The lack of San Jose Sharks hockey has been brutal.
How is everyone’s summer going? We are right in the thick of it now. The Draft is two months past. The free agency craze has come and gone.
However, we are about a week and a half from September. That means training camp is now on the horizon.
That’s a silver lining, but camp is still a few weeks away.
So for now, here are some things that have been on my mind.
Does Will Smith Get His Extension Before the Season?
GM Mike Grier locked Macklin Celebrini up long-term. The Sharks’ future captain signed a 5-year, $94 million contract a few weeks ago. Will Smith is also extension-eligible this offseason. Fans are eager (and starting to worry) for his extension.
So why has Smith not signed an extension yet? No doubt the Leo Carlsson contract has something to do with that. Carlsson signed an unprecedented five-year, $90 million contract. He then became the measuring stick for all young players looking at their future extensions.
Smith could have negotiated a deal similar to what Carlsson was expected to receive. His camp should still seek a similar number, but that may be too out of reach. The Sharks could afford it, but it will hurt in the long run. Grier still hopes to sign Smith this offseason. Only time will tell if that deal is completed.
Is Michael Misa Going to Have an Explosive Season?
Michael Misa did not have the best start to his NHL journey. The Sharks wanted to play it slow with him, similar to Smith’s rookie year. However, Misa sustained an injury that kept him out of the lineup for a couple of months.
Misa played for Team Canada in the World Junior tournament. Once that was completed, he returned to the Sharks and was a mainstay in the lineup for the rest of the season. He centered the third line that had second-line potential.
Now, Misa will look to take the next step. He showed flashes of what he can do last year. He could be a future top-line center. However, with Celebrini in that role, Misa will look to anchor the second line. And if the Sharks can roll two top lines out every night, the offense could put up historical numbers. Misa has to show he is up to the task.
Credit: San Jose Sharks-Twitter/XWill Sam Dickinson Start Putting up the Offensive Numbers He Had in Juniors?
Sam Dickinson had a great season. However, the offensive numbers do not indicate that. In 72 games, Dickinson had one goal and 13 assists. In his final year with the London Knights, he scored 29 goals and added 62 assists in 55 games.
Here is my thought about Dickinson and the Sharks’ development plan. First, going from Juniors directly to the NHL is extremely difficult. He had some slip-ups defensively, but for the most part he played well. And that was the goal. Develop the defensive game in real time.
I believe the Sharks wanted Dickinson to focus more on defense than offense. The offense will not go away. They just put it on the back burner. As he continues to develop, though, the Sharks will start to let Dickinson show his offensive skill. The goals and assists will come.
What Are the Sharks Doing With Quentin Musty?
I have been on the Quentin Musty bandwagon ever since the Sharks drafted him in 2024. This kid can be a special player; he has the raw talent.
Musty has been given a similar plan to Dickinson: develop the two-way game. His offense can be special, but Grier is known for wanting those defense-minded forwards.
This season, though, it will be tough for Musty to make the Sharks. With all of the additions the Sharks made, Musty is going to have to work his hardest to force Grier and head coach Ryan Warsofsky to make difficult decisions. For me, I really hope this will be Musty’s year.
Hockey unofficially comes back September 12 with the NHL Rookie Faceoff. San Jose will host the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, Utah Mammoth, and Vegas Knights for a four-day rookie tournament.
Soon, folks, soon!
