Megan: If you think Macklin Celebrini is just another shiny new star, wait until you hear what he’s willing to do for this franchise. We’re diving into the mailbag today, tackling the elephant in the room: his historic contract and whether it changes how we view the entire Pacific Division.
Steve: It’s not just about the money, Megan. It’s about the cap flexibility—or lack thereof—and how that ripples through an eleven-center roster. Plus, we’re looking at who actually starts in goal against Florida on October 2nd.
Megan: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Megan O’Grady, and this is your daily Sharks show. Steve, thanks for joining me as we break down the fan questions. Before we get into the emails, let’s lay out our roadmap. We’ve got three big segments today.
Steve: That’s right. First, we’re answering questions about the Macklin Celebrini extension and what it means for the team’s financial future. Then, we’re breaking down the crowded center ice situation—eleven centers, folks, that’s a lot of bodies fighting for six spots.
Megan: And finally, we’ll tackle the goalie controversy and some fun hypotheticals about the preseason. But first, a quick reminder: if you haven’t already, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you listen. It helps more Sharks fans find the show.
Steve: We’re keeping this free, no ads, no paywall, which relies entirely on listener support. More on that later, but for now, let’s jump into the mailbag. Megan, you’ve got the first question?
Megan: Okay, here’s one from @SharksFan88 in San Jose: 'Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension. That’s $18.8 million AAV. Is he officially the highest-paid player in the NHL? And does this hurt the rest of the team?'
Steve: Yes, according to the brief, that makes him the highest-paid player in the NHL. It’s a massive number. But remember, Celebrini said he would '100% consider taking less than market value' to help the team. So while the deal is set, the spirit behind it was flexibility.
Megan: Right, so he didn’t have to take it, but he did. Does this create a logjam elsewhere? We know Collin Graf just re-signed for three years and $12.75 million. How do these two fit together financially with the rest of the roster?
Steve: It creates pressure. You have Celebrini at $18.8M, Graf at $4.25M AAV. Then you look at the defensive corps: Darnell Nurse, John Klingberg, Jacob Trouba, Nick Leddy, Dmitry Orlov... that’s five high-priced veterans. Add eight defensemen total, and the cap space gets tight fast.
Megan: And don’t forget the forwards. We’ve got Tyler Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow, Alexander Wennberg, Philipp Kurashev... plus all those younger guys like Will Smith and Gavin McKenna. Where does the money go after Celebrini and Graf?
Steve: That’s why we’ve been talking about trades. Last week, I predicted John Klingberg would be moved before the deadline to alleviate congestion. If the Sharks are serious about building around Celebrini, they need to clear cap space. You can’t carry nine high-end defensemen.
Megan: So, @SharksFan88, the answer is yes, it’s a huge commitment, but it also forces hard decisions. Steve, what’s your read on the timeline? Do we see moves before the opener against Florida?
Steve: I expect activity during training camp. With the next game being Florida at San Jose on October 2nd, they have time to trim the fat. If Klingberg doesn’t make the cut, he’s likely traded or waived. The Sharks can’t afford to keep eight defensemen.
Megan: Alright, moving on. Here’s a question from Sarah in Boston: 'With Macklin Celebrini on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 27, is he getting too much hype? He’s only twenty. Can he handle the pressure of being the face of the league?'
Steve: He’s twenty, yes, but he’s also the youngest ever cover athlete for the series. That’s a milestone. And looking at his rookie season stats—he had points, he drove play—he earned it. The hype isn’t unfounded; it’s based on production.
Megan: But Sarah is worried about the weight of expectation. When you’re the highest-paid player AND the cover athlete, every shift is scrutinized. Does that distract from his game?
Steve: Only if he lets it. From what we’ve seen in the rookie roundtable interviews, he’s grounded. He talks about his game, his embarrassing stories, not just the fame. He seems ready for the spotlight. Plus, having Graf back adds veteran presence to balance him out.
Megan: Graf had 21 goals and 25 assists last season. That’s solid secondary scoring. So Celebrini has a reliable partner. Back to you, Steve. Any other concerns about the hype machine?
Steve: Just keep an eye on his two-way play. Being the face of the league means you’re expected to kill penalties and win faceoffs, not just score. His forecheck will be critical. If he drops his shoulders in the neutral zone, defenses will key on him.
Megan: Great point. Let’s pivot. Next question from @HockeyDad_CA: 'The Sharks have eleven centers. Who is making the final roster? And who is going to be sent down to the AHL?'
Steve: Eleven centers. That’s the headline. You’ve got Alex Barre-Boulet, Ty Dellandrea, Andre Gasseau, Zack Ostapchuk, Michael Misa... plus the top line guys like Celebrini, Graf, Toffoli, Goodrow, Wennberg, and Kurashev. It’s a mess.
Megan: A mess! I love it. So, Steve, walk us through the likely cuts. Who’s safe? Who’s in danger?
