Episodes

  • Mid-Season Awards + Should Sharks Trade for Nemec? | E75

    Mid-Season Awards + Should Sharks Trade for Nemec? | E75
    Jan 22 2025

    This week on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, should the Sharks trade for Simon Nemec? (1:10:04) Plus, who are our 2024-2025 mid-season award winners? (30:48)

    But before all that, we cover some news of the past week! First, Sharks are…bad. (1:40) We cover the past few disappointing losses for the Sharks and where we think the San Jose Sharks are in comparison to last year.

    Next we cover the rise of Matthew Schaefer to #1 on both Central Scouting’s and Eliteprospects’ ranking. What could Schaefer mean to the Sharks? (07:42) Plus who is knocking on the door in the top 5?

    Keegan got to see the Sharks in Boston and was sitting behind the bench. What did he notice on the bench? What did Sheng and Keegan think about Will Smith’s statement game in Boston? (17:55)

    Alright, which players win the coveted SJHN Podcast mid-season awards? (30:48)

    We cover: MVP, Best forward and defender, Most improved, Unsung hero, Most disappointing player, Sleeper prospect, Most surprising prospect, Breakout second-half Shark, and finally as a bonus we predict a trade for the deadline.

    Finally, what do scouts think about Simon Nemec? Could he be a fit as a trade target for the Sharks? (1:10:04). We predict the cost is going to be quite high.

    Thanks all for listening, watching and subscribing!
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Massive Mailbag! Sharks' Trade Deadline Talk, Celebrini's Next Contract, Deal Eklund? | E74

