Yo teach, I feel like this is the type of loss we want to have. Not getting blown out against a better opponent on the road is a massive improvement. We're gonna lose games, heck we kinda want to lose games, but if we can lose more like this and less like the Pittsburgh/Vancouver fiascoes last year, this team is gonna be a lot more fun to watch. Keep it up!
Hey Professor, This was a game again where we see the difference between the rebuilding Sharks vs one of the top 4 teams in the league this year in the Rangers who you pointed out did win the Presidents trophy last season. So what? The Rangers are a very strong team with Stanley Cup aspirations this season that are legitimate. Great teams like the Rangers (and like the Sharks in the past) do not feature a lot of turnover. Continuity is the standard of great teams. Continuity in the coaching staff, front office and roster. Continuity breeds chemistry, and features teams that are trying to integrate a few new players not more than half a roster. Great teams typically don't feature a lot of inexperienced players or rookies and when they do they are usually well ready for the NHL which makes integration into the team much easier(think players like a young Couture or a rookie Devon Setaguchi). Great teams also feature a 5th gear. Rebuilding teams typically don't have a 5th gear yet. In this game we saw the best the Sharks could manage so far in the first half of the first period where they caught a Ranger's team that expected to have an easy time with a not very good team in San Jose. Instead they got punched in the stomach hard for the first 5 or so minutes and the Rangers did not find their footing until the 2nd period. Now fully awakened to the reality that the Sharks were prepared to fight the Rangers came out in 5th gear and rolled over us as any good team this year is going to do when they shift into high gear. We just can't match that yet. I suspect that we will not have a 5th gear for this whole year because most of us Sharks fans are fully anticipating more turnover to the lineup. If the Sharks are able to trade 3-4 players at the or near the deadline it is likely to cause a lot of havoc with the limited chemistry we have at that time thus undermining our ability to play fast and to have chemistry in the lines and pairs. I think this is just the reality of our circumstances Professor. In the mean time the current roster has shown us its serious limitations. If we shift Granlund to the top line we have a solid first line and that's pretty much it. If we shift Granlund to center the 2nd line and reform the Lund Line (I am in favor of this option) we have a solid 2nd line that can compete but, again little else. Why? Because we lack a viable additional top 6 forward to slot into the top or 2nd line. This version of the Sharks features a lot of bottom 6 NHL forwards who are all viable in a 3rd or probably more appropriate 4th line role. When we put those forwards together in a 4th line role with each other they perform fairly well. The 4th and 3rd lines are also heavily affected by lack of continuity. We keep shifting forwards around in an attempt to see if we can find the best combinations for all 4 lines. Sometimes I wonder if Mike Grier (a bottom 6 forward for most of his career) feels like he could have been more than a bottom 6 forward if he had just been given the chance and time to mesh into that role? Pure speculation on my part here. Regardless we do have viable NHL forwards on this team just not enough top 6 talent though we are all hopeful that is soon to be rectified one way or another. As far as Tyler Tafoli is concerned there is a reason he has been deemed expendable to all the many teams he has played for (What is it now? Something like 6 teams?). If Tafoli was a solid two way winger who can net 30 goals that would make him amongst the most prized forwards in the league. He is not that. He has issues with skating (a la Pavelski without Pav's incredible hockey IQ) and while he is a very experienced NHL players who understands the game well now and knows where to be often he is unable to be where he needs to be in time to make either a defensive play or an offensive play. When he is in position he can usually perform pretty well. Playing for a team like San Jose that features a lack of cohesion between lines, pairs and systems well...I think you see the problems pretty well. As for the first line woes minus Granlund I am not sure we have ANY great options. Everyone who has been given a shot is either not ready for the NHL top 6 or has serious limitations in their NHL game like Goodrow or Delandria. I think Mike Grier is hoping one of these veteran bottom 6 forwards will find a home and thrive in the top 6 when finally given the chance to do so. So far we all can see that we don't have that guy on this roster so far. Any player the Sharks currently have the rights to has serious issues in terms of slotting into the top 6. The only one who might be able to do that given the limited body of work we have seen from the players currently in our system is probably Bordelo and we know that so far Bordelo has not shown the type of game that is ideally suited to that role but, perhaps this is his chance when he is ready and recovered from his preseason injury? This does offer an opportunity Professor. Given our knowledge of what the Sharks currently have under contract who would you prefer to be that 6th top 6 forward man? Its a sticky problem. Cheers Professor. I hope you are well man and enjoying your day. Pete Clovis, CA
I think you’re right about that, the Sharks were hopeful Smith could be that guy, but he’s not quite there yet. Bordeleau based on last year maybe, but as you said he may still need time to get up to speed (though he did score 2 goals last game for the Cuda). The Grier conspiracy there is interesting haha, but I think the Sharks would rather have a semi-responsible defensive player with 0 offense than a semi-offensive player who struggles defensively.
