Last Word on Hockey’s Puck Drop Previews are back for the 2024-25 season! As the regular season approaches, we at Last Word will preview each team’s current outlook and stories to watch for the upcoming year. We’ll also do our best to project how things will go for each team throughout the campaign. Today, we’re previewing the 2024-25 edition of the San Jose Sharks.
The 2024-25 San Jose Sharks
Looking Back to the 2023-24 Season
Make no mistake about it: the 2023-24 season was one to forget for the Sharks. The team finished with 19 wins and 47 points, scored just 2.20 goals per game and surrendered 3.98. San Jose also parted ways with some players at the trade deadline, including Tomas Hertl, Anthony Duclair and Kaapo Kahkonen. Despite all of the struggles, there were still a few bright spots during the year that gave Sharks fans hope for the future. Namely, William Eklund had a fantastic rookie year with 45 points, Fabian Zetterlund showed his goal-scoring prowess and Mikael Granlund had one of the best statistical seasons of his career. These players, along with some of their off-season additions, can provide a spark this season.
The 2023-24 Off-Season
There is an argument to be made that the Sharks had the best off-season in the NHL. The biggest success for San Jose came in the draft. With their low point total, they won the draft lottery and landed Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. In addition, GM Mike Grier used the first-round pick that was acquired in the Erik Karlsson trade to select defenceman Sam Dickinson. Grier also utilized the cap space to sign veteran pieces to mentor the young players.
The biggest signing for San Jose was Tyler Toffoli, who signed a four-year deal. Alexander Wennberg also signed a free-agent deal, while Ty Dellandrea and Carl Grundstrom re-signed for two years after San Jose traded for them. To account for the struggles in goal, Grier went out and acquired one of the best goaltending prospects in recent memory.
The Sharks traded for Yaroslav Askarov and promptly signed him to a two-year contract extension. This gave San Jose an elite prospect at every position group and gives fans hope that the team can build to a Stanley Cup. Grier and the Sharks had a busy off-season that put the foundations of the team in place.
Acquired & SIGNED ✍️
We’ve signed Yaroslav Askarov to a two-year deal.
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) August 23, 2024
Projected Lineup
The Forward Lines
Eklund – Celebrini – Zetterlund
Smith – Granlund – Toffoli
Bordeleau – Wennberg – Kunin
Goodrow – Sturm – Dellandrea
Top Six
The top six forward group has a good blend of veteran experience and young talent. We’ve discussed the chemistry that Eklund and Zetterlund have, and with both coming off breakout years, they will look to provide consistency in the top six. Toffoli and Granlund bring veteran experience to the team, along with valuable skill sets. Toffoli is a bonafide goal scorer, with two 30-goal seasons in the last two years, while Granlund showcases a strong playmaking ability.
Despite their youth and inexperience, Celebrini and Smith can play. Each signed their entry-level contract over the summer and is ready to make an impact in the NHL. While they may have some growing pains this year, this group looks to be a major factor in the success of the Sharks moving forward.
Bottom Six
There are a couple of interesting pieces that are likely to see extended NHL time. The Sharks acquired Ty Dellandrea in an under-the-radar deal with the Dallas Stars. He is just 25 years of age and has already played in multiple situations in the NHL. Thomas Bordeleau has not played a full NHL campaign yet in his young career, but he should find an opportunity this year. Surrounding these two young pieces, San Jose has experienced veterans in Wennberg, Kunin, Goodrow and Sturm. Each of these players is defensively responsible, so the team should find more ways to keep the puck out of the net.
The Defensive Core
Ferraro – Ceci
Walman – Rutta
Thrun – Vlasic
The Top Four
This is an area of the team that really struggled a year ago. While there are pieces in place to have more stability on the back end down the road, those players aren’t on the roster now. The Sharks traded for Cody Ceci, who brings defensive prowess to the team. San Jose acquired Jake Walman in a separate trade. In his last two seasons in Detroit, he has found his stride. He’s played just over 19 minutes in each season and can block shots. Ferraro and Rutta have been in San Jose for the past two years, and the four of them will look to improve on a unit that had a tough time keeping the puck out of the net.
The Bottom Pair
Given the circumstances, Henry Thrun had a solid year in his first full NHL campaign. The 23-year-old saw a lot of ice time and developed a knack for blocking shots. That being said, he’s still a young player with a lot to learn, which is why he’ll most likely be paired with Vlasic. His veteran presence and proven leadership ability will be key in Thrun making the most of his opportunity.
Between the Pipes
Askarov
Blackwood
Vanecek
The Nashville Predators dealt away Askarov because there wasn’t a spot in the NHL for him to be a starter. He is confident in his ability to play and will most likely find himself in a starter role with the Sharks. Assuming that Askarov is the starter, that leaves one spot for either Blackwood or Vanecek to back him up. San Jose acquired Vanecek at the trade deadline, while Blackwood was in Teal for the full 2023-24 campaign. San Jose has not indicated what the plan is in net for this season, but training camp and pre-season should give us some insight.
Player to Watch
Will Smith
The hype around Celebrini is warranted, but it doesn’t diminish the talent of Smith. He had an astonishing 71 points in 41 games as a freshman at Boston College and will look to bring that scoring touch to San Jose. He and Celebrini can create a dynamic duo down the middle that can elevate the players on the top six.
However, the area where Smith will have the biggest impact is on the power play. It was a unit that struggled in 2023-24 and looking for improvements. Smith will likely see time with Toffoli or Zetterlund, both of whom like to shoot the puck. Smith has the talent to become a dynamic playmaker this season and is the player to watch.
Prediction for the 2024-25 Sharks
This Sharks team has more talent on it than in recent years. Grier made acquisitions to make the team more competitive and exciting to watch. That being said, a lot of this talent is young. Expect there to be some growing pains along with way, mixed in with some flashes of brilliance.
Prediction: Last in the Pacific Division
Main Photo: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
