Megan: Eleven centers. Eight defensemen. One starting goalie spot that nobody wants to lose. If you think the San Jose Sharks have a crowded locker room, wait until you hear who is fighting for ice time in training camp.
Steve: It’s not just about volume, Megan. It’s about fit. We’ve got Macklin Celebrini signed to an $18.8 million annual deal, making him the highest-paid player in hockey history, and Collin Graf locked in for three years. But where do they all go?
Megan: Welcome to today’s episode of the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Megan, and this is your daily dive into the Sharks’ pre-season landscape. Steve is here with the tactical breakdown.
Steve: Happy Saturday, fans. We’re looking at the roster battles ahead of the October 2nd opener against the Florida Panthers. It’s going to be tight.
Megan: Here is what we are tackling today. First, we break down the center ice congestion—is it a blessing or a burden? Second, we look at the left wing depth chart with Kiefer Sherwood and Mason Marchment. And third, we predict which players make the final cut and who gets sent down.
Steve: And we’ll address the goalie battle between Eric Comrie and Yaroslav Askarov again, because if there is one thing we know, it’s that this decision defines the season's start.
Megan: Let’s get right into the heart of the matter. Segment One: The Center Ice War.
Steve: So, eleven centers. That is the headline. You have Macklin Celebrini, obviously, leading the charge. Then you have Tyler Toffoli coming in as a veteran presence, and Alex Barre-Boulet, Ty Dellandrea, Barclay Goodrow, Philipp Kurashev, Michael Misa, Zack Ostapchuk, Will Smith, Alexander Wennberg, and Andre Gasseau.
Megan: That is a staggering number, Steve. When you say 'eleven centers,' are we talking about playing them all? Or is this purely about competition for spots?
Steve: It’s about competition for spots, but also about versatility. Celebrini is the franchise cornerstone. He’s twenty years old, on the cover of NHL 27, and he’s getting paid like a superstar. He’s not moving off the first line.
Megan: Right, and we talked yesterday about how his contract impacts the cap space available for these other guys. So who is chasing him for top-six minutes?
Steve: Tyler Toffoli brings scoring experience. Philipp Kurashev brings speed and forechecking. But then you have Will Smith, the rookie sensation from the roundtable. He’s young, he’s skilled, but can he handle the NHL grind right out of the gate?
Megan: Will Smith was so impressive in that rookie roundtable discussion. But let’s talk about the veterans. Barclay Goodrow and Alexander Wennberg. Are they fighting for jobs, or are they expected to be locks?
Steve: Goodrow is a lock for his style. He provides grit, penalty killing, and defensive responsibility. Wennberg is more of a two-way pivot. The question is whether the Sharks want him on the fourth line or if he can push for third-line minutes alongside someone like Kurashev.
Megan: What about the rookies? Zack Ostapchuk and Andre Gasseau. Do they have a realistic shot at making the team, or are they destined for the AHL?
Steve: Ostapchuk has size and skill. If he shows he can win board battles, he might squeeze in. Gasseau is faster, more of a playmaker. But with eleven centers, I suspect at least four or five of these names are looking at Rochester or San Jose’s affiliate for the start of the season.
Megan: That is a lot of bodies to manage. It reminds me of our prediction from last week about John Klingberg needing to be moved to clear space. Does this center congestion force their hand even more?
Steve: Absolutely. The front office is trying to balance the cap, the roster construction, and the desire to give young players like Celebrini and Smith a chance. It’s a puzzle. And if Klingberg doesn’t move, they might have to waive someone else to make room for the right mix.
Megan: We need to take a quick breath here. Before we move to the wingers, I want to ask you something directly.
Megan: If you love hearing us break down these complex roster moves, help us keep the show free and daily. Your support covers the research, the editing, and keeps the feed running. Grab a coffee with us via the link in the episode description.
Steve: Every bit helps. Thank you for being part of the community. Now, let’s get back to the ice.
Megan: Segment Two: Left Wing and Right Wing Battles. Let’s start on the left side. You have Mason Marchment, Pavol Regenda, and Kiefer Sherwood. Who wins those top-nine spots?
Steve: Kiefer Sherwood is the incumbent. He brings physicality and edge. Marchment brings size and net-front presence. Regenda is the wild card—a younger player with upside but less proven NHL consistency.
