Megan: Steve, the Sharks have more centers than a phone bank, and some are going to be packing their bags. We are about to break down the fiercest roster battles in San Jose.
Steve: And Megan, I don't think we've ever seen this much competition at one position. It's going to be a war for ice time.
Megan: You're locked into Beatline, the daily podcast for the San Jose Sharks. I'm Megan, alongside Steve, and on today's episode: the battles that will define this roster.
Megan: We're talking the center logjam, the crease conundrum, and the depth chart decisions that could shake up the entire lineup. Stick with us.
Steve: And we've got a huge prediction to check on from yesterday. You remember that bold call I made?
Megan: Oh, I remember. You said the Sharks make the playoffs. That's still on the record. But first, let's get to the biggest battle of them all.
Megan: Alright Steve, let's start with the obvious: the center position. The Sharks have more centers than a hockey camp. How do you sort this out?
Steve: It's a logjam, no doubt. You've got Macklin Celebrini locked in as the number one center, that's a given after that record extension. But behind him, it's wide open.
Megan: And it's not just the NHL guys. You've got prospects like Michael Misa and Will Smith knocking on the door. That's a lot of mouths to feed.
Steve: Exactly. And remember, Will Smith was a top pick, he's going to get every chance to make the team. But Misa is coming off a monster junior year, he's pushing hard.
Megan: So who's the odd man out? We have to think about veterans like Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg. They're not just going to roll over.
Steve: No, they're not. But you have to look at the contracts and the future. Toffoli is a proven scorer, he can play wing too. Wennberg is a solid two-way guy. But the young guys need ice time to develop.
Megan: I'm hearing that the real battle might be between the kids themselves. Will Smith versus Michael Misa for that second-line center spot. Who's winning that in your eyes?
Steve: It's tight. Smith has the pedigree, but Misa might have the higher ceiling. I think Smith gets the nod early, but Misa will be in the conversation by Christmas. It's a good problem to have.
Megan: And what about the guys who are left out? They're not going to be happy. There's going to be some trade talk, right?
Steve: Definitely. You can't keep all these centers happy. And that's where Mike Grier has to make some calls. I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade before the deadline, or even before the season starts.
Megan: So we're looking at a logjam, but it's a good logjam. Now let's get to the goaltending situation, because that's another battle that's going to heat up.
Megan: Steve, the crease is crowded too. Four goalies on the roster, but only two can play. Who's the starter, and who's the backup?
Steve: I think it's clear that Yaroslav Askarov is the future. He's young, he's athletic, and he's proven he can win at the AHL level. He's your number one.
Megan: But he's still unproven at the NHL level. You've got veterans like Alex Nedeljkovic and Eric Comrie who can step in. Is that a competition?
Steve: It's a competition for the backup job. Nedeljkovic has the most experience, but Comrie had a solid season last year. And then you've got Kyle Keyser, who's a wild card. He could surprise people.
Megan: I'm thinking Askarov gets the bulk of the starts, but the backup job is up for grabs. That's a good situation for the team.
Steve: Exactly. And you don't want to rush Askarov, but he's ready. I think he's going to be a star in this league. Give him the net and let him run with it.
Megan: Now let's talk about the defense. There's a lot of veterans there too. John Klingberg, Jacob Trouba, Darnell Nurse. How does that shake out?
Steve: That's the other big battle. You've got too many defensemen. Someone's going to be the seventh man, and that's never fun. But it's a credit to the depth.
Megan: Who do you see as the top pairing? I'm guessing Celebrini's buddy, Sam Dickinson, is in there somewhere.
Steve: Dickinson is a future stud, but he might not be ready for top-pair minutes yet. You've got veterans like Orlov and Trouba who can log big minutes. I think you see a mix of youth and experience.
Megan: And what about the guys who get left out? We predicted yesterday that a veteran might start as the seventh defenseman or get traded. Is that still your take?
Steve: Absolutely. I'm looking at Nick Leddy or even Klingberg. They might not want to be seventh, and the team might want to free up cap space. Keep an eye on that.
Megan: Alright, so we've got center, goalie, and defense all with battles. Now let's make some cuts and predictions. Who's trending up, who's trending down?
Megan: Time for our roster-cut predictions. If you're on the bubble, the clock is ticking. Steve, who's the surprise cut?
Steve: I'm going to say Brett Leason. He's a hard worker, but he's caught in a numbers game. With guys like Graf and Gaudette ahead of him, he might be the odd man out.
Megan: Graf is a lock after that new contract. But what about Ryan Reaves? He's a fan favorite, but is there room for him?
Steve: Reaves brings toughness, and teams still need that. But if they want to go with speed and skill, he could be the one watching from the press box. It's a tough call.
Megan: Let's talk about who's trending up. Collin Graf is coming off a 21-goal season. Is he a top-six lock?
Steve: I think so. He earned that contract, and he's going to get every chance to play with skilled players. He could be a 30-goal guy.
Megan: And who's trending down? Maybe a veteran who's losing his spot to a kid?
Steve: I'd say Alexander Wennberg. He's a solid pro, but with the youth movement, he might see his role reduced. He could be a trade candidate.
Megan: Okay, let's make some final predictions. Steve, you made a bold call yesterday that the Sharks make the playoffs. Do you still stand by that?
Steve: I do. This team has too much talent. Celebrini, Graf, Dickinson, Askarov. They're going to surprise some people. Book it.
Megan: Alright, we're holding you to that. And my prediction? I think one of those veteran defensemen gets traded before the deadline. You heard it here first.
Megan: That's all the time we have today. Quick recap: center is a logjam, goaltending is set with Askarov, and defense has a numbers problem.
Megan: Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline. Share this episode with a Sharks fan who loves a good roster debate.
Steve: And as always, Go Sharks! We'll see you next time.