    Massive Mailbag! Sharks' Trade Deadline Talk, Celebrini's Next Contract, Deal Eklund? | E74
    Jan 7 2025
    Massive mailbag time! The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast takes on all your questions…four hours worth! Beast asked: Do the San Jose Sharks regret signing Sam Dickinson so early? Because if they had waited for longer, he could be NCAA-eligible next year. (1:46) Grand Nagus Shark asked: Could the Sharks loan CHL prospects like Quentin Musty to European pro leagues? Chris asked: What does the future hold for Bordeleau and Gushchin? Scott Z asked: “Any chance one or both of Macklin Celebrini or Will Smith gets sent to the Barracuda after the NHL season?” (20:40) Jan “Yon” asked: Could Kunin or Goodrow get traded? Nick Valderrama asked: What would your asking price be at the Deadline for Granlund, Jake Walman, Cody Ceci, Mario Ferraro (42:35) or Nico Sturm? Also, which current/retired Sharks player would you most want to ADD NEXT to Keegan on the pod? (55:16) splash114 asked: When do the Sharks move on from Jan Rutta? Embrace_the_rebuild asked: What is your prediction for Kostin, Zetterlund, Kovalenko, and Mukhamadullin? Fin Coe asked: “Two areas where Mike Grier’s team seem to have excelled so far are talent evaluation and goaltending development; are there any other areas that they seem particularly stronger or weaker on?” (1:11:05) “Also, who in the bottom-six deserves to still be playing here after the Trade Deadline? After the season ends?” Zeke asked: “Which younger players do you think it’s time for the San Jose Sharks to cut bait with sometime this season or off-season?” (1:25:55) FaultySynapse asked: “Who would be some free agents the organization should target this off-season? One unlikely dream scenario pick and one realistic possibility?” Scott Stephens asked if the Sharks will be looking at a big-name free-agent D. Douglas Fowler asked: “How long do we control Celebrini and Smith, and when do you foresee a long-term contract happening?” Also, when do we project Dickinson to make the NHL? (1:45:35) Bob Horenstein asked: “You know a lot about hockey and details. What’s your background?” (1:47:42) Ricky W asked: “Do you think Mike Grier could use Eklund as a trade piece if a great opportunity presents itself?” (1:58:52) Sven_ asked: “Would you trade Eklund and Granlund for Elias Pettersson?” Stephen Akerson-Nagy asked if Macklin may get homesick for Vancouver in his career. Ryan Martinez asked about Dickinson getting AHL time this year. (2:07:20) Lincoln Race asked why Goodrow keeps getting played? Andrew Maloata asked why Ferraro and Ceci keep getting played? James R asked: Which current Sharks D are here for the long term Also, “beyond Askarov, any Cuda players you think will play meaningful minutes for the Sharks in the second half?” (2:30:48) Eric asked: Seeing how the San Jose Sharks have drafted under Grier, do you think their 2025 Draft top-five is, in order, Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Martone, and Jackson Smith? Nimrod asked: What would Šimon Nemec cost the Sharks? Blue Science asked: What are some team micro-stats for where the Sharks are at right now? Joe Epstein asked: “Could Luca Cagnoni have a ‘Dan Boyle’ type of true ceiling?” (2:44:13) Tejus Govindjie asked: “Bold prediction for 2025 Sharks? Can be for latter half of this season, off-season, or beginning of next.” Megabite thinks Celebrini is getting too much coverage and exposure. (2:51:45) Stephanie K asked: Should the Sharks use Celebrini’s Calder Trophy chase as motivation? What would you be willing to trade to get Rasmus Anderson? Kevin asked: “Is there a reason the lines are different every game?” Lina/Leonard/Steven Stoker/Austin Dias all asked about Logan Couture. (3:06:55) Alex Genadinik: If the Chicago Blackhawks got the No. 1 pick of the 2025 Draft, would they go forward or defense? “What’s the level of James Hagens in terms of comparing him to other top recently-drafted centers like Bedard or Celebrini,Will Smith, Fantilli or Carlsson?” Ben Gardner asked: Eklund, Clarke, and Guenther went No. 7 through 9 in the 2021 Draft…have Clarke and Guenther moved ahead Eklund in projected ceiling? Fred Azevedo asked: Could an NHL team bring the ECHL back to Stockton? (3:22:12) matthias893 asked: “Any word on Gannon Laroque?” Gary To asked: What’s one thing that Celebrini, Smith, and Mukhamadullin each need to work on to push them to the next level? Sharksmustbealways asked: “What’s the panic level with Georgiev?” Falco5 asked: How often do you hold back info and opinions because you are concerned it might hurt your relationship with current players? Alaskanice asked about our best and worst in-person game experiences. timorous me asked Sheng about his favorite food on the road and Keegan about his Sharks fandom. el gato joe asked: Have you gotten players’ thoughts on CTE? (3:42:30) CeleBeauty asked about the WJC, Dickinson's play, and 2025 draft eligible tourney players. Mabel Trager asked if Vlasic’s Jofa chest pads are older than ...
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    4 hrs and 5 mins
  • Steven Ellis Talks Sharks Prospects, World Juniors | E73

    Steven Ellis Talks Sharks Prospects, World Juniors | E73
    Dec 24 2024

    Steven Ellis of The Daily Faceoff joins the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

    Steven previews the World Junior Championships, and discusses the San Jose Sharks prospects who have made it...and some who didn’t. (1:03:46)

    But before we get to Steven, let’s talk about the San Jose Sharks’ week that was!

    William Eklund and Jake Walman are dealing with injuries…is there a concern?

    Yaroslav Askarov is here, because of Vitek Vanecek’s injury.

    San Jose Hockey Now has learned that the San Jose Sharks and Fabian Zetterlund have begun contract talks. (19:01)

    The Sharks took on Mackenzie Blackwood last week…why might he be a good match for the Colorado Avalanche and their style of play?

    We also discuss Shakir Mukhamadullin’s recent stretch of play, Luke Kunin hitting double-digit goals, and more. (34:03)

    What do we want the San Jose Sharks to get for Christmas? (56:10)

    Now, Steven Ellis talks Sharks prospects and World Juniors! (1:03:46)

    USA: Thoughts on Quentin Musty’s season? What’s Brandon Svoboda’s fit on the US roster? Is James Hagens the clear No. 1 of the 2025 Draft? (1:05:28)

    Canada: Sam Dickinson is having a big season, but how will his game translate to the NHL? Is Matthew Schaefer the clear-cut top defenseman of the 2025 Draft? (1:20:04)

    Sweden: How good is Victor Eklund, William’s brother? (1:28:32)

    Finland: How’s Kasper Halttunen’s campaign going, from San Jose to London? (1:33:30)

    Christian Kirsch talk!

