Barclay Goodrow has plenty of reasons to be excited about the San Jose Sharks' future—and it starts with a revitalized Shark Tank.
As a mainstay on the Sharks' fourth line this season, Goodrow saw firsthand how the team's straight-forward, no-nonsense style of play fueled their surprising success. Whether he was skating alongside young center Zack Ostapchuk or veterans like Adam Gaudette and Ryan Reaves, the line set the tone for a squad that played meaningful hockey right down to the final games of the season.
And it wasn't just on the ice. As a two-time Stanley Cup champion, Goodrow's leadership in the locker room was invaluable. So when we sat down for his exit interview, we wanted to hear his take on the team's growth, the development of rising stars like Macklin Celebrini and Ostapchuk, and how he felt about his own game. Here's what he had to say.
On what the Sharks learned during their playoff push:
"I think we learned a lot of lessons. Obviously, we played meaningful games up until the last two games of the season. The pressure got higher, the stakes got higher, and we got a taste of how we need to play, right from the get-go, to put ourselves in a better position to be in the playoffs next year. I think a lot of valuable lessons were learned from an individual aspect, team aspect. And I think a year like this is hugely important for taking the next step. I think we put ourselves in a good position to be in the playoffs next year."
On Macklin Celebrini's development as a leader:
"He's speaking out more. For such a young guy, his voice carries a lot of weight in the locker room. I think when he steps up and says something, everyone's listening and everyone's following. His character kind of speaks for itself. He's the leader of this team, and we wouldn't have been in the position we were in so late in the season without him throwing us on his back. So, he's a great leader, great teammate, and he had an amazing year."
On Zack Ostapchuk's growth:
"I love playing with him. I think he brings a lot to the team. Obviously, his speed. His faceoffs became a huge part of our line, 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill. We killed a lot with him, too. You can see his game just getting better. He's getting more comfortable."
For Sharks fans, the message is clear: the foundation is being built, the young core is stepping up, and the hunger for postseason hockey is real. And with leaders like Goodrow setting the standard, the future in San Jose looks brighter than ever.