to be unable to really get it done at the NHL level, Macklin made some incredible plays to her him the puck and he just didn't get the next step off. Last night it neutered that line.

Maybe this is a hot take, but I think it was great. Yeah, Will flubbed shots, but he and Mack have chemistry. For once it felt like Celebrini had a linemate who was able to anticipate what he was going to do. The finishing will come with time for this line, imo
 

karltonian

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Maybe this is a hot take, but I think it was great. Yeah, Will flubbed shots, but he and Mack have chemistry. For once it felt like Celebrini had a linemate who was able to anticipate what he was going to do. The finishing will come with time for this line, imo
I think the reason it looks so egregious is that they do make connections and it dies with Smith. Yes it should improve, would be very disappointing if it doesn't.
 

Jargon

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I think Smith does great things with the puck and when he and Celebrini are in the offensive zone they do things no one else can together. You can see his brain for the game is elite, and so is his playmaking.

The issue remains that he’s just a little too slow and a little weak. He’s not quick enough on pucks and he often doesn’t win his battles (stark difference to Celebrini). He’ll learn it all and when he does he’s going to be VERY good but right now he just has to keep powering through.

I hope he’s watching Granlund and that Granlund is mentoring him. If he can add Granny’s motor and drive, he’s going to be one hell of a player.
 

Star Platinum

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I think Smith does great things with the puck and when he and Celebrini are in the offensive zone they do things no one else can together. You can see his brain for the game is elite, and so is his playmaking.

The issue remains that he’s just a little too slow and a little weak. He’s not quick enough on pucks and he often doesn’t win his battles (stark difference to Celebrini). He’ll learn it all and when he does he’s going to be VERY good but right now he just has to keep powering through.

I hope he’s watching Granlund and that Granlund is mentoring him. If he can add Granny’s motor and drive, he’s going to be one hell of a player.
Speaking of Granlund, Granlund looked good again for the first time in a long time. Must have been having Kostin on his wing that inspired him. :sarcasm:
 

gaucholoco3

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I think Smith does great things with the puck and when he and Celebrini are in the offensive zone they do things no one else can together. You can see his brain for the game is elite, and so is his playmaking.

The issue remains that he’s just a little too slow and a little weak. He’s not quick enough on pucks and he often doesn’t win his battles (stark difference to Celebrini). He’ll learn it all and when he does he’s going to be VERY good but right now he just has to keep powering through.

I hope he’s watching Granlund and that Granlund is mentoring him. If he can add Granny’s motor and drive, he’s going to be one hell of a player.
Smith has more ES Pts/60 than Bedard, Fantilli, and Carlsson this season. All of those players had a season to adjust to the NHL.

Smith is doing fine!
 

YUPPY 2 7 10 11

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Smith has more ES Pts/60 than Bedard, Fantilli, and Carlsson this season. All of those players had a season to adjust to the NHL.

Smith is doing fine!
Smith in the offseason needs to hit the weight room. His shots need a little bit more "Oomph" on it. Also, those stretch cross-the-ice passes to Celebrini need timing and awareness of the opposite D stealing them. The last one almost turned into a goal for Tampa.
 
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hohosaregood

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I think Smith does great things with the puck and when he and Celebrini are in the offensive zone they do things no one else can together. You can see his brain for the game is elite, and so is his playmaking.

The issue remains that he’s just a little too slow and a little weak. He’s not quick enough on pucks and he often doesn’t win his battles (stark difference to Celebrini). He’ll learn it all and when he does he’s going to be VERY good but right now he just has to keep powering through.

I hope he’s watching Granlund and that Granlund is mentoring him. If he can add Granny’s motor and drive, he’s going to be one hell of a player.
On the plus side, he is much further along than where he was in October. The way he plays off the puck is much better in terms of moving his legs with anticipation. But he doesn't have a lot of burst yet (or top end speed) so it doesn't really seem like he's skating very hard.
 

Jargon

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On the plus side, he is much further along than where he was in October. The way he plays off the puck is much better in terms of moving his legs with anticipation. But he doesn't have a lot of burst yet (or top end speed) so it doesn't really seem like he's skating very hard.

Totally agree. I’m actually really impressed with his growth and to me it points to a very promising future. He’s got moments of brilliance and I think he’s going to be a really fun player.
 

pappaf2

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Smith in the off season needs to hit the weight room. His shots need a little bit more "Oomph" on it. Also, those stretch cross-the-ice passes to Celebrini need timing and awareness of the opposite D stealing them. The last one almost turned into a goal for Tampa.
So smith needs to train with Zetterlund in the offseason.
 
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Hangemhigh

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Smith in the off season needs to hit the weight room. His shots need a little bit more "Oomph" on it. Also, those stretch cross-the-ice passes to Celebrini need timing and awareness of the opposite D stealing them. The last one almost turned into a goal for Tampa.
Pretty much all the young players on the Sharks are too skinny/not developed enough. They all need extra strength and weight.
 
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NWSharkie

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I think Smith does great things with the puck and when he and Celebrini are in the offensive zone they do things no one else can together. You can see his brain for the game is elite, and so is his playmaking.

The issue remains that he’s just a little too slow and a little weak. He’s not quick enough on pucks and he often doesn’t win his battles (stark difference to Celebrini). He’ll learn it all and when he does he’s going to be VERY good but right now he just has to keep powering through.

I hope he’s watching Granlund and that Granlund is mentoring him. If he can add Granny’s motor and drive, he’s going to be one hell of a player.
I don't mean this as a pejorative, but Smith looks like a teenager on NHL ice where Celebrini just doesn't. Like, with the progress Smith has made on his game, he'd be wrecking shop in the WJC right now, but he's a hair slow against NHL-quality competition so he's not getting shots off or passes through.

He's playing smart positionally and looking promising with Mack, he just needs to think that one step further so he's executing with the puck rather than making decisions once he gets it. It just looks bad because Celebrini is already playing like he's in his mid-20s
 

DG93

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I don't mean this as a pejorative, but Smith looks like a teenager on NHL ice where Celebrini just doesn't. Like, with the progress Smith has made on his game, he'd be wrecking shop in the WJC right now, but he's a hair slow against NHL-quality competition so he's not getting shots off or passes through.

He's playing smart positionally and looking promising with Mack, he just needs to think that one step further so he's executing with the puck rather than making decisions once he gets it. It just looks bad because Celebrini is already playing like he's in his mid-20s
Totally agree with this. With a full offseason to work on his game, I'm optimistic that Smith will take that next step next year. It's a bit concerning that Fantilli/Carlsson kind of haven't, but hopefully Will does.
 

sampler

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Smith will be very good. His vision and playmaking are fun to watch. He has star potential and it’s no fluke he led the ncaa in scoring, as a freshman.

But he’s not there yet. He definitely needs 10 pounds of muscle so he can play along the boards. He loses every battle so he’s gunna have to get stronger on the puck. He also needs to learn the finer points of positional play, when to dump in vs make a pass, how to avoid turnovers that feed transition, when to shoot and how to improve his shot so it doesn’t go wide three quarters of the time. He has much to work on. This will be a huge summer of training for him and I would not be surprised to him emerge as a star next season.

The talent is in there. It’s just not nhl ready just yet…

Ps: yes to zetterlund training. His game took off when he became a physical freight train. If smith become half a strong, his puck skills will make him a very good player. Take his vision and creativity and couple it with s guy who can battle physically and gets a step faster and its game on….
 

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