Sharks Position Battles: LW1
While Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith were stalwarts on the San Jose Sharks' top line during the 2025-26 season, the left wing spot rotated fairly regularly. Heading into the 2026-27 season, there are a number of options who could compete for the final spot on the first line.
Video Transcript
Well, I mean, it's low-hanging fruit, but I'd have to say Toronto, was the biggest winner because, you know, they, they made, you know, they basically remade their entire bottom six, and they added a number one goaltender.
Now, whether th- th- this, you know, mix will work, we won't know until, you know, Jim Hiller, gets them all together at training camp and going forward to the regular season.
But I think they added enough impact players and, and some depth players between the draft and now free agency that they'll, they'll be sort of in the mix for the playoffs again.
And you know what?
We got some breaking no- news here.
Nick Paul acquired by Toronto for Dennis Hildeby.
So we were talking earlier in the show about, that goaltending depth, and now they flipped it for Nick Paul, who, kinda funny, historically a Leaf killer.
So it's like Bobrovsky and Nick Paul.
It's like you don't have to beat 'em.
You got them to join you.
So I mean, I would definitely agree with, Mike.
I mean, Toronto clearly a winner.
And then I would say San Jose as well we talked about earlier in the show.
The Sharks are, are definitely in a better position now, than they were a month ago.
And, it'll be fun to see what they can do as well.
Yeah, Nick Paul only- Nick Paul's a center, right?
Yeah.
Nick Paul only played- Or wing.
Yeah.
Some of these guys are gonna have to play on the wing.
Well, I think- This is kinda like what a Raslovic should be on the wing.
I think, I think this means that r- that Nick Paul is your third line center pl- and that, that Raslovic is probably playing, top line or second line right wing.
You know, probably with, with Matthews.
It, that makes more sense now, which takes them out of the, you know, Patrick Kane sweepstakes, 'cause that was another rumored, potential thing for, for Toronto.
But, yeah, they've added some beef on the, on the bottom six.
I mean, Nick Paul's a big body, and you add him to the, the, the players that they've already had, and that, that's significant for the Leafs.
Yeah, it feels like, there's a large contingent of Toronto Maple Leafs fans and reporters who probably owe John Chayka a huge apology
