SJHN Podcast: Draft Reaction, Free Agency Preview, Marleau Talks Re-Joining Sharks

NASHVILLE — Patrick Marleau joins the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!

But before we get to Mr. Shark, Keegan and Sheng offer their reactions to what the San Jose Sharks did with their nine picks in the 2023 Draft (1:11). Sheng talks about some of the new things that he learned about Michkov in Nashville (2:15) and the rest of the Sharks’ Draft (13:05), headlined by Will Smith. Sheng also shares his belief on who the Sharks would’ve drafted if Adam Fantilli had gone to the Anaheim Ducks at No. 2, like originally expected. We talk about Adam Gajan and the San Jose Sharks not taking a goalie at No. 36 (16:30). Sheng then grades San Jose’s Draft (17:15).

Keegan and Sheng keep the conversation going in Sheng’s Lyft, talking about the San Jose Sharks not qualifying Noah Gregor (17:51) and Jonah Gadjovich (20:52). Keegan talks about today’s RFA decisions as a continuation of Grier’s purging of the old guard’s players, and how the Sharks have opened up spots on the roster for more talented and accomplished forwards who weren’t qualified like Daniel Sprong and Max Comtois (23:30).

Keegan then shares his thoughts about the Draft (27:55). Why Will Smith (28:30)? He’s a big fan of Quentin Musty and Kasper Hultunnen (31:30). He also touched on Brandon Svoboda (32:45), the three straight defensemen, Luca Cagnoni, Axel Lander, Eric Pohlkamp that the San Jose Sharks drafted (34:30), and the Sharks’ last two picks, David Klee and Yegor Rimashevsky. We also talked about how the “Russian factor” wasn’t really a factor (37:15) in the Draft.

Then, we preview the San Jose Sharks and free agency (40:00). Why does Sheng think that Erik Gustafsson might fit the Sharks (41:30)? How about Danton Heinen (44:15)? Keegan then shares his UFA thoughts (44:55). James van Riemsdyk (46:00)?

Finally, Patrick Marleau talks about announcing the Smith pick (49:15), joining the San Jose Sharks front office and the development staff (50:15), becoming a team GM or a President (52:15), working with Mike Ricci (52:45), his family (53:20), and finally, how hard he’s trying to get Joe Thornton to join him in the Sharks front office.

Check out the Marleau video interview, there are some fun cameos!

WARNING: This podcast was recorded on the fly in Nashville and our interview with Patrick Marleau was conducted on a noisy Draft floor, so our video, audio, and internet connection aren’t optimal in this episode. Apologies!

Also listen to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast — it’s a new link — on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and Google Podcasts.