Key contributors for the 2024-25 Sharks season are marked by standout performances from a core group of players. The Sharks’ mix of seasoned veterans and youthful additions show a rebuilding team ready to compete.
Mikael Granlund (Center)
Granlund leads the team with 29 points (10 goals, 19 assists) in 26 games. The alternate captain logs over 20 minutes per game and is the Sharks’ go-to player in critical situations. Granlund leads on the power play with three goals and six assists.
William Eklund (Winger)
Eklund is proving himself as a part of “The future is teal.” The 22-year-old holds 23 points in 27 games (five goals and 18 assists), delivering as both a playmaker and scorer. Eklund can perform in key moments, like the Sharks’ 2-1 overtime win against the Washington Capitals.
Fabian Zetterlund (Winger)
Zetterlund’s two-way performance in games has seen breakthroughs this season. His 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) and team-leading +9 rating highlight his excellence as a balanced contributor. As a top-line winger, he averages 17:31 per game and has three power-play goals and three power-play points. The 25-year-old adds depth with a 45.8% Corsi For and a +0.7% puck control improvement over teammates.
Tyler Toffoli (Winger)
As a veteran, Toffoli remains a reliable offensive force with 18 points (10 goals, eight assists) in 28 games. Despite a -8 rating, Toffoli has kept the Sharks competitive in tight matchups, especially on the power play. Toffoli has earned four power-play assists and two power-play goals.
Macklin Celebrini (Center)
Even as an 18-year-old rookie, Celebrini has notched 15 points in 16 games played with eight goals and seven assists. Rapidly becoming a fan favorite, his poise and offensive creativity show why he was the first overall pick.
Jake Walman (Defenseman)
Walman leads Sharks defensemen in scoring with 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) in 23 games. Averaging 22:38 of ice time, his two-way play has stabilized the blue line while also providing offensive spark. On the first power-play unit, Walman also has four power-play assists. In four of their last five games, the Sharks’ power play has driven their success and overall contribution to victory.
Mackenzie Blackwood (Goaltender)
Blackwood has continued to stand on his head as the Sharks’ backbone, delivering clutch performances between the pipes. With a .907 save percentage and a 6-8-3 record, he’s kept the team competitive despite facing heavy shot volumes.
Blackwood faced his season-high 44 shots against the Devils, stopping them all in a 1-0 shutout win. In the Sharks’ most recent OT win in Washington, he made 27 saves on 28 shots.
Honorable Mentions
Another veteran, Alex Wennberg (Center) adds depth on the Sharks’ second line with 14 points (six goals, eight assists). In 28 games, Wennberg averages 18:40 TOI and maintains a respectable 49.6% faceoff win rate.
Promising rookie Will Smith has earned 11 points (five goals, six assists) over 23 games. Seven of those points came in his last five games, despite his -7 rating.
Standout players with a mix of veterans and young blood have defined the Sharks’ season so far. Still 54 games left in the season, these contributions spotlight the potential and resilience driving San Jose’s future.
Sharks Updates
In the Four Nations Face-Off, scheduled for February 12-20, 2025, the Sharks have one confirmed player participating. Representing Team Finland, the Sharks’ leading scorer and alternate captain Mikael Granlund has earned a well-deserved selection. The tournament will take place in Montreal and Boston and feature teams from Finland, Sweden, the United States, and Canada.
On Tuesday, head coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters that Marc-Edouard Vlasic might return during the team’s road trip. Vlasic last played in April of the 2023-24 season. The 37-year-old defenseman previously missed training camp and preseason with an upper-back injury.
The Sharks continue their road trip 10-13-5 against Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and St. Louis Blues.
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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
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