Links
SJHN Daily: Toffoli Denied Hangout With Celebrini, Smith Film Room, Graf & Mukhamadullin Recalled
Will Smith is hitting his groove.
The young forward is on a six-game point streak. He has eight goals and 22 points in 46 games as a 19-year-old. These totals place him eighth in points on the San Jose Sharks and fifth among NHL rookies.
His scoring uptick is among many compliments David St. Louis gave Smith in Elite Prospects:
In the video, St. Louis breaks down some of Smith’s shifts against the Boston Bruins, where the youngster had a goal and assist. But, Smith’s offensive game is not the only thing that has improved during his recent hot streak.
“Smith is also becoming a bit more attentive in the defensive end,” St. Louis said. “He’s moving better, staying above his man, and denying passing lanes better than before.”
Previously, some media members, including St. Louis, posited that the Sharks should send Will Smith down to the AHL. But it’s nice to see him change his tune a little, which he did at greater length in this article.
“[Smith is] probably going to continue having his ups and downs, but at the midpoint of the season, he looks like he’s on a better development track than before,” St. Louis said.
AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…
Emergency podcast! Keegan and Sheng break down the Mikael Granlund trade. Could the San Jose Sharks have re-signed Granlund or Cody Ceci? Did the Dallas Stars give a worthwhile return? What did Granlund bring to the team off the ice?
How do Macklin Celebrini and other young San Jose Sharks feel about the Granlund trade?
Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes talks about coaching a young Will Smith in an insightful interview.
Vitek Vanecek talks about recovering from fractured cheek.
AHL All-Star Andrew Poturalski helped transform San Jose Barracuda locker room.
Yaroslav Askarov has brought a ton of swagger to the Cuda.
OTHER SHARKS NEWS…
This fan made a photoshop of Will Smith, the Sharks saw it and traded a puck for it and then hung it up in the locker room 🤣
(via @pacificteal) pic.twitter.com/bFdSTc418V
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 3, 2025
The Sharks recalled Collin Graf and Shakir Mukhamadullin from the Barracuda.
Dad took the kids out for some Friday night hoops 😁 pic.twitter.com/leErI2xoTP
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) February 1, 2025
If Yaroslav Askarov was coming to #AHLAllStar, you knew he was going put on a show. The @sjbarracuda netminder walked it off after shutting it down during the Breakaway Relay. @TheAHL #AHL #AHLAllStar #TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/EjhYPGABnx
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) February 3, 2025
Acquiring Mikael Granlund sends “all-in” message from Jim Nill to the Dallas Stars.
Tyler Toffoli (unsuccessfully) tried to bid on a trip to a Warriors game with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith at a Sharks charity auction 😭
(via IG/catbtoffoli) pic.twitter.com/bOPFaTmLc5
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 3, 2025
Congrats, Vitek and Kristyna!
Congratulations in order to Carl and Wilma Grundstrom too, who just had their first!
AROUND THE NHL…
The Florida Panthers visit the White House.
Canadian fans boo United States’ national anthem.
Mackenzie Blackwood posts back-to-back shutouts
Todd McLellan still impressive so far with Detroit Red Wings.
There are three names and logos in consideration for the future of the Utah Hockey Club.
Artyom Levshunov recalled by the Chicago Blackhawks.
Can Boko Imama stay with the Pittsburgh Penguins?
Ryan Hartman is suspended for 10 games.
Sammy Walker was sent to the Utah Hockey Club for future considerations.
David Pastrnak nets hat trick against New York Rangers.
Kirill Marchenko will be out with a broken jaw.