Steve: Celebrini, Graf, Toffoli, Goodrow, and Wennberg are locks. That’s five. Kurashev is probably sixth. That leaves two spots for Barre-Boulet, Dellandrea, Gasseau, Ostapchuk, Misa, and Will Smith. Smith is young, so he might start in the AHL to develop.
Megan: So Smith is the odd man out? Or is there a trade chance for one of the veterans? We know the front office likes depth.
Steve: Barre-Boulet and Dellandrea have proven NHL value. They might stay as depth. But Gasseau or Ostapchuk could be exposed in waivers. If no one claims them, they go to San Jose’s AHL affiliate. It’s a brutal competition.
Megan: Brutal. Okay, let’s move to Segment Two. We’re talking roster battles. Question from Marcus in Denver: 'Who is starting in net against Florida? Eric Comrie or Yaroslav Askarov?'
Steve: Ah, the goalie debate. We’ve discussed this before. Last week, I predicted Eric Comrie would start the first few games. Why? Because he’s experienced, steady, and knows the system. Askarov is talented, but he’s unproven at this level.
Megan: But Askarov has the upside. He’s a former first-round pick. Don’t you want to see what he can do early?
Steve: I do, but hockey is about winning. Comrie is the safer bet for the opener. If he struggles, then Askarov gets the call. Kyle Keyser and Alex Nedeljkovic are also on the roster, but they’re unlikely to play unless there’s an injury crisis.
Megan: So Comrie is the No. 1. What about the backup spot? Who takes the second jersey?
Steve: Askarov. He needs playing time. If Comrie sits, Askarov goes. It’s a tandem built for stability first, fireworks second. Unless Askarov dominates camp, he’s the backup.
Megan: Makes sense. Now, a question from @PacificDivisionFan: 'How do the Sharks compare to their Pacific rivals? Are they really contenders, or is the 1st place standing just preseason hype?'
Steve: Wait, hold on. The standings say 1st in the Pacific? That’s because it’s preseason. The record is 0-0-0. It’s meaningless right now. But the potential is there. With Celebrini and Graf, they have offensive firepower.
Megan: But defensively? They have Nurse, Trouba, Klingberg... it’s heavy. Do they have enough speed to keep up with teams like Colorado or Edmonton?
Steve: Speed is the question. Celebrini brings speed, but the defense is slow. They rely on structure and goaltending. If Comrie plays well, they can compete. But against the top teams, they’ll need to limit high-danger chances.
Megan: So, structure over speed. Got it. Final question for this segment from Lisa in Vancouver: 'What is the biggest weakness on this team? And can it be fixed by October 2nd?'
Steve: Depth scoring. Beyond Celebrini, Graf, and Toffoli, who else scores? Kurashev is good, but inconsistent. Goodrow is a grinder. They need someone to step up. If they can’t fix that, they’ll struggle against penalty-killing teams.
Megan: Can it be fixed? Maybe a trade. Remember, we talked about trading Klingberg to acquire scoring. It’s possible. But if not, they’re relying on internal growth.
Steve: Internal growth is risky. But that’s the hand they were dealt. Now, let’s head to Segment Three for some fun stuff.
Megan: Alright, lightening the mood. Question from @SharksTooth: 'If you could swap one Sharks player for any other NHL player for one game, who would it be and why?'
Steve: Ooh, tricky. I’d swap Ryan Reaves for a pure sniper. Reaves is great for intimidation, but against Florida, I want goals. Maybe swap him for a guy like David Pastrnak? Just for that one game.
Megan: Pastrnak! Okay, bold. My turn: I’d swap John Klingberg for a speedy winger. Just to see if the offense wakes up. Klingberg is a legend, but right now, he’s slowing the transition game.
Steve: Fair point. Speed kills. Alright, lightning round. Quick takes. Macklin Celebrini: Overhyped or Underappreciated?
Megan: Underappreciated. He’s doing everything right.
Steve: Collin Graf: Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Megan: Hold. He’s locked in long-term.
Steve: Eric Comrie: Starter or Backup?
Megan: Starter. For now.
Steve: John Klingberg: Traded or Retained?
Megan: Traded. Absolutely.
Steve: Final question: Will the Sharks make the playoffs this year? Yes or No?
Megan: Yes. They have too much talent not to.
Steve: I’ll say Yes, but it’s tight. They need to solve that center logjam quickly.
Megan: There you have it! The Sharks are loaded, messy, and exciting. Macklin Celebrini is leading the charge, and we’re expecting big things from this squad. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Steve: Before we go, we want to remind you that this show is completely free, with no ads and no paywall. That’s only possible because of you. If you enjoy our deep dives and honest takes, please consider supporting us directly. It keeps the lights on and the analysis sharp.
Megan: Head to the link in the episode description to chip in whatever you can. Every bit helps keep Shark coverage daily and ad-free. We appreciate you more than you know.
Steve: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Share this with a friend who loves hockey. We’ll be back tomorrow with more breakdowns.
Megan: Go Sharks! Let’s get that win on October 2nd. See you soon!