"The way we play, that gives us a chance," Sharks forward Mikael Granlund said after the team's third straight win, via NHL.com. "We've been getting better as a team throughout this season. Beginning of the season, we were just behind in these games and right now we are playing way better. That gives us a chance, and that gives us the confidence. Not only the results but the way we play."
The Sharks have wanted to see progress from their NHL roster for a while now. San Jose entered a rebuild a few years back after coming close to playoff success. Unfortunately, they could not claim hockey's ultimate prize in the Stanley Cup. As their stars aged, the natural impulse was to hit the reset button and begin building back up.
San Jose has finally started seeing the progress they have wanted. Former top prospect William Eklund made the Sharks in 2023-24, and he was followed by two more in 2024-25. Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini are some of the best prospects in the world.
Mikael Granlund has found his game since joining the Sharks in 2023-24. He was joined this summer by other quality veterans such as Jake Walman, Cody Ceci, and Tyler Toffoli. MacKenzie Blackwood has also seemingly found his form.
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