While it's no secret that the San Jose Sharks are in the midst of a public rebuild, with their last playoff appearance dating back to the 2018-2019 season, the team made significant strides in their rebuild efforts this offseason. They secured a key piece in their rebuild with the franchise’s historic first No. 1 overall pick in Macklin Celebrini, who has exceeded expectations so far in his rookie year. They also bolstered their roster with veteran forwards Tyler Toffoli, Alexander Wennberg, and the return of playoff legend Barclay Goodrow. While expectations for success in the 2024-2025 season remain modest, there's still plenty for Sharks fans to be excited about.
Let's take a closer look at how this season is unfolding and how the rebuild is beginning to take shape as the franchise works towards returning to its former glory as a competitive hockey club.
Notable Off-season Acquisitions:
Acquired defensemen Jack Thompson and a 2024 third-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Anthony Duclair and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
I had high hopes when Anthony Duclair joined the Sharks last season, as he had proven to be an underrated and valuable player in the NHL. However, It was evident from the start of his tenure that Duclair was not dedicated to a Sharks rebuild, and his production became more reliable as he eyed a trade away from San Jose. Given the Sharks' current state and the wealth of young talent on the roster, the team needs veteran players who are fully invested in the rebuild and willing to take on leadership roles. There's simply no room for players who aren't committed to the team.
That's why the trade for Jack Thompson was a win for the Sharks. They were able to move on from a player who didn't want to be there while adding a promising young defenseman eager to make an impact in the NHL. Thompson, who has 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 14 games this season, will become a restricted free agent in 2025 but could secure a long-term bottom-four role with the Sharks moving forward.
Acquired left winger Klim Kostin from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for defenseman Radim Simek and a 2024 seventh-round pick.
Radim Šimek was once considered a promising defenseman for the Sharks, but his career has been plagued by injuries, notably an ACL and MCL tear late in the 2018-19 season. Since then, Šimek has struggled to return to his pre-injury form. Given his decline, trading him for Klim Kostin seems like a solid move for the Sharks.
A change of scenery can often help players battling injuries or slumps, which appears to be the case for both Šimek and Kostin. Klim Kostin, who had a slow start with the Detroit Red Wings last season, recording only 4 points in 33 games, has found new life with the Sharks. Through 19 games this season, he’s already tallied 10 points, demonstrating a marked improvement. While the Sharks still have issues to address on defense, Kostin brings a valuable physical presence as a power forward. The 25-year-old Russian is known for his ability to throw hard hits and his willingness to protect younger players on the ice, which the Sharks need as they continue to develop their roster.
As for Šimek, after being traded, he has since moved on from the NHL and signed a contract in June 2024 with HC Bílí Tygři Liberec in his native Czech Republic.
Acquired Center Ty Dellandrea from the Dallas Stars for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Ty Dellandrea, the former Stars 13th overall pick in 2018,
Claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the New York Rangers
Acquired Defensemen Jake Walman and a 2024 second-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for future considerations.
Acquired right winger Carl Grundstrom from Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Kyle Burroughs.
Acquired defensemen Cody Ceci and a 2025 third-round pick from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for defensemen Ty Emberson.
Season comparison from Dec 2023:
The Sharks are currently sitting 29th in the standings out of 32 teams. So far this season, they have posted a 11-17-4 record in 34 games, sitting at 27 points. Last year, the Sharks finished the season with a record of 19-54-9. With 48 games left this season, the Sharks are already on pace to finish the season with more points than last year, which indicates the progress seen from this season to last. However, it is worth mentioning that the Sharks record does not accurately reflect the improved hockey they are playing. Despite blowing a third-period lead in nine consecutive games this season, the Sharks have managed to hold their own against some competitive teams. While the losses are certainly frustrating, there are several positive aspects for Sharks fans to be excited about. The team is actively learning from its mistakes and learning to grow together, which is a significant step in the right direction. Lets just hope that Grier can find a way to hang onto some verteran players as we enter next season with ____ players becoming UFAs.