Author: JD Young

Host of Locked on Sharks, saved the franchise once.

Matt Benning Season Preview

Matt Benning was one of Mike Grier’s first signings last season, and he looks to be a very underrated signing by Grier. Benning signed a four-year deal worth $5 million ($1.25m AAV) on the first day of free agency in 2021. In his first season with the San Jose Sharks, Benning had a career-high in […]

Three Big Questions Surrounding the Sharks Forwards

The San Jose Sharks enter this season with several questions in their forward group. After doing a player-by-player preview of the upcoming season, several of the same questions kept popping up for the Sharks. Which Rehab Project Works Out? When saddled with a bad team, Mike Grier did what a good General Manager should do. […]

Filip Zadina Season Preview

Filip Zadina represents one of the biggest hopes in San Jose. Although he doesn’t turn 24 until November, he is preparing to play in his fifth full season in the NHL. Zadina is a former sixth overall draft pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018 NHL Draft. In 190 games, Zadina has scored […]

San Jose Sharks Rookie Faceoff Preview

The unofficial end of summer is here. On Friday, the San Jose Sharks play a game. It’s a rookie faceoff game, but a game nonetheless. The baby Sharks are scheduled to play three games over four days. Friday 9/15/23:Sharks vs. Kings 1 pm PT Saturday 9/16/23:Golden Knights vs. Sharks 7 pm PT Monday 9/18/23:Coyotes vs. […]

Fabian Zetterlund Season Preview

Every player reacts differently to getting traded midseason. For Fabian Zetterlund, it had to be a shock to go from one of the most dynamic young teams in the NHL, the New Jersey Devils, to well, the San Jose Sharks. Acquired in the deal that sent Timo Meier to New Jersey. Zetterlund was one of […]

Nico Sturm Season Preview

When Mike Grier was hired last season, one of his first moves in free agency was signing center Nico Sturm. Sturm was coming off winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche after being traded from the Minnesota Wild. Sturm had played a fourth-line role for the Avalanche. In the thirteen playoff games Sturm suited […]

Givani Smith Season Preview

San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier wants to build a competitive, tough, skilled team. Newly signed, forward Givani Smith brings the toughness in spades. When Luke Kunin was lost for the season last December, the Sharks lost some of that toughness. Jonah Gadjovich filled in admirably in that aspect but also dealt with injuries […]

Jacob Peterson Season Preview

Every once in a while, a player-for-player trade works out for both teams, and that seems to be the case in the Jacob Peterson for Scott Reedy trade that happened at last year’s trade deadline. When Mike Grier sent Reedy to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Peterson, many fans scratched their heads about the […]

Oskar Lindblom Season Preview

Out of all of Mike Grier’s first crop of free agents, no one disappointed more than Oskar Lindblom last season. After being bought out by the Philadelphia Flyers, Mike Grier quickly signed Lindblom to a two-year $5 million contract. Lindblom was expected to come in and compete for the vacant winger position on the second […]

Kevin Labanc Season Preview

Kevin Labanc is the San Jose Sharks version of The Rorschach test. The analytics say he is good, but there is a reason that David Quinn is the third straight coach to have Labanc in his proverbial doghouse. As Kevin Labanc starts his eighth season in the NHL, what has he established himself as? Early […]