The San Jose Sharks have a long way to go to become true championship contenders.

Over the past several seasons, the Sharks have established an unenviable reputation as one of the NHL’s weakest clubs, missing the postseason in each of the last six years.

While the organization boasts an impressive collection of top-end talent, its lack of a reliable supporting cast has forced an unsustainable dependence on its stars.

When those players fail to deliver at an exceptional level, the structural deficiencies of the roster are exposed, often resulting in embarrassing losses.

The Sharks opened the season on a rough note, stumbling to a 0–3–2 record through their first five games. The growing frustration came to a head when head coach Ryan Warsofsky remarked that he would give up one of his children for a win—a comment he later acknowledged was inappropriate and apologized for.

"I'd give up one of my children for a fu**ing win," Warsofky said following a shutout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 18.

Two days later, Warsofky apologized.

“I love my kids. I would never give them up,” Warsofsky said. “I love my wife. Obviously, I’m a passionate, emotional person, and probably got ahead of me there, and so I apologize for those comments.”

Hot And Cold

The Sharks are still mathematically in the playoff hunt, but their position is far more fragile than it may appear. One stabilizing force has been Macklin Celebrini. The 19-year-old is producing at a blistering pace, recording 55 points (19 goals, 36 assists) in 37 games this season.

Even in Tuesday’s 7–2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, Celebrini found the scoresheet with a goal. That lone point carried added significance, as it allowed him to tie Sidney Crosby’s record for the most points by a teenager before the Christmas break.

On one hand, that’s encouraging. Collin Graff has also emerged as a solid contributor. The 23-year-old went undrafted, but he has come into his own this season, posting 10 goals and 10 assists for a career-high 20 points in 36 games. After appearing in 33 games for the Sharks last year, Graff has already surpassed those totals, clear evidence of his continued development.

Goaltending Is Bad

But herein lies the problem: when the Sharks’ top line isn’t on the ice, they are often giving up goals—and a lot of them. San Jose has allowed 129 goals this season, the second-most in the NHL. Only the St. Louis Blues have been worse, surrendering 131 goals as their historically rough season continues.

Erratic goaltending has been a persistent issue this season. From Yaroslav Askarov’s ill-advised attempts at a Dominik Hasek–style approach to more routine struggles, the instability in net has often overshadowed the efforts of the team’s stars to steer the Sharks in a better direction.

In Tuesday's game, Askarov didn't even last a full period as he allowed four goals on 16 shots, forcing the team to pull him in favor of Alex Nedeljkovic, who didn't fare any better, as he allowed three goals on 10 shots. It's been an absolute circus between the pipes. And for Nedeljkovic, he's allowed at least three goals in seven straight games.

The message is unmistakable: the Sharks have significant work ahead. While they are not the worst team in the league, they are perilously close to that threshold.

Goaltending remains a glaring weakness. Neither Yaroslav Askarov nor Alex Nedeljkovic appears capable of anchoring the position long-term, leaving San Jose with little choice but to pursue upgrades—whether via trades or the draft.

Additionally, the trade deadline offers an opportunity to add depth and bolster the roster. Even so, this rebuilding project is likely several years from fruition before the Sharks can genuinely be considered legitimate contenders.

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