Megan: We just made history in San Jose, but the NHL world is moving fast. Macklin Celebrini is now the highest-paid player in hockey, Collin Graf is locked in, and the roster is a logistical puzzle box with eleven centers and eight defensemen. Where do the Sharks actually stand in the brutal Pacific Division right now?
Steve: It’s a massive question. We’ve spent the last three days dissecting the contract structures and the cap implications, but today we’re putting it all on the board. This is the official power rankings episode for the San Jose Sharks.
Megan: I’m Megan, this is Steve, and you’re listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Welcome back to the daily show where we break down every team in the league. Today, we are ranking the Sharks in their division context, identifying their biggest strengths and glaring question marks, and giving you a realistic win projection for this upcoming season.
Steve: Right. And if you missed our deep dives on the Klingberg trade rumors or Will Smith’s AHL odds, go back and check those out. But today is about the big picture. Are these contracts going to propel them up, or does that Pacific Division depth crush their hopes?
Megan: Let’s get into it. Segment One: Where do the Sharks rank in the Pacific? We know they’re fifth. But is that a fair assessment given the talent we see on paper versus the reality of the standings?
Steve: Well, Megan, the data doesn't lie. They are currently fifth in the Pacific Division. That’s the standing. Now, when we talk about power rankings, we have to look at what that number means. It means they are behind the top four teams, which typically includes the elite contenders like Edmonton, Colorado, maybe Vegas depending on how you grade preseason predictions.
Megan: Fifth place. That feels... heavy. Especially after everything we heard about Macklin Celebrini becoming the highest-paid player in the NHL with that five-year, $94 million extension. You would think money buys you more than fifth place.
Steve: It’s not about the money, Megan. It’s about the ecosystem. The Pacific is arguably the deepest division in hockey. When you’re fifth, you’re often fighting for a wild card spot rather than a direct divisional playoff berth. The gap between fourth and fifth can be microscopic in terms of points, but huge in terms of perceived quality.
Megan: So, are we saying the Sharks are a good team that’s just in a bad neighborhood? Or is fifth place a reflection of actual roster construction issues?
Steve: It’s a bit of both. Look at the headlines from the offseason. We had Graf staying on a three-year, $12.75 million deal. That’s solid. He had 21 goals and 25 assists last season. That’s reliable production. But then you look at the defensive corps. Eight defensemen. John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba... that’s a lot of bodies.
Megan: Eight defensemen! Steve, we talked about this yesterday. How do you even fit that on the salary cap without cutting someone else? It seems like a recipe for mid-season chaos.
Steve: Exactly. And that uncertainty weighs on power rankings. If the coaching staff has to shuffle lines because they have too many players competing for spots, consistency suffers. Fifth place reflects that lack of clarity. They aren’t clearly a top-tier powerhouse yet. They’re a team with star power in Celebrini, but surrounded by a roster that looks... crowded.
Megan: And let’s not forget the next game. Florida Panthers at San Jose Sharks on October 2nd. A tough opening test against a seasoned squad. Does that impact the early ranking vibe?
Steve: It sets the tone. If they start slow against a team like Florida, that fifth-place label sticks faster. But if they jump out strong, powered by Celebrini’s elite two-way play, people will start talking about an upward trajectory. For now, though, the metric is clear: Fifth in the Pacific.
Megan: Alright, so we’ve established they’re fifth. But why? What are the actual strengths that keep them in the hunt, and what are the question marks that might tank their season? Let’s move to Segment Two.
Steve: Strength one: The center ice dominance. Macklin Celebrini. At twenty years old, he’s not just a rookie anymore; he’s the face of the franchise. He’s on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 27, which tells you his marketability and skill level are already at superstar status. His ability to drive play in the neutral zone is unmatched on this roster.
Megan: And remember, he was willing to take a discount to help the team, but ultimately signed for $18.8 million per year. That’s still a massive investment in one player. Do you think having that kind of anchor makes the rest of the line less important?
