Megan: The Sharks have the highest-paid player in NHL history, and still, the biggest fight in camp might be for the fourth line. Welcome to Beatline, Sharks fans, I'm Megan.
Steve: And I'm Steve. Macklin Celebrini's $94 million extension is done, but today we're breaking down the real battles that'll decide this roster.
Megan: Three things coming up: first, the goaltending competition that nobody's talking about enough.
Steve: Then we'll dig into the forward logjam, especially on the wings.
Megan: And we'll wrap with our roster-cut predictions, plus who's trending up and who's on thin ice. Stick with us.
Megan: Okay Steve, let's dive right in. Four goalies on the roster: Askarov, Comrie, Keyser, and Nedeljkovic. That's a crowded crease, and I think it's the most fascinating battle of camp.
Steve: Absolutely. Yaroslav Askarov is the future, but Alex Nedeljkovic has starting experience, and Eric Comrie has been a solid backup. Kyle Keyser is the wild card.
Megan: So who's the opening night starter? Give me your gut call.
Steve: I think Askarov gets the net. You don't trade for a guy like that and not give him the reins. But it's not a lock—he's got to outplay Nedeljkovic in the preseason.
Megan: And if he does, that's a huge statement for this franchise.
Steve: It is. And let's talk about the backup spot. Nedeljkovic's pedigree gives him the edge over Comrie, but Comrie had a solid season last year. This is a real battle.
Megan: So who gets the third string? Keyser?
Steve: He's the odd man out. He needs to clear waivers or go to the AHL. But you don't keep three goalies on the NHL roster.
Megan: So it's really a two-man race for the backup job, with Keyser heading to the minors. That's a clean way to look at it.
Steve: Exactly. And the goaltending battle is huge because the Sharks' defense in front of them has been rebuilt. You've got Nurse, Trouba, Orlov, Klingberg—that's a veteran group.
Megan: Speaking of defense, that's a whole other battle. Let's save that for segment two. But first, let's stick with the goalies. Who's the most under pressure?
Steve: Honestly, Askarov. He's the future, but he's still young. If he stumbles, the fans will be calling for Nedeljkovic. That's a lot of pressure.
Megan: So the crease is the biggest story of camp. We'll see how it shakes out. Stick with us, because up next we're breaking down the forward logjam.
Megan: Welcome back. Steve, we've got a ton of forwards on this roster. Eleven centers, five left wings, six right wings. That's a lot of bodies.
Steve: It is. Let's start with the center position. Celebrini is the number one, that's set. But behind him, you've got Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Tyler Toffoli, who can also play the wing.
Megan: Smith and Misa are both young, high-upside guys. Is there a real battle for the second-line center spot?
Steve: I think Smith has the inside track. He's got a year of pro experience under his belt. Misa is a rookie, he might start on the wing or in the AHL. But it's not a given.
Megan: And then you've got veterans like Barclay Goodrow and Alexander Wennberg. They're not going to push for top-six minutes, but they provide depth.
Steve: Right. Those guys are your penalty killers, your defensive zone starters. That's valuable.
Megan: Now let's talk wings. Collin Graf just signed a three-year, $12.75 million deal after a 46-point season. He's a lock for the top six, right?
Steve: No question. He's earned that contract. But behind him, there's a logjam on the right side with Adam Gaudette, Brett Leason, and Ryan Reaves.
Megan: Reaves is the enforcer, but does he fit in this new-look Sharks team?
Steve: Honestly, he might be the odd man out. You've got younger, faster guys who can kill penalties. But you need that physical presence, so it's a tough call.
Megan: What about the left side? Mason Marchment, Kiefer Sherwood, Pavol Regenda.
Steve: Marchment is a lock. He brings size and scoring. Sherwood is a great fourth-line guy. Regenda is a wild card—he could push for a spot or head to the AHL.
Megan: So the forward battles are deep. But the defense might be even more crowded. Seven defensemen on the roster, and they all have NHL experience.
Steve: That's the other big battle. Let's break it down in the next segment.
Megan: We'll do that right after this break. Stick with us.
Megan: Welcome back. Steve, the defense is a veteran group—Nurse, Trouba, Orlov, Klingberg, Leddy, plus young guys like Sam Dickinson and Nolan Allan.
Steve: That's seven NHL-caliber defensemen for six or seven spots. Someone's going to be the odd man out, and that's a tough decision.
Megan: So who's on the outside looking in?
Steve: I think John Klingberg is the most likely to be traded or waived. He's a power-play specialist, but his defense has always been a question. And he's on an expiring deal.
Megan: But he's also a veteran who can move the puck. Isn't that valuable?
Steve: It is, but you've got younger guys like Dickinson who need ice time. And you've got Nurse and Trouba as your top pairing. Orlov and Leddy are solid vets. Klingberg might be the odd man out.
Megan: So a trade before the deadline? That would match our prediction from earlier this week.
Steve: Exactly. We said a veteran defenseman would be traded. I'm doubling down on that.
Megan: Now let's talk roster cuts. Who's trending up and who's trending down?
Steve: Trending up: Sam Dickinson. He's a young defenseman who's ready to make the jump. And Michael Misa on the wing—he could force his way onto the roster.
Megan: What about Kiefer Sherwood? He's a solid fourth-liner.
Steve: He's trending up too, but he's not a lock. He's in a battle with guys like Zack Ostapchuk and Ty Dellandrea for that fourth-line role. That's a battle to watch.
Megan: And trending down?
Steve: Ryan Reaves. His role is shrinking. And Alex Barre-Boulet—he's a talented player, but he's been in and out of the lineup. He might not stick.
Megan: So who gets sent down? Give me your final roster prediction.
Steve: I think you keep 13 forwards and 7 defensemen. Reaves and Barre-Boulet are the odd men out. On defense, Klingberg gets traded. And in goal, Keyser goes to the AHL.
Megan: That's a bold prediction. But it makes sense. And with Celebrini leading the way, this team could be dangerous.
Steve: Absolutely. The pieces are there. It's just a matter of putting it together.
Megan: That's our show. Quick recap: goaltending is the biggest battle, the forward logjam is real, and we're predicting some tough cuts on defense.
Steve: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline. Share this episode with your fellow Sharks fans.
Megan: And as always, go Sharks!