The Sharks’ second preseason game is in the books as the Sharks fell to the Ducks. Furthermore, the young Sharks impress in this matchup. We saw some more young talent, including Will Smith, get an opportunity to see the ice. Other names that saw action in this game were Filip Bystedt and Danil Gushchin, along with other veteran talent. The Sharks’ coaching staff and fanbase got a look at some more of the team’s future stars.
The Young Sharks Impress in this Game
Will Smith
Smith did not play in the opening preseason game but made his highly-anticipated debut in this one. It was an up-and-down affair, as he had moments of brilliance, but also some mistakes and moments where it wasn’t easy to find success. Smith played on a line with Barclay Goodrow and Fabian Zetterlund and, at the beginning of the game, the trio spent a lot of time in their zone. That being said, Smith was in a good defensive position and showed some high defensive zone awareness. He also had some trouble with the puck at times, as he was responsible for a couple of turnovers.
However, Smith flashed his elite offensive talent. The skating ability is already there, as he easily glided through the Anaheim defence when he had the puck and set the Sharks up in the offensive zone. Whenever Smith had the puck on his stick in open ice, the Sharks had a chance to generate a scoring chance. There’s no doubt he has the talent to play in the NHL; he just may need a few games to get adjusted.
Danil Gushchin
The next of the Young Sharks to impress is Gushchin. Gushchin had an effective night. The 22-year-old showcased his goal-scoring touch with a first-period tally and continued to pressure offensively. He spent time on the second power-play unit, which found success all night. Gushchin moved the puck around well to create chances for himself and his teammates and wasn’t afraid to filter pucks through when he had the opportunity. He also showcased his one-timer on occasion. He was moving around the ice well, though his skating will need to improve as he continues to develop. Very few players have a debut as exciting as Macklin Celebrini, but the talent that San Jose sees in Gushchin was on display.
Danil Gushchin strikes first! ?? pic.twitter.com/fhDEOwYNOu
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 25, 2024
Filip Bystedt
Bystedt had a good all-around game. He played in all situations, including on the second power play unit with Gushchin. Offensively, particularly with the man advantage, Bystedt shot the puck as often as possible. However, when a shooting lane wasn’t available, he distributed the puck effectively, including on Jack Thompson‘s second period goal. He also contributed defensively with an active stick and strong play along the boards. Bystedt also skated well and made plays at high speed. If he keeps up his two-way game, his ability to play on both ends of the ice could be a big piece of his game in the future.
The Other Major Takeaway
One of the storylines for the Sharks in the early part of the year is the goaltending. San Jose has three solid netminders and, with Askarorv all but certain to play in the NHL, the battle is between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood. Both goaltenders had the first half of their respective games. In this game, Vanecek had a solid outing. He made a few grade-A saves and managed pressure from the Ducks. He was the reason that Anaheim only lit the lamp once while he was in the net. Both guys will get more opportunities to play for the rest of the preseason, but Vanecek made an impression in this outing.
Main Photo: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
