San Jose Sharks
Sharks Locker Room: Kostin’s Teammates Had His Back Through Tough Times, Most Dangerous Lines in 6 Years?
These are the best San Jose Sharks lines since 2018-19.
That’s probably the last time that the Sharks rolled three dangerous lines on a consistent basis.
Every line scored in an 8-5 San Jose Sharks’ victory over the Seattle Kraken on Friday, Jake Walman (twice), Timothy Liljegren, Will Smith, Klim Kostin, Mikael Granlund, Macklin Celebrini, and Ethan Cardwell.
Just look up the middle to understand the improved Sharks: Macklin Celebrini (5-4-9 in his last 7), Mikael Granlund (San Jose’s leading scorer), and Alex Wennberg (3-4-7 in his last 7) form the deepest group of top-three centers that the Sharks have deployed in a long time.
“Everybody can bring something to the table. There’s some deepness in this team,” Granlund said.
“They’ve been consistent in their play,” San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said of his trio of centermen.
Compare the top-three centers, by ATOI, this season versus others.
2023-24: Granlund, Tomas Hertl, Nico Sturm
2022-23: Hertl, Logan Couture, Nick Bonino
2021-22: Hertl, Couture, Bonino
2020-21: Couture, Hertl, Dylan Gambrell
2019-20: Couture, Hertl, Joe Thornton (Age: 40)
The biggest difference is the addition of a third-line center in his prime like Wennberg.
After the game, Warsofsky talked about Klim Kostin’s strong performance.
Kostin discussed how his San Jose Sharks teammates have backed up in tough times.
Cardwell spoke about his first NHL goal.
Granlund praised linemate Kostin.
Ryan Warsofsky
Warsofsky, on Kostin:
For sure, he can play the game. He is a big guy. He’s got good skill. Can hold onto pucks down low. He sees the ice well. Sometimes, it’s needs to stay within himself, he gets a little bit out of his toolset. Lately he hasn’t done that, and his game has flourished for that.
Warsofsky on Kostin: "When Klim's engaged, he's a big, forceful player out there. I coached against him in the finals when I was in the American League, he was in Springfield, and our whole team couldn't stand him. That's the type of player he is. I don't think it has anything to…
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 30, 2024
Klim Kostin
Kostin, on his fight with Will Borgen & standing up for Mikael Granlund: "I'm not a big fan of fights for no reason…that guy [Will Borgen was] asking Granny for a fight. Players like Granny, they never fight, they play hockey. So just decided to step up."
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 29, 2024
It sounds like Kostin's #SJSharks teammates were really there for him recently, in a tough stretch where he was scratched for 8 straight games: "I just realized one thing, not that long time ago, that when you're going through some tough moments in your career, that's where you…
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 29, 2024
Me: Do you know what a Gordie Howe Hat Trick is?
Kostin: I've had it before. (laughs) I watch hockey.
(Kostin's first was on 12/7/22 with the Oilers)
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 29, 2024
Ethan Cardwell
Cardwell, on his first NHL goal and where the puck is going:
I think I blacked out there for a minute. It was an awesome moment, special, everything I dreamed of, and to have a crowd go crazy like that and see all the boys’ excitement, coming to the bench, made it all that much worth it.
It’s going back home. Just get it in my parents’ hands. Obviously, they’ve been such a big part of my career and stuff. So we’ll be able to put it up in the basement
Mikael Granlund
Granlund, on Kostin’s performance:
Klim was awesome. When he’s skating, he can be a really, really effective player in this league. He was going tonight. It’s fun to play with him when he does that. Obviously I got the chance to play with him last season, quite a few games. That guy is a hockey player. When he’s moving like that, he’s a really good player.
“These are the best San Jose Sharks lines since 2018-19.”
I agree about todays’s lineup.
The Sharks put up an 8 spot for the first game of the season without their waiver wire pick up from the summer. Coincidence?
They had seven with him in the lineup earlier in the week dude 😂.
They did! Very good memory, dude. But where I come from, eight is better than seven 🤣.
Just thought it was interesting to note that the first game he didn’t play in, the team had their best offensive output of the season so far.
I’ll be sporting my autographed #19 sweater Saturday night at the stupid-named-arena-under-the-old-roof in Seattle.
Hope they put on as good of a show.
I love it that Seattle named their arena such.
Just call it Woke Arena and be done with it. I mean, we’re talkin’ Seattle here.
Pretty much the level of dumb I’ve come to expect from you. Good job.👏
Y’all better be laying some respect on my boy Kostin’s name for this recent stretch of game! ;P
Totally agree, keep playing like that and no way he can be taken out of the lineup
We’ll see how long it lasts. Seems like a nice kid who struggles with confidence.
The sharks are building something special. Mike Grier will be a candidate for gm of year. Outstanding job by him. Wennberg is such a surprise. He’s showing off skill and a solid two way game. He’s a great third line center and would flourish in the second spot possibly. Only at quarter pole but as a sj fan for two decades this new team feels different than sharks of yesteryear. And to think Dickinson is marinating in ohl with Haltunnen! Griersy has done nothing but impress me and his attainment of Askararov was masterful. Wasn’t even on anyone’s radar. Walman… Read more »
Mike Grier already is the Executive of the Year. Just ask him.
You’re dumb.
After Cardwell’s goal, they showed a woman crying happy tears on the Jumbotron.
Was that his mom? If so, that’s so nice she was there. Shades of Hurtle’s 4 goal game.
It wasn’t. He clarified in his post game interview