San Jose Hockey Now Podcast #32: How Can Sharks Be Competitive in 2-3 Years?

San Jose Hockey Now Podcast

What’s a realistic path for the San Jose Sharks to be competitive by 2025-26 or 2026-27 (54:40)?

We’re asking this question because that seems to be GM Mike Grier’s hope.

“In two or three years, hopefully we can be a team that is pushing for the playoffs, if not hopefully grabbing a spot,” he said in his media availability on Thursday.

https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-mike-grier-all-star-availability/

Before we get to that discussion, Keegan and Sheng talk about the San Jose Sharks’ recent play, including signs of life from William Eklund. (03:00)

What did Sheng think of Shakir Mukhamadullin’s mixed bag NHL debut? (12:08)

Sheng has a lot of thoughts about the new Cali Fin jersey, including the controversial usage of the Fin logo as the primary crest. (21:25)

We also touched on assorted Sharks' injuries and other thoughts about Grier’s availability. (37:05)

So what has to happen for the San Jose Sharks to be in the playoff discussion in a couple years? (54:40)

Before we get into that, why might 2025-26 be the target season to be competitive? (55:25)

We break down what has to go right for each position to be competitive in two to three years. (1:02:50)

Who might the goalie of the 2025-26 Sharks be? Why is Sheng not too worried about this position? (1:03:05)

The Sharks don’t have a future No. 1 defenseman yet. Why might quality depth be the workaround? Could Mario Ferraro, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Henry Thrun be the start of a credible top-four? And where does the Noah Hanifin trade rumor fit in? (1:07:05)

If the Sharks need to look toward the 2024 Draft to find their No. 1 defenseman of the future, who does Keegan like best in a deep pool of defensive prospects? (1:11:25)

Also, why doesn’t it make sense to buy out Marc-Edouard Vlasic, even in the summer of 2025? (1:17:00)

The San Jose Sharks are also lacking a 1C of the future. Obviously, if the Jonathan Toews comp is accurate, Macklin Celebrini could be the answer here. (1:21:52)

How about Tomas Hertl as your 2C and Logan Couture as your 3C? And where could Will Smith, William Eklund, and Fabian Zetterlund fit in up the middle or along the wing? (1:22:40)

What does this forward group lack and how could the 2025 free agency class possibly provide an answer? (1:29:30)

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