Megan: So it sounds like Sherwood and Marchment are the favorites. What about the right wing? Collin Graf just signed that three-year, $12.75 million deal after 21 goals last year. Is he a lock?
Steve: Graf is definitely a lock for a top-six role. His production speaks for itself. But who plays next to him? You have Ethan Cardwell, Adam Gaudette, Brett Leason, and Ryan Reaves.
Megan: Ryan Reaves? On the right wing? That’s interesting. Usually, he’s a fourth-line energy guy.
Steve: Exactly. Reaves provides toughness. But if the Sharks want to score against Florida, they might prefer Leason or Cardwell for their offensive skills. It’s a clash of styles. Do they want to fight or score first?
Megan: I feel like Graf needs skill on the wing to maximize his two-way game. So maybe Leason pushes for that spot. What about the defense corps? Eight defensemen is also a lot.
Steve: You have Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, Nick Leddy, Dmitry Orlov, Sam Dickinson, Nolan Allan, Michael Kesselring, and... well, that’s seven. Wait, let me check the list again. Yes, eight defensemen total including Klingberg potentially still there.
Megan: Nurse and Trouba are the big names. They bring leadership and heavy minutes. Leddy and Orlov are more experienced, steady defenders. How does the coach use them?
Steve: Trouba and Nurse will likely form the top pairing. Leddy and Orlov provide stability on the second pair. The battle is for the bottom six spots. Dickinson and Allan are younger, high-upside picks. Kesselring is the safe, reliable option.
Megan: So the young defensemen are fighting for every shift. That must be intense in practice.
Steve: It is. Every zone entry matters. Every breakout pass counts. If Dickinson makes a mistake in the neutral zone, he’s looking over his shoulder. The competition is fierce.
Megan: And this ties back to the goalie situation. With all this talent, the nets are the final battleground.
Steve: Right. Eric Comrie vs. Yaroslav Askarov. We’ve discussed this before. Comrie has NHL experience. Askarov is the prospect with the higher ceiling.
Megan: Our prediction from earlier episodes was that Comrie starts the first few games. Do you still stand by that?
Steve: I do. Until Askarov proves otherwise in camp, Comrie is the safer bet for a 0-0-0 record start. But if Askarov steals the job, the whole tone of the season changes.
Megan: One save from Askarov could change everything. Let’s move to our final segment.
Megan: Segment Three: Roster Cut Predictions. Who is trending up? Who is trending down? And who is heading home?
Steve: Trending up: Macklin Celebrini. No surprise there. He’s the face of the franchise. Also trending up: Collin Graf. His contract signals confidence. He’s staying.
Megan: Who is trending down? I’m thinking about some of the older veterans who might not fit the new timeline.
Steve: Alexander Wennberg might be trending down if they decide to go younger. Andre Gasseau is risky. If he doesn’t show immediate impact, he’s out. Same with Brett Leason if he struggles to finish chances.
Megan: What about the defensemen? Who gets cut?
Steve: If Klingberg isn’t traded, he’s a bubble guy. But assuming he goes, Michael Kesselring is the most likely to make the team among the lower-tier defensemen. Sam Dickinson and Nolan Allan are competing for the last spot.
Megan: So, my prediction: The final roster has Celebrini, Graf, Toffoli, Kurashev, Smith, and Goodrow on the forwards. Sherwood, Marchment, and Leason on the wings. Nurse, Trouba, Leddy, Orlov, Dickinson, Allan, and Kesselring on defense. Comrie in net.
Steve: That’s a solid projection. It leaves Ostapchuk, Gasseau, Wennberg, Cardwell, Gaudette, Reaves, and possibly Klingberg or one of the other defensemen out. That’s a lot of good players missing the bus.
Megan: It hurts, but it’s hockey. The Sharks have depth. Now, let’s wrap it up.
Megan: To recap: Eleven centers, eight defensemen, and a goalie battle that will define the start. Macklin Celebrini is the king, Collin Graf is locked in, and everyone else is fighting for survival.
Steve: The Sharks are 0-0-0, sitting first in the Pacific Division on paper. But paper doesn’t win games. Ice does.
Megan: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. Share it with a fellow Shark fan.
Steve: We’ll see you on game day. Go Sharks!