San Jose Barracuda
Craig Button on Macklin Celebrini Olympic Prediction | Should Misa Stay in NHL?
Craig Button predicted that Macklin Celebrini would make the Canadian Olympic team in July. What made him so confident in the San Jose Sharks’ teen sensation?
The TSN Draft guru also discusses Michael Misa’s performance so far at the World Junior Championships and his top 2026 Draft prospects.
Does Button think that Misa should return to the San Jose Sharks after WJCs, or go back to the OHL? Is Gavin McKenna still No. 1 on his 2026 Draft board?
Button shares his thoughts on Sam Dickinson, Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Igor Chernyshov, and keeping Mario Ferraro, too.
Of course, San Jose Sharks legend Dan Boyle has won an Olympic gold medal for Canada, in 2010.
Dan shares his experiences as an Olympic taxi squad member in 2006 and starring in the 2010 Winter Games. What’s his advice to Celebrini?
In addition, Sharks insider Sheng Peng, prospects guru Keegan McNally, and Sharks expert Zubair Jeewanjee talk about San Jose’s recent winning streak, Zack Ostapchuk, Yaroslav Askarov, the Kiefer Sherwood rumor, and what GM Mike Grier should do with his many UFA’s.
(15:00) Dan Boyle recounts his Olympic experiences
(39:30) Has anybody crossed the Randy Hahn Rubicon: Does anybody think that the Sharks are making the playoffs?
(44:30) What should the San Jose Sharks with their many UFA’s?
(1:11:35) Praising Igor Chernyshov, Yaroslav Askarov, Zack Ostapchuk, and Vincent Iorio
(2:25:50) Craig Button joins!
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This team is making the playoffs and here’s why:
https://themacklinyears.substack.com/p/sharks-match-last-seasons-full-win
Excellent read
You could have saved a lot of typing and just said, “Because Randy Hahn said so”. 😜🤣
Good read. I’ll come back to this. One can almost look at this team and divide it into 2 seasons. The first 6 games (0-4-2) and everything that’s happened since. The goal differential is an example. It doesn’t look good over the entirety of the season, but its just about even from game 7 on. Some people might say that you have to “include everything.” But really, the team, viewed from game 7 onward, is simply a much more accurate view of what this team is. Still, it has been a weird season in a lot of respects and that’s… Read more »
Can’t remember who was beating the drum with me at the beginning when some here were in full panic mode. With the huge percentage of roster turnover this team had it was going to take a month or so to sort out guys playing the system properly, sort out chemistry, sort out the lines and who the gamers were. They turned it around faster than even thought possible. Point being that no matter how bad it looked early, it wouldn’t be a fair representation of what this roster could be.
Key part is trade deadline part. That’s how I would answer, if they sell or stay put, then probably not. They very well could make a big deal for a key piece, in which case they very well could make the playoffs.
At first I was thinking Sheng was strongly advocating bringing back the UFAs and not trading anyone, similar to Granlund, but I actually agree 100% with his take. If you deal the guys, the price has to be high. But I think they should be seeking that high price actively
Sheng was wrong about Granny. Grier made the right call letting him walk.
Chernyshov is what has made the Sharks more than 50% to make the playoffs, imo. His arrival and what he’s shown so far is a huge piece. When Smith is back, if the other core pieces stay healthy, this is a good team. And people need to start expecting more, sooner, from the team. Crosby got Malkin and Staal in his second year and the Penguins were immediately good and won the Cup in his 4th year. They didn’t need 5-6 years of maturation to get into Cup contention. Celebrini has Smith and Chernyshov, with Misa coming (crucially a center… Read more »
Anyone they add has to be a long term fit and come with a contract.
I didn’t downvote you. I don’t play those games. That’s for peabrains who get mad. It’s an interesting parallel but I think Pitt was in more of a unique window than SJ is, or will be in the next couple years, at least as far as the defensemen go. Regarding possible comparison to Malkin, I’m sure Misa will come on as he fills out and gets stronger but Malkin was already a tall, lanky, strong power center who gave defensemen fits when he came into the league. He didn’t join the Penguins until his D+3 season so was more physically… Read more »
So many possible directions the Sharks can pursue these next few months. It’s fascinating as a dedicated fan and amateur GM, but, it’s all about Mike Grier. I trust him, he’s done a great job. I don’t think any of us know which direction he is going to choose, but I’m hitching myself to his wagon. We all think we know what this team needs, but it’s the subtleties and nuances that may dictate decisions before the tdl. Get it right Mike!
With you 100%.
Funny, I used to hate this guy but now he’s my favorite guest.
lol! Love my “fan”.😜🤣😘
That was an interesting part about Chernyshov playing so responsibly. Would like to hear the guys talk about which players have had the lowest risk profiles thus far, entering the league. It’s probably a close call between Cherny (small sample size I realize) and Graf. Mackiln and Will are just more creative, different players, who were probably given longer leashes. Even Mack forced a lot of plays and was giving the puck away a lot at first.
Good that Cherny has probably already earned a lot of trust with Warso.