Megan: The San Jose Sharks just handed out the biggest contract in NHL history, and honestly? It might be the most dangerous move in sports right now. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every angle of your favorite teams.
Steve: That is a massive statement from the front office. Macklin Celebrini is no longer just a prospect; he is the face of the league, and his new deal changes the entire dynamic of the Pacific Division.
Megan: I’m Megan, and I’m here with Steve. We are three days out from the preseason finale, and the Sharks have made their intentions crystal clear. Today, we’re looking at how this record-breaking extension impacts the division rivals, how the roster stacks up against the competition, and what those outside results mean for our 98-point prediction.
Steve: Exactly. And remember, back on August 28th, we talked about this extension being the anchor for the franchise. Now that it’s signed, we need to look at the context. The Sharks are sitting fifth in the Pacific Division as we head into the final pre-season stretch.
Megan: So, let’s dive in. First up: Division Rivals. Who else in the Pacific is making noise right now?
Steve: Well, the headlines are dominated by two things: the Sharks’ financial dominance and some surprising moves elsewhere. We saw Collin Graf re-signing with San Jose on a three-year, $12.75 million deal. That’s solid depth scoring, but the real story is Macklin Celebrini’s five-year, $94 million extension.
Megan: Nineteen point eight million per year. He’s the highest-paid player in the NHL at twenty years old. But look at the rest of the league. We’re seeing news about rookie roundtables, Gavin McKenna answering burning questions, and Steve Yzerman getting graded on his bold predictions.
Steve: Right. And notice who isn’t mentioned much in the 'big news' category for other Pacific teams. The Rangers are being graded poorly on their playoff chances, and there’s talk of 'failing up' in Detroit. Meanwhile, the Sharks are locking in their superstar.
Megan: It feels like everyone else is playing checkers while San Jose is changing the board. But wait, did you see the bit about Celebrini considering a discount? The headline said he would '100%' consider taking less than market value to help the team.
Steve: That was interesting. He *would* consider it, but he didn’t take it. He took the max. This shows the Sharks are committed to building around him immediately. Compare that to the Florida Panthers, who are coming to town on October 2nd for the season opener. They aren’t locking in a twenty-year-old center to a historic deal.
Megan: And what about the EA Sports cover? Celebrini is on the NHL 27 cover. Youngest ever. That’s huge for visibility. Do you think that adds pressure or just hype?
Steve: It adds expectation. When you’re on the cover of a video game at twenty, people expect you to score forty goals immediately. For a team trying to climb out of fifth in the Pacific, that kind of star power is essential. It draws fans into the arena for that October 2nd matchup against Florida.
Megan: Let’s stick with us, because next we’re breaking down exactly how this roster compares to those Pacific rivals.
Megan: Okay, Segment Two. How does the Sharks’ current roster stack up against the division? We’ve got Macklin Celebrini locked in, Collin Graf back for another three years, and a very crowded defensive corps.
Steve: Let’s look at the forwards. You have Celebrini at center, obviously. Then you’ve got Alex Barre-Boulet, Ty Dellandrea, Barclay Goodrow, Philipp Kurashev, and Tyler Toffoli. That is a lot of skilled centers. Add in Mason Marchment and Pavol Regenda on the wing, plus Collin Graf who had 21 goals last season.
Megan: And don’t forget Will Smith. Remember our prediction from August 28th? We said Will Smith would be the breakout player this season. With Graf secure, where does Smith fit?
Steve: Smith has to win a spot on the third line or maybe even push for second-line minutes if Kurashev or Dellandrea struggle in camp. The logjam is real. You’ve got Andre Gasseau, Michael Misa, Zack Ostapchuk, Adam Gaudette, Ethan Cardwell, Brett Leason, and Ryan Reaves all fighting for space.
Megan: Ryan Reaves is there for intimidation, which helps the younger guys like Graf and Smith develop without getting bullied. But defensively, it’s even deeper. Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, John Klingberg, Nick Leddy, Dmitry Orlov... that’s six top-four defensemen right there.
Steve: It’s impressive, but it’s also expensive and potentially stagnant. We predicted on August 29th that a veteran defenseman would be traded before the deadline. With Klingberg, Leddy, Orlov, and Trouba all under contract, someone has to go if they want cap flexibility for the future.
Megan: And then you’ve got the goalie situation. Yaroslav Askarov, Eric Comrie, Kyle Keyser, Alex Nedeljkovic. Four goalies. That’s a lot of options. Who starts on October 2nd against Florida?
Steve: Askarov has the upside, but Comrie brings stability. If Askarov doesn’t dominate training camp, San Jose might look to trade one of the veterans to clear space. But for now, they have depth. Compared to the Panthers, who are a established contender, the Sharks have more raw talent but less proven chemistry.
Megan: Chemistry is key. You can’t just buy wins with contracts. Celebrini’s contract is a vote of confidence, but the team needs to execute. Can they forecheck effectively with that many skilled forwards?
Steve: They should. Graf has speed, Smith has vision, and Celebrini has everything. If they can get the puck deep and use Marchment’s size, they can wear down defenses. But if they turn it over in the neutral zone, that veteran blue line might get exposed.
Megan: We’ll see how it plays out when the puck drops. Next, we’re talking about what the rest of the league doing means for San Jose’s path to 98 points.
Steve: Segment Three. What do these outside results mean for the Sharks? We’ve been sticking to our guns: 98 points. Playoffs. Over.
Megan: But look at the headlines again. Steve Yzerman is 'failing up.' The Rangers are not returning to the playoffs. Does that make the Pacific easier?
Steve: It might. If the Western Conference is shifting, with some Eastern teams struggling, the Pacific could become a battleground for wild cards. Being fifth now doesn’t matter as much as finishing strong. The Sharks need to capitalize on any weakness elsewhere.
Megan: Weakness elsewhere... like the Panthers? They’re tough, but they’re not invincible. If San Jose can win the home opener on October 2nd, that sets the tone. Celebrini on the cover, Celebrini earning the most money, Celebrini leading the charge.
Steve: Exactly. The narrative is yours to write. Every time Celebrini steps on the ice, he’s carrying the weight of that $94 million contract. But he’s also carrying the hope of a fanbase that wants to return to the postseason.
Megan: And let’s not forget the rookies. Gavin McKenna and others are shining across the league. If Will Smith breaks out as we predicted, he’ll be right there with them. The depth chart is full of potential.
Steve: Potential needs conversion. The Sharks have the pieces. They have the star. They have the cap space management handled for the next five years. Now they just need to play hockey. Win the battles in the corners, protect the net, and let Celebrini play.
Megan: We’re predicting 98 points. We’re predicting playoffs. And we’re predicting that Macklin Celebrini will be the reason why. Whether it’s on the ice or on the cover of NHL 27, he’s the standard.
Steve: From the records to the roster, San Jose is ready. The only question is whether the rest of the Pacific is ready for them.
Megan: If you agree with our 98-point prediction, hit that subscribe button, rate us five stars, and share this episode with a fellow Shark Fan. Let’s keep the momentum going.
Steve: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. We’ll see you on October 2nd for the opener.
Megan: Go Sharks!