{"id":453100,"date":"2024-10-10T13:42:12","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T17:42:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=453100"},"modified":"2024-10-10T13:42:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T17:42:12","slug":"breaking-down-the-san-jose-sharks-roster-for-the-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/10\/breaking-down-the-san-jose-sharks-roster-for-the-home-opener\/","title":{"rendered":"Insight into the San Jose Sharks 2024-25 Opening Night Roster"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/23\/puck-drop-preview-2024-25-san-jose-sharks\/\" target=\"_self\">San Jose Sharks<\/a> Roster has been finalized and shared via all social media platforms. The San Jose Sharks are gearing up to face the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/03\/2024-25-st-louis-blues-bold-predictions\/\" target=\"_self\">St. Louis Blues<\/a> on October 10th at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout the last few weeks, the Sharks coaching staff have evaluated players based on their skills and overall development on the ice. Those who were cut returned to either junior or to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/01\/san-jose-sharks-preseason-cuts-and-injuries\/\" target=\"_self\">San Jose Barracuda<\/a> to grow their skills and abilities. Some of these players were placed based on recent unexpected injuries and require time to heal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Welcome to the future \ud83e\udd88<\/p>\n<p>Our Opening Night roster is here.<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TheFutureIsTeal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TheFutureIsTeal<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SanJoseSharks\/status\/1843416394693783844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>No Backups for the Defence on the Roster<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most all rosters include a single backup forward, defenceman, and goalie in case of an injury or emergency. The Sharks have other plans. Their lineup shows that they have three extra forwards, a single backup goalie, and no one on standby for the defencemen. <\/span>Since the Sharks have a two-game homestand to start their season, they will not have to look far if they need a defenceman. Yet, it makes you wonder if they will make further adjustments or if they are confident in their lineup and their players.<\/p>\n<h3>Rookies First Season Opener in the NHL<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What we can expect is that <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5830461\/2024\/10\/09\/macklin-celebrini-debut-sharks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Macklin Celebrini<\/a> will be starting his NHL career on home ice alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/05\/09\/will-smith-scouting-report\/\" target=\"_self\">Will Smith<\/a>. Both rookies worked hard during training camp and made a show during preseason.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celebrini took a hit into the boards on October 1st playing against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/coyotes\/\" target=\"_self\">Utah Hockey Club<\/a>. Celebrini left during the second period for a lower-body injury and never returned to the game. Shortly after, the Sharks announced that Celebrini&#8217;s injury was not major and he will be playing in the home opener game this evening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Projected Line-Ups<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is projected that Will Smith will play alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/granlmi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mikael Granlund<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zettefa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Fabian Zetterlund<\/a> on the same line. Meanwhile, Celebrini will play with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/toffoty01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Toffoli<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eklunwi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Eklund<\/a>. Both rookies played on these lines during preseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alongside the rookies, we will also see the newly traded players such as <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/sharks\/player\/tyler-toffoli-8475726\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Toffoli<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/sharks\/player\/cody-ceci-8476879\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cody Ceci<\/a> take the ice. With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/c\/coutulo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Logan Couture<\/a> out, Toffoli stands in as one of the veteran players in the league where he holds a Stanley Cup win under his belt and the experience of working with multiple teams during his tenure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toffoli\u2019s skill level and understanding of the game will be a solid asset to the Sharks during this rebuild. Toffoli had 55 points (33 goals, and 32 assists) during the 2023-2024 season.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/09\/23\/what-we-learned-in-the-san-jose-sharks-first-preseason-game\/\" target=\"_self\">William Eklund<\/a> had a great 2023-2024 season on the Sharks. Eklund collected 45 points (16 goals and 29 assists). That point total had him placing as the third-highest player on the Sharks team.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, <a  href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/sharks-finalize-opening-night-roster-222338854.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Danil Gushchin<\/a> had proved himself this preseason dropping five assists against the Las Vegas Knights to come out with the win. It looks as if <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/10\/sharks-youngster-ready-to-make-jump\/\" target=\"_self\">Gushchin<\/a> will be on the fourth line alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dellaty01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ty Dellandrea<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sturmni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nico Sturm<\/a>. He will also start on the second power play line alongside Will Smith, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/eklunwi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">William Eklund<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/wennbal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alexander Wennberg<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/thrunhe01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Henry Thrun<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Blackwood Takes His Place in the Net<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting in the net, the Sharks have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/blackma01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mackenzie Blackwood<\/a>. This will be the first home opener game that Blackwood will start for the Sharks. Blackwood had a .899 save percentage during the previous season, only giving up 140 goals in 44 games played. As a backup goaltender, the Sharks have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vanecvi01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vitek Vanecek<\/a>. <\/span>Both goaltenders have been solid during the preseason. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/fantasy\/hockey\/news\/sharks-vitek-vanecek-takes-shootout-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vanecek<\/a> had a better preseason than Blackwood. Moreover, Vanecek played in two of the preseason games and gave up three goals on 54 shots.<\/p>\n<h3>The St. Louis Blues Will Not Go Easy on the Sharks<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2024\/10\/08\/an-analysis-of-the-st-louis-blues-season-opening-roster\/\" target=\"_self\">St. Louis Blues<\/a> ranked 24th during the last season with 234 goals scored. They are coming in with some leading players such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kyroujo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Kyrou<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/buchnpa01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pavel Buchnevich<\/a>, and goaltender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/binnijo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-10_hr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Binnington<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The St. Louis Blues also averaged a 9.9% shooting average last season. Meanwhile, the Sharks had an 8.7% shooting average, so, give the Blues the slight advantage.\u00a0<\/span>The Sharks should expect the Blues to come in ready to fight all three periods.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale &#8211; USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The San Jose Sharks Roster has been finalized and shared via all social media platforms. The San Jose Sharks are gearing up to face the St. Louis Blues on October 10th at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Throughout the last few weeks, the Sharks coaching staff have evaluated players based on their skills [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5328,"featured_media":452510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[25,4547,34,4548,3462],"tags":[7710,6425],"class_list":["post-453100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sharks","category-hockey","category-news","category-nhl","category-nhl-prospects","tag-macklin-celebrini","tag-san-jose-sharks-analysis"],"modified_by":"Levi Pike, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5328"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=453100"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/453100\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/452510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=453100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=453100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=453100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}