The San Jose Sharks get a first look at the new Utah Hockey Club, which is really the Arizona Coyotes with a new name and new uniform. Not really sure what we’re calling them. Utah? The Hockey Club? HC? We’ll figure it out as we go along. The Utah Hockey Club is doing well in the preseason that doesn’t matter. It’s 3-1, much better than San Jose’s 1-2 record.
Some injury updates. It looks like Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Shakir Mukhamadullin and Yaroslav Askarov are all skating, but not ready to join the team just yet.
We mentioned the training camp cuts yesterday but it sounds like Sam Dickinson was the other player sent back to his OHL team. It’s not a surprise. The 2024 first-round draft pick isn’t ready for the NHL just yet, and he can’t play for the Barracuda because of the rule regarding CHL players playing in the AHL.
San Jose Sharks lines
As for today, there are some players to keep an eye on. Collin Graf is key. He has an outside shot to make the team and today he’ll get a chance to prove what he’s got. According to The Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka, Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky will be watching.
Big night for Collin Graf. Warsofsky: "He's been better. It's a good chance for him to play w/some good players and see what he can do. Special teams he's been good. Penalty kill yesterday, I thought he was really good. Can add that layer to his game, which would be important"
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) October 1, 2024
Here’s what the lines are expected to look like for the Sharks, according to San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng.
#SJSharks morning skate lines, Celebrini & Smith playing:
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 1, 2024
Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Graf-Will Smith-Zetterlund
Goodrow-Wennberg-Kunin
Sabourin-Poturalski-Grundstrom
Wasn't able to catch D pairings, but Walman, Ferraro, Rutta, Ceci, Thompson & Cagnoni on the ice
That means we’ll get a look at the 70’s line tonight, and we’ll see Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini on the ice together for the first time.
Forwards
William Eklund – Macklin Celebrini – Tyler Toffoli
Collin Graf – Will Smith – Fabian Zetterlund
Barclay Goodrow – Alex Wennberg – Luke Kunin
Scott Sabourin – Andrew Poturalski – Carl Grundstrom
Defense (guessing here)
Mario Ferraro – Jack Thompson
Jake Walman – Cody Ceci
Luca Cagnoni – Jan Rutta
Goaltenders
Mackenzie Blackwood
??
Utah Hockey Club Lines
While we’re not certain of the lines, here’s the team that Utah plans to ice today, courtesy of the club itself.
Today's roster. ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/R11q5Sum7o
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) October 1, 2024
Andrew Agozzino is one of the names that jumps out. He’s a former Barracuda forward. There are also some young guys to give fans a thrill, including some hockey legacies like Tij Iginla and Josh Doan. Lawson Crouse and Maverick Lamoureux will also play today.
How to watch Utah at Sharks Oct. 1, 2024
If you want to see the game, you’ll have to live in the area. Local fans can watch the game by video streaming on sjsharks.com. If you’re not local, you can hear the game Sharks + SAP Center mobile app.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. at SAP Center. There are still some fair priced tickets on sites like StubHub if you’re interested in going to the game. If anything, it’s a good way to beat the heat.
Or you can enjoy your, hopefully, air-conditioned home, and live chat with everyone here.
