Sharks Sign Will Smith to Entry-Level Contract

 It’s official: the Sharks have signed their 2023 fourth-overall pick Will Smith to his three-year, entry-level contract. 

This decision was expected this offseason after Smith finished his 2023-24 season as the NCAA's top scorer during his freshman year at Boston College and recently competed for Team USA at this year's IIHF World Championship in Czechia. More specifically, Smith recorded 71 points (25 goals, 46 assists) in 41 games this past season, and his assist and goal totals were good for first and sixth in the country among NCAA skaters respectively. He also set Boston College's freshman scoring record and tied the most points scored by a NCAA U-19 skater since 1993-94. In addition, Smith scored four goals and five points in the Hockey East Final to help BC win the conference championship, and recorded two goals and two assists for four points in four NCAA Tournament games to help lead BC to the NCAA Tournament Championship against Denver. Smith earned a variety of accolades during his first season at Boston College, including Hobey Baker Award Finalist, Hockey East All-Tournament MVP, Sharks Prospect of the Year for 2023-24, and a spot on the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. Internationally, Will Smith competed for Team USA at this year's World Junior Championship, registering four goals and five assists for nine points in the tournament and guiding Team USA to a Gold Medal Victory against Sweden. 

Overall, this is the right decision and only made sense for the Sharks' top prospect Will Smith to sign his ELC. He will be able to properly further develop as a hockey player by playing more games and facing tougher competition. In addition, by signing his ELC, Will Smith will inject more excitement into and around the Sharks organization and among Sharks fans. It's great and exciting to hear that many of the Sharks' top prospects are signing or have signed their entry-level deals, and I am absolutely looking forward to seeing Will Smith tear up the NHL in San Jose very soon. 

Source: Sharks + SAP Center App 

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store 

Sharks Sign Luca Cagnoni to Entry-Level Contract

 The Sharks announced that they have signed prospect defenseman Luca Cagnoni to an entry-level contract. 

Selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, Cagnoni tore up the Western Hockey League this past season for the Portland Winterhawks, finishing his 2023-24 regular season with 18 goals, 72 assists, and 90 points in 65 games. His 90 points and 72 assists led all WHL defensemen this past season, while his 18 goals were third amongst WHL defensemen. Cagnoni was named to the WHL's U.S. Division First All-Star Team for the 2023-24 campaign and became the first defenseman in the WHL since 1993-94 to record 90 points in a season. In addition, Cagnoni continued his point-per-game scoring pace through the WHL postseason, recording three goals and ten assists for 13 points in 13 postseason games, helping the Winterhawks end their season as league runner-up. 

It was just a matter of time before Luca Cagnoni signed his ELC with the Sharks, and I am hoping and do believe that his torrid scoring pace and two-way play in the WHL will translate to the NHL. Not sure if he will begin or primarily spend next season with the Sharks or Barracuda, but if Luca Cagnoni keeps up his level of play from juniors in the NHL, he will give this Sharks team the extra boost that it desperately needs. 

Source: Sharks + SAP Center App 

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store 

Sharks Win 2024 NHL Draft Lottery

 It has finally happened: one of the greatest days in Sharks franchise history and a massive turning point in this team’s rebuild, as the Sharks have been awarded the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. This will also mark the first time in franchise history that the Sharks have won the draft lottery and will get to select first overall in the NHL Draft. 

Heading into this year’s draft lottery, the Sharks had the best odds to land the first overall pick since they finished dead last in the entire league during the 2023-24 season. Although they finished this past season with their third-worst record in franchise history, it was all worth it in the end. The Sharks will have the honor to draft one of their future franchise cornerstone players in Macklin Celebrini, who is the top collegiate prospect this year. It is only fitting that Macklin Celebrini ends up in San Jose, since GM Mike Grier has ties to Boston University, Macklin Celebrini was a former Jr. Shark, and Celebrini’s dad Rick is the vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors. 

In addition, the Sharks have earned the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2024 first-round selection at 14th overall from the Erik Karlsson trade back in August of last year. No other draft lottery-eligible teams moved from their projected spots in the top 16 picks in this year’s draft. The 2024 NHL Draft will begin June 28 at the Las Vegas Sphere with Round 1, followed by Rounds 2-7 on June 29. 

Before diving into my thoughts, here’s the full draft order for the first 16 picks in 2024: 

1) San Jose Sharks 

2) Chicago Blackhawks 

3) Anaheim Ducks 

4) Columbus Blue Jackets 

5) Montreal Canadiens 

6) Utah Hockey Club 

7) Ottawa Senators 

8) Seattle Kraken 

9) Calgary Flames 

10) New Jersey Devils 

11) Buffalo Sabres 

12) Philadelphia Flyers 

13) Minnesota Wild 

14) San Jose Sharks (From Pittsburgh Penguins) 

15) Detroit Red Wings 

16) St. Louis Blues 

Overall, I am super stoked and over-the-moon thrilled that the Sharks were awarded the first selection of the 2024 draft after the season they just had. The entire process of the draft lottery this year was an emotional roller coaster, and I almost cried tears of joy right as the first selection was awarded to San Jose. However, if somehow the Blackhawks, Utah, or even the Ducks moved up in the lottery and were awarded the first overall pick, I would be disappointed and claim that the NHL rigged the lottery this year, but luckily that wasn’t the case. It was about damn time the Sharks won the draft lottery, and the future of Sharks hockey just got a whole lot brighter. I am absolutely looking forward to the NHL Draft this year and seeing what else is in store for the Sharks this offseason. 

Sources: ESPN, NHL App 

You can further support my blogs by checking out my merch (sample pictured below): CPF Store