    Any non-WJC San Jose Sharks prospects catch Steven’s eye?

    Finally: Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini? (1:42:55)
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    1 hr and 48 mins
  • Sharks Got Great Value for Blackwood | E72

    Sharks Got Great Value for Blackwood | E72
    Dec 16 2024

    The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast has had a week to sit on the Mackenzie Blackwood trade…and we still think it was a great trade for the San Jose Sharks! (1:03:36)

    But before we review why the trade was a great value, Keegan and Sheng discuss our recent impressions of the Sharks.

    How good is Macklin Celebrini? (01:55)

    Our thoughts on Shakir Mukhamadullin back in the NHL and more. (23:05)

    Keegan and Sheng aren’t on the same page with how the San Jose Sharks should’ve responded to Kevin Stenlund boarding Celebrini. (45:47)

    Let’s talk about the Blackwood trade! (1:03:36)

    Sheng shares the behind the scenes from finding out about the trade in real time in Florida. (1:04:37)

    Why, when we’re judging the trade, it doesn’t matter that Blackwood was originally acquired for just a sixth. (01:22:30)

    Sheng’s conclusion: Based on past goalie-centered trades, just a second-rounder would’ve been good value for Blackwood…but to get Nikolai Kovalenko on top of that? (01:25:00)

    Research into the past decade of goalie-centered trades suggests that you’re only getting a first or second for either a perceived “elite” goalie or a starter-in-waiting prospect type.

    At the moment, Blackwood is neither.

    NHL scouts share more thoughts about what the San Jose Sharks have got in Kovalenko. They also compare Kovalenko to Fabian Zetterlund. (01:36:58)

    Finally, we close with some thoughts about Alexandar Georgiev. (01:54:50)
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    2 hrs and 6 mins
  • Should Sharks Have Traded for Jiricek? | E71

    Should Sharks Have Traded for Jiricek? | E71
    Dec 3 2024

    Should the San Jose Sharks have traded for David Jiricek? (1:23:35) Keegan and Sheng talk about it on this week’s episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast! But before we talk Jiricek, we chat about the latest San Jose Sharks’ news and their recent inspired play. What did we think of Joe Thornton’s jersey retirement? (04:45) We talk about Sharks prospects who were invited to their World Junior selection camps like Sam Dickinson and Brandon Svoboda -- and about prospects who aren’t going to World Juniors like Will Smith and Quentin Musty. (09:40) Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks have been playing some good hockey. (25:33) We discuss Rookie of the Month and NHL 1st Star of the Week Macklin Celebrini, and what Sheng was worried that Will Smith was going to lose (but didn’t). Keegan runs a lap for Fabian Zetterlund around Timo Meier, and praises William Eklund. We credit GM Mike Grier for his veteran additions like Alex Wennberg, Jake Walman, and Timothy Liljegren. Obligatory Luke Kunin reference. (57:51) Keegan doesn’t think that Grier will trade Mackenzie Blackwood. (1:19:05) Finally, let’s talk David Jiricek! (1:23:35) Before Jiricek got traded to the Minnesota Wild, Sheng talked with a lot of his sources about Jiricek. What does the rest of the league think of Daemon Hunt and Jiricek? Does Jiricek project as a top-pairing or top-four blueliner? What’s the San Jose Sharks’ best equivalent to the Wild’s 2025 first-rounder…William Eklund, Shakir Mukhamadullin, or Musty?…and would Sheng or Keegan have parted with any of these assets for Jiricek? (1:38:06) Which prospect would you rather have in your system, Jiricek or Yaroslav Askarov? Thanks for watching and subscribing to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!
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    2 hrs
  • What's Going Right With Sharks' Rebuild? Biggest Concerns? | E70

    What's Going Right With Sharks' Rebuild? Biggest Concerns? | E70
    Nov 20 2024

    This week on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast we cover the state of the rebuild. What’s gone right? What’s gone wrong? What are some potential options going forward for rebuilding the San Jose Sharks?