@@professorhockey totally agree Professor. Celebrini is still learning the league and how to play a full 200 foot game which he does possess just not quite fully ready for NHL competition every shift. When Celebrini has a bit more experience and has his feet fully under him he is going to be a great NHLer baring the unforeseen. Tafoli knows what to do defensively but, often is not able to be where he needs to be in time to make a play. Thus the need to go for a viable defender on the top line. I mean...if we had an offensively gifted player with defensive issues but, could consistently produce offense I think the Sharks would live with that right now but, we don't so given inconsistent offense vs solid defender it really is not a choice there.
Ive said it before but Ill keep saying it, once this team can be consistent for a full 60 minutes they will actually be a very respectable team. Toffoli was brought in to form chemistry with Celebrini, who has been obviously injured until recently. But I feel compared to most of the other Sharks, the level of effort doesn’t seem to be there with Toffoli from night to night. Even Goodrow, who is far less talented, gives a good effort each night. But I do think once Celebrini and Toffoli begin to click, we will see a whole different Toffoli.
Agree with toffoli. I was worried about him when we signed him - he thrives as the 5th best forward on a good team. Now he needs to be the first or second best forward. Will be interesting to see how he develops.
I love the Lund line, I really wonder what San Jose does with Granlund, I imagine he will be sold. I wonder what center will step between Eklund and Zetterlund, Smith?
for that 20 min onslaught by the rangers the sharks really felt like a goalie without a team. Similar to the past 2-3 seasons. Do you think adding a top 6 LW and a defensive anchor, could make the sharks a bubble playoff contender? It's not what I want out of them this season. Going into next season I could see a bubble appearance for this young team. Will there be a Prof Cuda in the coming future? Would love to hear what you think of their season thus far. currently 8-4 and are very high scoring.
Not too upset about the outcome here. Did a good job being competitive for good chunks of this game with an east coast juggernaut which is what we kind of wanted this season. My two major issues with tonight are 1. Tyler Toffoli needs to be taken off the first line. I don’t know if it’s a compete issue or if he’s lost a step but he looks sloooww out there. Just way too casual for a first liner 2. Goodrow on the top line. He did alright tonight but that’s just not the move. Really liked seeing Smith with Celebrini and hoping we see more of that for sure. If the sharks could play the whole game the way they played the first period this game easily could have gone to OT. They just really need to work on the back check and clearing the zone under pressure that’s our biggest issue for sure. Other than that not too bad but would like to see a win against a weak pens team.
The problem is that if the Sharks keep the Lund line together, they don’t really have someone to replace Toffoli there if we assume Smith replaces Goodrow.
@ Yeah that’s true. Don’t really want to disturb the sharks most consistent line at this point. I still think it would be worth it to try Smith on the top line. He’s got a good shot so maybe Toffoli can hang around and clean up some rebounds.
I’d say Ferraro is the frustrating player over toffoli for me this season. He is a pretty good penalty killer still which makes sense since he plays every shift like it’s a penalty kill, but 5 on 5 is becoming unwatchable
No one would take that trade no one would pay him 6 mil. That contract is very strange to me, but maybe they hope as the sharks get better he could be a depth guy in a couple years? I don't know
Lol toffoli has been here less than 20 games. He has been totally fine, we do not have better options. As much as I like goose he is arguably the most ready on the baracuda and he did not produce, even when he was in the top 6.
![⭐️( ลอยกระทง 2024 ) Ver. แดนซ์ Remix BY [ ดีเจกิต รีมิกซ์ ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rMWOLhgXUHc/mqdefault.jpg)
The way they came out flying was encouraging, but man that second period :(
I'm just happy we got to see smith and celebrini on the same line for a 5v5 shift.
Best analysis!
Yo teach,
I feel like this is the type of loss we want to have. Not getting blown out against a better opponent on the road is a massive improvement. We're gonna lose games, heck we kinda want to lose games, but if we can lose more like this and less like the Pittsburgh/Vancouver fiascoes last year, this team is gonna be a lot more fun to watch.
Keep it up!
Yup, like I said, can’t be too disappointed with this game all things considered.
