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 in most 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!"
First Pick of the Draft Hopes
Slipping for the Sharks, as Team Keeps Winning