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Bruce Boudreau sets high expectations for San Jose Sharks who ended last season as the worst NHL team
The San Jose Sharks ended their 2023-24 regular season campaign with a disappointing 19-54-9 record. However, former NHLer Bruce Boudreau is hopeful that the franchise can turn things around in the coming season.
During an appearance on NHL Tonight last week, Boudreau shared his thoughts on the Sharks, who finished last season as the worst team in the NHL. He pointed out that the Sharks have improved by adding more NHL-caliber players to their roster.
"Well, I really believe they’ve got some NHL players now. Celebrini and Will Smith are going to take a little bit of time, you know, if you’re looking at maybe your number two and three centermen behind Logan Couture—hopefully, he's healthy this year,” he said.
Boudreau mentioned that while young prospects like Celebrini and Will Smith will need time to develop, the team now has solid NHL players who can make a difference.
“But at the same time, they’ve added NHL players, and they didn’t have NHL players last year. So, I’m thinking if I’m a San Jose Shark, I’ve got a little chip on my shoulder this year. I’m not going to start out 0-12; I’m going to go out there and show them that we’re a lot better.”
He also pointed out the addition of players like Tyler Toffoli and others, praising them as true NHL talents.
“I mean, when you get players like Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, Barclay Goodrow, Jake Walman — these guys are NHL players, yes, they are. You add those with good young players, and I think they’re going to be a lot tougher to beat this year in the Pacific Division."
Bruce Boudreau opines on challenges San Jose Sharks’ No. 1 pick will face
The San Jose Sharks drafted Boston University's Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. When asked how Clebrini’s maturity can help him on the ice, Bruce Boudreau replied that while he has been a standout player in his youth, he'll now face more challenging competition.
“Well, I mean, if you can handle it. Because there's going to be some times where things aren't going to be going as well for him as you would think. For the first 17 years of his life, every time he stepped on the ice, he was the star. So now all of a sudden, you're going to be going against men and really good players in their own right, obviously,” Bourdeau said.
However, Boudreau believes that if Celebrini is as determined as he seems, he'll use these challenges as motivation to improve continuously.
The 18-year-old had earlier decided to go pro in the coming season, and fans might even get to watch Celebrini star in their home opener on October 10.
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