Megan: Macklin Celebrini just became the highest-paid player in the NHL, and he's not even 21 yet. Today we're answering YOUR questions about what it means for the Sharks.
Steve: And we've got a mailbag full of roster battles, goaltending debates, and one bold prediction that might make you spit out your coffee.
Megan: You're locked into Beatline, the only daily podcast that bleeds teal. I'm Megan, and as always, the brilliant Steve is here to break it all down.
Steve: Hey Sharks fam! Let's dive into the mailbag. We've got three segments: first, your biggest questions on Celebrini and the extension. Then we'll tackle the roster crunch. And we'll close with a fun hypothetical and a lightning round.
Megan: Alright, first up, Sarah from Rochester asks: 'How does Celebrini's $94 million extension change the Sharks' cap flexibility, and can they still build a contender around him?'
Steve: Great question. That $18.8 million AAV is massive, but it's a five-year deal, so it takes him through his prime years. The cap is going up, and the Sharks have a lot of young talent on entry-level deals. It's tight, but they can make it work.
Megan: Right, and let's not forget he's only 20. This deal locks him up through age 25, which is huge for the franchise. The Sharks are all in on this kid.
Steve: Absolutely. And the fact that he said he'd consider a discount to help the team? That's the kind of commitment you want from your franchise center.
Megan: Definitely. Next, @SharksFan4Life asks: 'With Celebrini on the cover of NHL 27, is the hype real or is it too much pressure on a young star?'
Steve: The hype is real, but it's also a lot. He's already the face of the franchise, and now he's the youngest cover athlete ever. That brings a ton of attention, but he seems to handle it well. He's got that Crosby-like composure.
Megan: And speaking of Crosby, he said he'd consider taking less to help the team. That's a leadership quality you can't teach.
Steve: Exactly. But let's be real, the pressure is on. The Sharks are fifth in the Pacific, and everyone expects them to take the next step. Celebrini will need to be the engine.
Megan: Okay, one more from the inbox: 'What does the Graf signing mean for the bottom-six forward group?'
Steve: Collin Graf had 21 goals and 25 assists last season, and he's back on a three-year, $12.75 million deal. That's a solid value for a guy who can play up and down the lineup. He gives them depth scoring, which they'll need.
Megan: And it shows the Sharks are committed to keeping their own guys. That's a good sign for the culture they're building.
Steve: For sure. Stick with us, because next we're diving into the biggest roster battles on the blue line and in goal.
Megan: Welcome back to the mailbag! Marcus in Denver asks: 'The Sharks have a logjam at center. Who's the odd man out?'
Steve: That's the million-dollar question. They've got Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and a bunch of veterans. Someone's going to slide to the wing or get traded.
Megan: I think Will Smith is a lock for a top-six spot. But guys like Alex Barre-Boulet and Zack Ostapchuk might be fighting for a fourth-line role.
Steve: Right, and don't forget Ty Dellandrea and Barclay Goodrow – they bring that grit and penalty-killing ability. It's a good problem to have, but it means some tough decisions.
Megan: Next question from @TealTownTom: 'With so many veteran defensemen, who's likely to be traded before the deadline?'
Steve: We've been saying this for weeks: one of those veterans is gone. Names like Jacob Trouba, Darnell Nurse, or Dmitry Orlov could be moved. They need to clear cap space and give younger guys like Sam Dickinson a chance.
Megan: And we predicted that back in August. Looks like we're sticking with that one.
Steve: Absolutely. The blue line is crowded, and something's got to give.
Megan: Alright, another fan question: 'The goaltending rotation is a mess. Who starts opening night?'
Steve: That's a great one. You've got Yaroslav Askarov, Alex Nedeljkovic, Eric Comrie, and Kyle Keyser. Askarov is the future, but he might need more seasoning. Nedeljkovic has the experience.
Megan: I think Askarov gets the nod eventually, but they might ease him in. It's a good competition to have.
Steve: For sure. And if Askarov grabs the net, watch out. He could be a difference-maker. Now for the fun stuff – a hypothetical and a lightning round.
Megan: Okay, we've got a fun one from @PuckHeadPete: 'If you could build a line around Celebrini using any current Sharks, who's on the wings?'
Steve: Easy. I'm putting Tyler Toffoli on his right – that guy can finish. And on the left, I'm going with Mason Marchment. He's big, he can create space, and he's got some skill.
Megan: That line would be a nightmare for opponents. Toffoli's shot, Marchment's net-front presence, and Celebrini's playmaking? Good luck.
Steve: Exactly. Now for the lightning round. First up: Who leads the team in goals this season?
Megan: Gotta be Celebrini. He's that good, and he'll be on the power play all year.
Steve: I'll take Toffoli. He's a proven sniper and he'll get those dirty goals. Next: What's the biggest concern for this team?
Megan: Goaltending. If Askarov isn't ready, they're in trouble.
Steve: I agree. They need someone to steal games. Final one: Do the Sharks make the playoffs?
Megan: We've been saying yes all week. I'm sticking with that. They're fifth in the Pacific, and I think they push for a wild card.
Steve: I'll say they finish with 98 points and grab a spot. The talent is there, they just need to stay healthy.
Megan: That's all the time we have today. Big thanks to everyone who sent in questions – keep them coming @BeatlinePod.
Steve: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Share it with your fellow Sharks fans.
Megan: And remember, the season is almost here. The Sharks open against the Florida Panthers on October 2nd. We'll be right there with you.
Steve: Let's go Sharks!
Megan: Go Sharks! See you next time.