Thanks to losing records, the Sharks have
drafted fourth overall in 2023 (Will Smith), first overall in 2024 (Macklin
Celebrini), and second overall in 2025 (Michael Misa). The Sharks actually did
finish dead-last league-wide with 52 points in the 2024-2025 season, but didn't
win the draft lottery.
Now, the Sharks have begun to win so much that
it looks like projected first overall pick Gavin McKenna won’t be
available to the Sharks in the next NHL draft. Finally, at long last, the
Sharks have begun to win a lot. And it’s about time.
Macklin
Celebrini and Will Smith are absolute stars now, with sophomore Celebrini even
tied for the league lead in most as of points as of Saturday, November 8.
He’s got 24 points, as does longtime veteran Nathan Mackinnon, of the
Avalanche.
Celebrini is simply the real deal. The Sharks have
even beaten winning teams like the Devils and Jets, not to mention the Stanley
Cup-defending champ Panthers. We’ve seen solid defense, excellent
goaltending from both Yaroslav Askarov and Alex Nejelkovic, and some good
offensive play.
I’d like to see more goal-scoring and more puck
possession, but nonetheless, the Sharks are now 7-6-3 after starting out 0-4-2.
As of Sunday morning, they have more points (17) than 13 other teams. And the
playoffs, something we haven’t seen since the last decade, are becoming a
strong possibility.
Hopefully, we’ve gotten our winning Sharks
back, with a whole new cast of players. So, say it with me - "Go Sharks!"