Hey Professor,
This was a game again where we see the difference between the rebuilding Sharks vs one of the top 4 teams in the league this year in the Rangers who you pointed out did win the Presidents trophy last season. So what? The Rangers are a very strong team with Stanley Cup aspirations this season that are legitimate. Great teams like the Rangers (and like the Sharks in the past) do not feature a lot of turnover. Continuity is the standard of great teams. Continuity in the coaching staff, front office and roster. Continuity breeds chemistry, and features teams that are trying to integrate a few new players not more than half a roster. Great teams typically don't feature a lot of inexperienced players or rookies and when they do they are usually well ready for the NHL which makes integration into the team much easier(think players like a young Couture or a rookie Devon Setaguchi). Great teams also feature a 5th gear. Rebuilding teams typically don't have a 5th gear yet.
In this game we saw the best the Sharks could manage so far in the first half of the first period where they caught a Ranger's team that expected to have an easy time with a not very good team in San Jose. Instead they got punched in the stomach hard for the first 5 or so minutes and the Rangers did not find their footing until the 2nd period. Now fully awakened to the reality that the Sharks were prepared to fight the Rangers came out in 5th gear and rolled over us as any good team this year is going to do when they shift into high gear. We just can't match that yet.
I suspect that we will not have a 5th gear for this whole year because most of us Sharks fans are fully anticipating more turnover to the lineup. If the Sharks are able to trade 3-4 players at the or near the deadline it is likely to cause a lot of havoc with the limited chemistry we have at that time thus undermining our ability to play fast and to have chemistry in the lines and pairs. I think this is just the reality of our circumstances Professor.
In the mean time the current roster has shown us its serious limitations. If we shift Granlund to the top line we have a solid first line and that's pretty much it. If we shift Granlund to center the 2nd line and reform the Lund Line (I am in favor of this option) we have a solid 2nd line that can compete but, again little else. Why?
Because we lack a viable additional top 6 forward to slot into the top or 2nd line. This version of the Sharks features a lot of bottom 6 NHL forwards who are all viable in a 3rd or probably more appropriate 4th line role. When we put those forwards together in a 4th line role with each other they perform fairly well. The 4th and 3rd lines are also heavily affected by lack of continuity. We keep shifting forwards around in an attempt to see if we can find the best combinations for all 4 lines.
Sometimes I wonder if Mike Grier (a bottom 6 forward for most of his career) feels like he could have been more than a bottom 6 forward if he had just been given the chance and time to mesh into that role? Pure speculation on my part here. Regardless we do have viable NHL forwards on this team just not enough top 6 talent though we are all hopeful that is soon to be rectified one way or another.
As far as Tyler Tafoli is concerned there is a reason he has been deemed expendable to all the many teams he has played for (What is it now? Something like 6 teams?). If Tafoli was a solid two way winger who can net 30 goals that would make him amongst the most prized forwards in the league. He is not that. He has issues with skating (a la Pavelski without Pav's incredible hockey IQ) and while he is a very experienced NHL players who understands the game well now and knows where to be often he is unable to be where he needs to be in time to make either a defensive play or an offensive play. When he is in position he can usually perform pretty well. Playing for a team like San Jose that features a lack of cohesion between lines, pairs and systems well...I think you see the problems pretty well.
As for the first line woes minus Granlund I am not sure we have ANY great options. Everyone who has been given a shot is either not ready for the NHL top 6 or has serious limitations in their NHL game like Goodrow or Delandria. I think Mike Grier is hoping one of these veteran bottom 6 forwards will find a home and thrive in the top 6 when finally given the chance to do so. So far we all can see that we don't have that guy on this roster so far.
Any player the Sharks currently have the rights to has serious issues in terms of slotting into the top 6. The only one who might be able to do that given the limited body of work we have seen from the players currently in our system is probably Bordelo and we know that so far Bordelo has not shown the type of game that is ideally suited to that role but, perhaps this is his chance when he is ready and recovered from his preseason injury?
This does offer an opportunity Professor. Given our knowledge of what the Sharks currently have under contract who would you prefer to be that 6th top 6 forward man? Its a sticky problem.
Cheers Professor. I hope you are well man and enjoying your day.
Pete
Clovis, CA
I think you’re right about that, the Sharks were hopeful Smith could be that guy, but he’s not quite there yet. Bordeleau based on last year maybe, but as you said he may still need time to get up to speed (though he did score 2 goals last game for the Cuda). The Grier conspiracy there is interesting haha, but I think the Sharks would rather have a semi-responsible defensive player with 0 offense than a semi-offensive player who struggles defensively.
