Five Sharks storylines to watch as training camp begins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
Here’s what to look for as the Sharks open their 2024 NHL training camp on Thursday.
Let’s go from the front to the back.
When Will the Franchise Be the Franchise?
Make no mistake, that’s the pressure on No. 1 overall 2024 NHL Draft pick Macklin Celebrini’s shoulders.
It’s not just because he was a first-overall selection — he’s also one of the most highly-touted first-overall picks of the last decade.
Can he become the franchise star? And how soon?
It’s important to have patience. For example, 1997 first-overall pick Joe Thornton put up just three goals and four assists in 55 games in his rookie NHL season. In 2008, No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos scored just three goals in the first two months of his debut campaign but finished the year with 23.
Both Thornton and Stamkos ended up just fine, carving out Hall of Fame careers.
What’s Going on With Couture?
Captain Logan Couture played just six games last season because of a deep groin issue.
He was originally scheduled to start skating in July, but at the last check in early September, he still hadn’t hit the ice yet.
It’s fair to fear the worst for Couture’s career. He’s 35 and hasn’t played at an elite level in 18 months.
All we can do is hope for the best.
“We’re trying to attack this thing with different types of rehab and maybe something will click here,” Couture told San Jose Sharks play-by-play announcer Dan Rusanowsky on Wednesday.
Rookie Reaction?
Obviously, Celebrini’s adjustment to the NHL will get a lot of headlines.
But just as important, how will 2023 No. 4 overall pick Will Smith acclimate?
Celebrini and Smith have drawn favorable comparisons to three-time Stanley Cup-winning duo Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. Those are, of course, big skates to fill, even immediately. Both Kane and Toews were star players from the get-go: 2007 No. 1 overall pick Kane won the Calder Trophy in 2008, while 2006 No. 3 pick Jonathan Toews finished third in the voting.
The Sharks would be thrilled if their new dynamic duo could have that kind of instant impact. But remember, that’s the bar, not the expectation.
San Jose’s 2023 No. 26 overall…