Steve: No, it makes the supporting cast critical. Because Celebrini draws double teams, you need guys like Collin Graf to exploit the space. Graf knows how to finish. But here’s the strength I want to highlight: the veteran leadership in the locker room. Having guys like Tyler Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow, and Ryan Reaves brings a physicality that young teams often lack.
Megan: Ryan Reaves! Okay, that’s definitely a different flavor for San Jose. How does that mesh with the speed of Celebrini and Will Smith?
Steve: That’s the tactical challenge. You have to balance the forecheck. Reaves and Goodrow bring the hit; Smith and Celebrini bring the transition game. If they can synchronize that, they become dangerous. But that leads us directly to the biggest question mark: Goaltending.
Megan: Oh, yes. Yaroslav Askarov, Eric Comrie, Kyle Keyser, Alex Nedeljkovic. Four goalies on the roster. Who is starting?
Steve: Our prediction from earlier in the week stands: Eric Comrie starts the first few games against Florida. Why? Because he offers stability. Askarov is talented, but he’s young. In a tight Pacific Division race, you don’t gamble on your netminder in Week One. Comrie gives you a reliable floor.
Megan: But what if Comrie struggles? Then you’re looking at Askarov, who might not be ready. That’s a huge risk. If the goaltending isn’t elite, can this offense carry them?
Steve: That’s the second question mark: Defensive Zone Coverage. With eight defensemen, you have a lot of options, but do you have a clear #1 pair? Klingberg and Orlov are veterans, but are they mobile enough to handle the speed of the modern NHL? If the neutral-zone play breaks down, Celebrini has to back-check too much, and he’s not built for that endless grind.
Megan: So, the strength is offensive firepower and veteran grit, but the weakness is potentially chaotic goaltending and defensive zone transitions. Is that a fair summary?
Steve: Spot on. They are a high-ceiling, high-variance team. If the goalie plays well and the defensemen trust each other, they can win 45 games. If the system breaks down, they can lose 30 straight.
Megan: High variance. I love that. It keeps things interesting. Now, let’s wrap this up with Segment Three. What is the realistic outlook? How many wins do you project for the Sharks this season?
Steve: Realistic outlook. Not hopeful outlook. Realistic. Given the fifth-place standing, the crowded roster, and the reliance on Comrie to start, I’m projecting 38 to 42 wins. They are not making the playoffs as a division winner. They are fighting for a wild card spot, and even that is a stretch.
Megan: 42 wins max. That feels conservative compared to the hype around Celebrini. Don’t you think the media narrative will push higher expectations?
Steve: The media narrative is always inflated. But the Pacific Division is a grinder. Teams like Vancouver, Calgary, and Anaheim are also rebuilding or retooling. The Sharks are in a transitional phase. The $94 million contract locks them into a window where they *must* compete, but the roster construction suggests they are still building the foundation.
Megan: So, no playoff contention this year. It’s a development year for Celebrini, Graf, and the younger guys like Will Smith. If Smith doesn’t crack the top nine, we said he might go to the AHL. Does that happen?
Steve: It’s possible. With eleven centers, someone has to miss out. If Smith isn’t dominating training camp, sending him down provides him with more ice time in the AHL to develop, rather than burying him in a bottom-six role in the NHL. It’s a strategic move, not a failure.
Megan: Strategic. I like that framing. So, the outlook is: 38-42 wins, fight for a wild card, develop the core, and hope the goaltending holds up. Any final thoughts on the Klingberg trade rumor?
Steve: I still believe John Klingberg will be traded before the deadline. The roster congestion is too severe. You can’t keep eight defensemen and expect cap flexibility. Expect a move in March.
Megan: March. Mark it on your calendars. Alright, Steve, that’s our breakdown. The Sharks are fifth, high-variance, and heading for a rebuilding season with a superstar anchor. Thanks for sticking with us through the rankings.
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Steve: Thank you for listening. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this with a fellow Sharks fan. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Megan: Go Sharks. See you tomorrow.