SAN JOSE — Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night at SAP Center. But it was little consolation first pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Here’s what the Sharks said after Thursday’s loss.
RYAN WARSOFSKY
What went wrong in the third period?
“I sat down in the third period. This is what you get.
Thoughts on Celebrini?
“I thought he was good. I thought he was really good. Obviously, points are one thing, but he has to learn some things without the puck, him and Will (Smith). But I thought they were both solid in their debuts.
What did you think of Tyler Toffoli and this line (with Celebrini and Eklund) in general.
“That line was good for us.”
On Gouchshin?
“I thought he was a little inconsistent at times. He tried to do certain things. I had a good second period. He obviously takes a penalty in the third. But I thought it was solid.
What do you see in the first half?
“Our puck play was very poor in the neutral zone. We didn’t manage our shifts very well. So a lot of teaching points in that first half, and I liked our second, so a lot of teaching moments tonight.
What worked in the second half?
“We imagined the puck through the neutral zone thanks to our escapes. We kept the pucks down. We had some momentum with the power play. We were creating some offense, and the guys started; I thought they were maybe gripping their sticks a little too tight in the first and playing just a little looser in the second. But again, there is a lot to learn tonight.
What to remember from the third period?
“Don’t stand idly by.”
A teachable moment?
“Yeah, it’s hard to win, isn’t it?” It’s difficult to win this league. It’s difficult to win just one evening. There’s no team that’s just going to give you two points. So we will learn from this. We are going to bottle this second period. We have a lot to learn, a lot to improve with the puck, without the puck. This is going to be a time of growth for our group. But most importantly, we must learn from this and move forward.
Why do you think the band took their foot off the accelerator?
“Just a young group going through experiences together, a lot of new faces in there, a lot of scar tissue from the last couple of years on how to win. It’s difficult to win this league. It’s all the little things. It’s not serious. It’s not the points; it’s not the goals and assists. These are little things. Stop on the pucks. It’s playing without the puck, being under battles, playing on the defensive end, all those things that we saw get out of hand in the third period, and a good team like that will capitalize on that.
Should you tell the group to get out of the “here we go again” attitude?
“We’ve already addressed this issue.”
You talked about being a tougher team to play against in this building. Did you have this even during the struggles tonight?
“Yeah, I thought we did some really good things. even in the first. I know the shots were totally lopsided, but we did some really good things in the first half that we’ve been talking about all training camp. Once again, we are going to have to continue to improve every day. That’s what I’m going to ask of this group. That’s what I’m going to ask for myself, and I have to learn and go back and look at maybe some decisions that I could have made differently, and go for it.
from there.
Did you expect the kind of evening Celebrini had? Is this a surprise?
“No, we saw everything in training camp, right up to the rookie tournament. He obviously has a high motor, a high hockey IQ, he can make things happen very quickly and he wants things to happen every shift. So I’m not surprised at all.
Faced off against Robert Thomas for much of the night. Were you comfortable with that? Was this kind of plan all along?
“Yeah, I thought we were comfortable with him in this game. I thought he did a really good job with this match. We need to throw him into the fight here and let him go. So he must learn and improve. Like each of them
We.”
Is it nice to receive contributions from your bottom six and your PK?
“I thought the PK was good, the last six were good. I thought Kunin and Goodrow’s line was solid. We just have to continue to improve in certain situations.
So how does it feel to have the first game under your belt?
“I’m glad it’s over and we can move forward with all the beginnings and the hype around Mack, Will and just moving forward as a group and being more of a normal routine, to be honest with you. But again , there is a lot to learn and we will continue to move forward.
Where can Will improve?
“Just play away from the puck. It’s not just Will; it’s our entire team. It’s just for young players at that level that the game is extremely, extremely fast, and you have to be able to think and react very quickly. And he learns from one change to the next and he will learn from one game to the next. »
WILL SMITH
What were the emotions you felt when you started in the NHL?
“As I said before the game, it was a dream come true and a special night for my whole family. Obviously, it was a difficult result, but it’s still a dream come true.
How good was it to get power play and penalty kill goals on special teams despite the loss?
“It’s huge. The momentum comes from special teams, especially a shortie, so that was very nice.
How would you rate your performance? You had a lot of chances, a lot of near misses.
“Like you said, I had a lot of chances. And I mean, they’re going to keep coming, so I just have to push them and put them in play. But overall, I thought it was a good match.
How was this warm-up with Macklin Celebrini alone for you? Did the boys hide the helmets or what happened there when you went out without them?
“It’s a tradition in the NHL. We got to our booth, our helmets were missing, so it was pretty funny. I’m glad we got to do this together too.
What was the biggest revelation for you tonight?
“Everything. It’s also really nice to see all the fans back and how loud it gets in this building. It was pretty special.
How much does it mean to you that fans have embraced you so quickly? Every time you came out there was a lot of cheering every time they showed you on screen.
“It means a lot. Coming into an organization as a first year and being treated like that is pretty special. We’re trying to bring some energy back here, and I think it’s working.
TYLER TOFFOLI
What can you learn from this game?
“It’s not easy to win. I mean, we had a really good opportunity, and I thought we were really counting on (Mackenzie Blackwood) in the first half, obviously. In the second half I thought we did a really good job and played the way we wanted to. You just have to understand that it’s not an easy league, especially when you’re playing against a group of veterans there. These guys over there won the Stanley Cup. That’s kind of what happened today.
What did you think of Macklin’s debut?
“Yeah, he’s great. I think he did what everyone expected of him and he made some really good plays. And I think at the end of the day, he’s obviously going to be personally motivated, but he wants to win. He’s like everyone else here.
You talked about consistency, the need to play a 60-minute match. You had a very good second period, what needs to change on Saturday to get that total of 60?
“I mean, this is the first game of the season, preseason, where we’re all together, really, as a group. I don’t think we played a full squad in pre-season. It is therefore obvious that adjustments still need to be made. And I think ultimately we’re all going to have the opportunity to play certain minutes, and we all have to capitalize on those minutes. And if not, things will change. And I don’t think Warso is afraid to make those tough decisions.
On your goal, Macklin’s pass, do you expect passes like that from him?
“Definitely. He did the same thing in the first preseason game we played together. So he’s incredible. Incredible talent, works extremely hard. And like I said, at the end of the day, he also wants to win matches and he will do whatever it takes.
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