    But before all that, we have some news of the week, including a Vanecek injury leading to a Yaroslav Askarov callup, (02:00) and an update on the Nico Sturm injury. (04:00)

    We discuss the San Jose Sharks’ recent play and do a line-by-line discussion. (05:05)

    Is this the most depth the Sharks have had at forward in years? Sheng ponders. (10:30)

    We talk about Will Smith changing to wing, the Celebrini-Smith duo and what Goodrow gives to that line.(17:50)

    Next we cover the defense pairs, including the addition of Liljegren and his pairing with Ferraro. (37:50)

    The main topic for the show: What’s going right in the San Jose Sharks rebuild? (51:40)

    There’s a lot going right with this rebuild, but what are the questions still unanswered going forward? (1:23:30)

    Finally we wonder when should the San Jose Sharks take the next step in free agency and the trade market, and what are some potential pitfalls to try to avoid? (1:29:02)

    Thank you all for watching and subscribing on YouTube!
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    1 hr and 40 mins
  • Sheng's Bold Celebrini Prediction, Needless Walman Drama & More Sharks News | E69

    Sheng's Bold Celebrini Prediction, Needless Walman Drama & More Sharks News | E69
    Nov 10 2024

    It’s been a busy couple weeks of San Jose Sharks news!

    On this episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, we cover it all!

    Macklin Celebrini returns…what are our rest-of-season expectations for him? Sheng has a bold prediction! (1:33)

    Will Smith scored his first NHL goals…we discuss why the San Jose Sharks kept him up in the NHL. (12:10)

    Danil Gushchin and Ethan Cardwell got sent down, how did Sheng and Keegan see their time in the NHL? (20:15)

    Why should the San Jose Sharks keep Mikael Granlund? Sheng added a couple extra arguments. (26:05)

    What else do we think of Sharks forwards this season?

    Why weren’t the San Jose Sharks just up front about what was going on with Jake Walman? (39:20)

    We react to the Timothy Liljegren trade. (47:55)

    Finally, we talk Mario Ferraro, Jan Rutta, Henry Thrun, and Jack Thompson. (55:29)
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Keep or Trade Granlund? Zetterlund’s Emergence, Will Smith & More Through 11 Games | E68

    Keep or Trade Granlund? Zetterlund’s Emergence, Will Smith & More Through 11 Games | E68
    Oct 31 2024

    Welcome to a new, pre-Timothy Liljegren episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

    Sheng and Keegan share their impressions of the San Jose Sharks’ first 11 games…recorded before the Liljegren trade.

    But before we break down the Sharks’ 2-7-2 start?

    What’s the latest on Macklin Celebrini’s injury? (3:18)

    What’s Sheng hearing from scouts about the San Jose Barracuda as a playoff contender? (6:24)

    Also, Sheng thanks all of you who contributed recently to his travel fund. Keep San Jose Hockey Now at San Jose Sharks' road games! (19:45)

    What are our thoughts about these Sharks through 11 games? (24:48)

    First, the forwards!

    Mikael Granlund (25:30)
    Tyler Toffoli
    William Eklund
    Fabian Zetterlund (42:39)
    Danil Gushchin (48:55)
    Alex Wennberg
    Will Smith (1:01:31)
    Ethan Cardwell (1:12:15)
    Klim Kostin
    Nico Sturm
    Carl Grundstrom

    Next, San Jose Sharks defensemen (including the just-traded Matt Benning!)

    Jake Walman (1:26:16)
    Cody Ceci
    Mario Ferraro (1:32:16)
    Jan Rutta
    Jack Thompson (1:35:54)
    Matt Benning
    Henry Thrun

    Finally, the goalies! (1:43:41)
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    1 hr and 50 mins