@@professorhockey totally agree Professor. Celebrini is still learning the league and how to play a full 200 foot game which he does possess just not quite fully ready for NHL competition every shift. When Celebrini has a bit more experience and has his feet fully under him he is going to be a great NHLer baring the unforeseen. Tafoli knows what to do defensively but, often is not able to be where he needs to be in time to make a play. Thus the need to go for a viable defender on the top line. I mean...if we had an offensively gifted player with defensive issues but, could consistently produce offense I think the Sharks would live with that right now but, we don't so given inconsistent offense vs solid defender it really is not a choice there.
"When it comes to Alex Wennberg. He's Alex Wennberg." 😂 I think you summed up his career in that statement, somehow.
One of the most “mid” players the Sharks have had in a while
Waiting for the day when Bystedt recovers, returns to play well in the AHL, then gets recalled to the NHL in the next few months.
Ive said it before but Ill keep saying it, once this team can be consistent for a full 60 minutes they will actually be a very respectable team. Toffoli was brought in to form chemistry with Celebrini, who has been obviously injured until recently. But I feel compared to most of the other Sharks, the level of effort doesn’t seem to be there with Toffoli from night to night. Even Goodrow, who is far less talented, gives a good effort each night. But I do think once Celebrini and Toffoli begin to click, we will see a whole different Toffoli.
Agree with toffoli. I was worried about him when we signed him - he thrives as the 5th best forward on a good team. Now he needs to be the first or second best forward. Will be interesting to see how he develops.
I love the Lund line, I really wonder what San Jose does with Granlund, I imagine he will be sold. I wonder what center will step between Eklund and Zetterlund, Smith?
They’re definitely hoping Smith is ready for that, otherwise they could always default to Wennberg
From what I have been seeing, Matt Nieto expects to make his Season Debut against the Sharks on Sat! (He is gonna score)
for that 20 min onslaught by the rangers the sharks really felt like a goalie without a team. Similar to the past 2-3 seasons.
Do you think adding a top 6 LW and a defensive anchor, could make the sharks a bubble playoff contender? It's not what I want out of them this season. Going into next season I could see a bubble appearance for this young team.
Will there be a Prof Cuda in the coming future? Would love to hear what you think of their season thus far. currently 8-4 and are very high scoring.
I have tuned into a couple of Barracuda games this season, I’ll have a prospect update in the next few weeks discussing a bunch of the guys there.
Not too upset about the outcome here. Did a good job being competitive for good chunks of this game with an east coast juggernaut which is what we kind of wanted this season.
My two major issues with tonight are
1. Tyler Toffoli needs to be taken off the first line. I don’t know if it’s a compete issue or if he’s lost a step but he looks sloooww out there. Just way too casual for a first liner
2. Goodrow on the top line. He did alright tonight but that’s just not the move.
Really liked seeing Smith with Celebrini and hoping we see more of that for sure. If the sharks could play the whole game the way they played the first period this game easily could have gone to OT. They just really need to work on the back check and clearing the zone under pressure that’s our biggest issue for sure. Other than that not too bad but would like to see a win against a weak pens team.
The problem is that if the Sharks keep the Lund line together, they don’t really have someone to replace Toffoli there if we assume Smith replaces Goodrow.
@ Yeah that’s true. Don’t really want to disturb the sharks most consistent line at this point. I still think it would be worth it to try Smith on the top line. He’s got a good shot so maybe Toffoli can hang around and clean up some rebounds.
5-10-3 not great but future is bright
Good as usual Professor!
5-3-1 in the last 9, much better than 0-7-2 in the first 9
Need to beat karlsson tomorrow
I’d say Ferraro is the frustrating player over toffoli for me this season. He is a pretty good penalty killer still which makes sense since he plays every shift like it’s a penalty kill, but 5 on 5 is becoming unwatchable
I can totally see that, it’s just I expect Ferraro to be pretty bad at this point, which I didn’t expect from Toffoli.
Random observation but the ice tonight looked bad tons of players catching edges and just slipping by both teams
It’s certainly possible, but I prefer thinking that Rutta just kinda falls down randomly haha
I do love me some Rutta slander
I don't understand why Toffoli is still around. Trade him and make space for someone who is part of the future.
He has a no trade clause til 2026
No one would take that trade no one would pay him 6 mil. That contract is very strange to me, but maybe they hope as the sharks get better he could be a depth guy in a couple years? I don't know
Lol toffoli has been here less than 20 games. He has been totally fine, we do not have better options. As much as I like goose he is arguably the most ready on the baracuda and he did not produce, even when he was in the top 6.