The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!

In this episode of the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, we break down the San Jose Sharks prospects at the World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS), examine Macklin Celebrini’s Olympic chances, and host a wide-ranging interview with William Eklund's agent Todd Diamond. From the Eklund extension to CHL vs NCAA development paths, this is must-watch content for die-hard fans and hockey nerds alike.

👇 Full episode breakdown:

(00:00) Intro + Ad Read (Bring Hockey Back)
(01:21) Episode Preview (WJSS, Todd Diamond)
(02:46) Why the World Junior Summer Showcase Matters
(05:09) Cole McKinney (USA) Breakdown
(07:18) Leo Sahlin Wallenius (Sweden) Breakdown
(12:30) Sam Dickinson (Canada) Breakdown
(17:07) Michael Misa (Canada) Breakdown
(19:43) Josh Ravensbergen (Canada) Goalie Profile
(22:28) Carson Wetsch (Canada) – Upside & Limitations
(25:12) Gavin McKenna – Future No. 1 Overall?
(26:50) San Jose Sharks' Dream Top-6 Projection: Celebrini, Smith & More
(31:36) Celebrini’s Olympic Roster Team Canada Chances
(59:30) Celebrini & Will Smith Training with Crosby + MacKinnon
(1:03:47) Todd Diamond Joins – Eklund's Wrist Injury & Recovery
(1:04:14) On William Eklund’s Extension, Wrist Emergency
(1:14:08) Jerry Maguire Moment? Eklund’s Calm Demeanor in ER
(1:17:15) Dmitry Orlov’s Fit With San Jose Sharks
(1:18:00) Orlov’s Unhappiness With Carolina Hurricanes
(1:23:15) Danil Gushchin Trade – Why He Was Moved
(1:25:14) Mike Grier's Growth as GM (Agent Perspective)
(1:27:04) Agents Perspective on The Centralized NHL Draft
(1:30:00) Barkov’s Leadership, Contract, Cap Sacrifices & Winning Mentality
(1:32:33) Are California Taxes Overrated in NHL Contract Talks?
(1:34:06) Rising Cap & NHL Revenue Streams – Will Growth Flatten?
(1:38:24) New CBA Rules, NCAA vs CHL Development Debate
(1:52:43) Life as an NHL Agent – Travel, Summer, and the Grind
(1:56:17) Wrap-Up & Farewell

The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!

Two of the OHL’s top analysts, Brock Otten (McKeen’s Hockey) and Will Scouch (Scouching.ca) (1:03:19), break down whether Michael Misa and Sam Dickinson are NHL-ready and if they can crack the San Jose Sharks lineup this season. We also dive into Sharks winger prospects Quentin Musty, Kasper Halttunen, and Igor Chernysov. We also talk Danil Gushchin trade and bold 2025-26 predictions for the prospects.

00:00 Intro & Sponsor
04:19 Why Danil Gushchin Was Traded
19:27 Oskar Olausson: Can He Break Out with San Jose Sharks?
29:47 Thomas Bordeleau & Sharks Development Shift
37:00 Is Michael Misa Skipping College?
41:00 Is Michael Misa NHL Ready?
44:45 Will Sam Dickinson Make the NHL Roster?
56:00 Should Sharks Keep Collin Graf in NHL?
1:03:19 Roundtable with Brock Otten and Will Scouch: Are Sharks OHL Prospects NHL Ready?
1:07:01 Will Michael Misa Make the San Jose Sharks Roster?
1:15:03 What Role Will Misa Play: Wing or Center?
1:24:00 Is Sam Dickinson NHL Ready or Rushed?
1:49:00 Which Sharks Winger Prospect Makes the NHL First?
1:57:00 Ceilings & NHL Comparisons: Musty, Halttunen, Chernysov
2:06:00 Final Thoughts & Sign-Off

The San Jose Hockey Now Podcast is sponsored by Bring Hockey Back!

What does long-time NHL video coach Steve Peters think of the revamped San Jose Sharks?

Peters breaks down ideal lines, shares his dark horse Shark this coming season, and more. (45:07)

But before we get to Peters, Sheng discusses his thoughts about the Ryan Reaves trade. Why might this deal make sense from the San Jose Sharks’ perspective? (3:37)

Why did the Sharks land on free agent sniper Jeff Skinner? (25:24)

How were these moves part of GM Mike Grier’s possible grand plan for 2027-28? The Sharks are doing something different than the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers’ rebuilds. (34:16)

And now, Steve Peters! (45:07)

How does Peters see the Sharks forward lines? (51:42)

Who is Peters’s sleeper Shark this year? (55:40)

Peters thinks it could still be a challenge to find the winger to play with Smith at center. (1:04:31)

Where does Reaves fit in? (1:10:45)

Speaking up for Collin Graf. (1:13:18)

There are a lot of bottom-six guys! (1:18:04)

What about Michael Misa? Why might Penn State not be the best option for him? (1:19:33)

How would Peters put together the San Jose Sharks’ defense? (1:28:38)

How much game do Dmitry Orlov and John Klingberg have left in the tank? (1:32:22)

Can Sam Dickinson stick in the San Jose Sharks’ line-up? (1:40:15)

Let’s talk goaltending! Why does Peters like the addition of Alex Nedeljkovic? (1:45:39)

Will the Sharks’ special teams get better? (1:48:03)

What does Peters think about the different neutral zone forecheck that Ryan Warsofsky instituted late last year? (1:49:54)

Does Peters think this Sharks team is better than last year’s opening night group? (1:55:20)

Finally, I ask Peters about his experience as video coach for Team North America at the 2016 World Cup.