San Jose Sharks hope rookie infusion helps spark a resurgence after 5 straight down seasons

San Jose Sharks

Last season: 19-54-9, missed playoffs.

COACH: Ryan Warsofsky, hired June 13.

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis.

DEPARTURES: F Mike Hoffman, D Kyle Burroughs, coach David Quinn.

ADDITIONS: Warsofsky, F Macklin Celebrini, F Will Smith, F Tyler Toffoli, D Jake Walman, D Cody Ceci, G Yaroslav Askarov.

GOALIES: Vitek Vanecek (17-9-3, 3.18 goals-against average, 0.890 save percentage), Mackenzie Blackwood (10-25-4, 3.45, 0.899), Askarov (30-13-1, 2.39, .911 in AHL).

BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 400-1.

What to expect

After finishing with the worst record in the NHL last season, the Sharks have reason for optimism after winning the lottery and drafting Hobey Baker Award winner Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick. Celebrini will team with 2023 first-rounder Will Smith as part of a youth movement that San Jose hopes will get the franchise back to the postseason soon after missing out the past five seasons. The Sharks brought in some veteran depth to help the young players in Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow and Ty Dellandrea. San Jose acquired heralded goaltending prospect Askarov over the summer from Nashville in hopes of finding a long-term answer in the net but he may need time. The Sharks should be considerably improved from last season but still are likely at least another year away for competing for the playoffs.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: The youth movement led by Celebrini and Smith, who are projected as top six forwards as rookies. They join returning players like William Eklund, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Fabian Zetterlund as the next generation of players who are being counted on to lead a turnaround for the Sharks.

The not-so-good: While the forward group got a boost, there are still big questions on defense for a team that allowed the most goals in the NHL last season. San Jose brought in veterans like Wallman and Ceci and hope better goaltending will also help.

Players to watch

Besides the rookie forwards, there will be a lot of focus on the health of captain Logan Couture. He played only six games last season because of a groin injury and there is no timeline for when he can return to the ice. San Jose traded a first-round pick to acquire Askarov from Nashville with the hope he can fill the No. 1 goalie void.

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The Associated Press