Running through some comments from the first day of the San Jose Sharks’ training camp and the excitement is high. Captain Logan Couture didn’t shy away from the media, saying he could feel the energy as he came to the arena this morning. As for William Eklund, he talked about his plans for the upcoming season as well as Macklin Celebrini. Barclay Goodrow touched base on what happened over the summer as well as what it’s like to be back in San Jose.
Couture candid about his injury
After telling Dan Rusanowsky yesterday that he’s still working through his injury, Couture took questions from the media to open up training camp. The 35-year-old said he went back to Canada over the summer, spent time with his son, and then returned to San Jose in July with the hopes of skating. But it didn’t happen. Couture hasn’t skated since Jan. 31 in Anaheim and says there’s no “immediate plan” to get back on the ice.
“It’s been a lot better since that last game I played in January. It really flared up on me then, and it was a tough few weeks,” said Couture. “Definitely a tough few days not being able to move too well. Hasn’t gotten that bad since then. So, I’m grateful for that.”
Couture says there have been a lot of “highs and lows” and “ups and downs” mentally, but he’s learned “how to deal with it.”
“I played hockey for 30-plus years, and when it just ends abruptly, it’s difficult, especially when you don’t really have a choice,” said Couture. “The body just breaks down. But that’s the way professional sports, or sports in general, normally work. Not always injuries, sometimes other reasons, but that’s the situation I’m in.”
When pressed further for details about the injury, Couture didn’t say much, vaguely mentioning “off-ice rehab” and exercises in the gym. He says the positive is that this is something that other players have dealt with, and that’s helped him.
While he’s not sure when he’ll be back on the ice, he’s optimistic.
“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t believe that. We’re trying,” said Couture. “We have a really good team here with the Sharks that’s been helping me out. We’re still trying.”
As for right now, he’s taking it day by day.
Couture on Celebrini and San Jose’s outlook for the season
While it’s difficult for the captain not to be on the ice with the rest of the team, he seems to be handling things better mentally. He says he’s excited for the season and can feel the energy in and around the rink.
“It’s been a while since you drive around and feel the buzz,” said Couture. “I feel it walking in this building [Sharks Ice]. People are excited.”
Couture thinks the team will take a step in the right direction, and he believes in new Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky. While he hasn’t seen Celebrini on the ice yet, he has spoken to him.
“Great kid. Easy to talk to. Smart,” said Couture when asked about the number one overall pick. “Loves the game of hockey. Knows a lot about it. Obviously, a special talent.”
One of the hockey things that Celebrini knows well is Vancouver’s 2011 run to the Stanley Cup Finals. The now 18-year-old was just four years old at the time but talked to Couture about it.
“He grew up in Vancouver, right? So he followed the Canucks in 2010 when he was four years old when they lost to Boston, and it made me feel older that I was on that team that lost to Vancouver there,” said Couture.
He says that even though he’s not on the ice with the players, he’ll be there for them.
“I’m going to be around as much as I possibly can … try to talk to them,” said Couture.
But he’s also relying on the strong leadership group General Manager Mike Grier brought in during the offseason, including Tyler Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow, Carl Grundstrom and Ty Dellandrea.
“Those players are hard-nosed players. They do little things to help you win hockey games,” said Couture. “They’re going to lead by example. They’re also vocal players. Guys that you look to in tough situations. They can be voices to help a struggling team. I think all those guys are going to play big roles for our team.”
Couture on the addition of Ryane Clowe and Jumbo vs. Patty
Couture spent a lot of time talking to the media on Thursday and didn’t shy away from any questions. He said he learned about the addition of Clowe to the team’s management staff through a text message from his brother, and he was excited.
“I haven’t seen Clowey in a long time. He was an incredible mentor all year for me on my line,” said Couture. “He fought a lot of guys when I got hit for me, so I always tell him he’s the man.”
And when asked if he’d rather live with Joe Thornton or Patrick Marleau, Couture was diplomatic in his response.
“Depends on the day. If you want some quiet time alone, then Patty would be ideal,” said Couture. “If you’re good with chaos, then Jumbo.”
Eklund ready to build on last season
Eklund spent the summer working out with Fabian Zetterlund, and he had a good time.
“You always know that guy’s going to … he has that ability to always get stronger and always get better … it’s impressive what he’s done. He works his ass off,” said Eklund.
One of the more impressive things Zetterlund did this offseason was deadlift 280 kg or 617 lbs.
Fabian Zetterlund deadlifting over 600(!!!) pounds 😳
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 17, 2024
(via IG/aholmberg18, @SnipeCity420) pic.twitter.com/WF4GtScYNg
As for Eklund, he’s trying to be a “better hockey player,” working on his skill, craft and being quicker. He also wants to shoot the puck more. The 21-year-old has high expectations for himself this season and wants to be an even better player this year.
“I’m just go out there, compete every day and just try to be the best player I can be,” said Eklund.
“I want to build a lot of trust with my teammates and my coaches out there,” Eklund continued. “I want to be able to be put into different situations out there, defensively and offensively.”
Eklund on Warsofsky and Celebrini
As with most of the players, two of the big focuses were the new head coach and the new talented forward.
Eklund says he worked with Warsofsky on the penalty kill last season, and he’s excited to work with him this season as well.
“He wants the same thing as all the players want. We all want to get in the right direction,” said Eklund. “We all want to get better as players. And he brings that every day, and he wants our compete level to be way higher than last year, and I agree with him.”
As for Celebrini, Eklund knows that this will be a tough transition for the young forward.
“It’s an 82-game schedule; it’s playing against grown men every day,” said Eklund. “You gotta learn how to manage that and how to be prepared mentally and physical[ly], but I think he’s such a great player, he knows what it’s all about. He’s going to be really good.”
Ultimately, Eklund believes that the Sharks will prove some people wrong this season.
Goodrow prepared to move forward after rough summer
“Coming back here brings back a lot of memories, a lot of good memories.”
Goodrow is back in San Jose after a tumultuous summer that included San Jose picking him up off the waiver wire. While the forward wasn’t happy with how things went, he wants to look forward.
“I think whatever happened in the summer will stay in the summer,” said Goodrow. “I have a lot of different opinions on what happened, but I think I’ll choose to keep those to myself. I’m excited to be here.”
He says that what happened in the summer wasn’t as big as the media made it out to be.
“I think it was more blown up in the media than it actually was,” said Goodrow. “I think just because I didn’t talk to you guys didn’t necessarily meant that I needed to get over something. I was just enjoying my summer.”
Goodrow confirmed reports that Warsofsky went to see him in Toronto to talk to him, and he appreciated that out of the coach. Goodrow is also looking forward to playing with the good, young players the Sharks are starting to pull together.
“It’s a new challenge. Obviously, things haven’t gone as well as I think everyone had hoped here in the last few years. It’s time to turn things around and kind of get it back in a place where it was when I first came here,” said Goodrow.
And he’s already interacting with some of them.
“Smitty [Will Smith] was asking me yesterday what it was like during that game seven against Vegas, and I said it was the loudest building I’ve ever experienced,” said Goodrow. “When we’re rolling here and the team’s competitive, it’s a great place to play, great building to play in. It’s on us as players to get that back and bring the standard back to where it was.”
While this is a homecoming of sorts for Goodrow, it’s a lot different than it was just four years ago.
“Logan and I have remained close. Hope to see him back on the ice. For only being traded in 2020, it’s crazy how few guys are left. Just Mario and Pickles,” said Goodrow. “A lot of guys I did play with here are now player development. Tommy Wingles. Patty and Jumbo’s always around, so it’s great to see those guys and excited to play with all the guys here that haven’t yet.”