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5 Takeaways From Grier’s Exit Interview: Celebrini & Smith Extensions? How Will Sharks Improve Defense? Warsofsky’s Job?
TL;DR
The San Jose Sharks improved significantly this season, gaining 34 points and nearing playoff contention. GM Mike Grier is expected to focus on player extensions and enhancing the team's defense in the off-season.
Key points
- San Jose Sharks improved by 34 points this season
- Macklin Celebrini is identified as a franchise player
- Will Smith and other young stars showed significant growth
- Sharks were close to playoff contention
- GM Mike Grier has an off-season plan to enhance the team
Mentioned in this story
Mike Grier
San Jose SharksMacklin CelebriniWill Smith
Jeff Chiu
It was a successful season for the San Jose Sharks.
They improved 34 points, from 52 to 86 points, and were on the cusp of the playoff race until the last week of the regular season. They established, without a doubt, that they have a franchise player in Macklin Celebrini. They saw lots of growth from other young stars like Will Smith and Sam Dickinson and Collin Graf and Michael Misa, among others.
So what’s San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier’s off-season plan to take his team to the next level?
He’ll have to face potentially massive extensions for Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. RFA Collin Graf is also due a healthy raise.
Will 19-year-old Celebrini be his next captain?
What will he do with UFAs Mario Ferraro, Vincent Desharnais, and Ryan Reaves?
Was he happy with head coach Ryan Warsofsky’s performance this season?
What went wrong for the San Jose Sharks at the end of the year, that caused them to miss the playoffs?
And will prospects Eric Pohlkamp and Leo Sahlin Wallenius join the San Jose Barracuda for their playoff push?
Grier covered all these topics and more on Saturday.
Warsofsky Will Be Back
Warsofsky isn’t going anywhere: Grier was happy with the job that his coaching staff did this season.
“They did a good job,” Grier said. “I think he’s still learning and growing as a coach.”
Read the full article at NBC Sports Bay Area
The post 5 Takeaways From Grier’s Exit Interview: Celebrini & Smith Extensions? How Will Sharks Improve Defense? Warsofsky’s Job? appeared first on San Jose Hockey Now.
Q&A
What are the potential contract extensions for Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith?
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are key players for the Sharks, and discussions about their contract extensions are anticipated as part of GM Mike Grier's off-season strategy.
How did the San Jose Sharks improve their performance this season?
The Sharks improved by 34 points this season, showcasing growth from young stars and positioning themselves close to playoff contention.
What changes will the Sharks make to improve their defense?
GM Mike Grier is expected to implement strategies to enhance the Sharks' defense during the off-season, although specific plans have yet to be detailed.
