San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky is taking responsibility for his team’s ongoing struggles as they seek their first victory of the NHL season. The Sharks fell to 0-3-2 after a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 14, 2023, marking their third consecutive regulation-time defeat. The team now faces a challenging four-game road trip, entering as the league’s only winless team.
Inside the Sharks’ dressing room, rookie Macklin Celebrini expressed disbelief over the team’s repeated slow starts. Warsofsky, who has experienced four such beginnings with the Sharks, humorously remarked that he would give up one of his two young children for a win at this point. “Trust me, it sucks,” he said. “I keep telling myself, there’s a reason why this keeps happening.”
The Sharks had hoped for a better season compared to previous years, but they have struggled to find their rhythm. After disappointing performances against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Utah Mammoth, the team showed improvement during the latter periods against Pittsburgh. Despite outchancing the Penguins and limiting their shots on goal, they were unable to score against goaltender Tristan Jarry, who made 31 saves, resulting in their first shutout of the season.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic performed admirably, stopping 18 shots in a hectic first period. However, the Sharks remain unable to convert their chances into goals, having netted only two even-strength goals in their last three games. “The only way we’re going to get those bounces is if we keep working for them,” Nedeljkovic stated. “We have to earn those bounces.”
Celebrini, reflecting on the team’s chemistry, noted the frustration of playing well yet failing to secure victories. “I think we have a really tight group, and it’s just hard,” he said. “Especially when you play some good games, do some good things, and it just feels like it hasn’t really kind of connected yet.”
The Sharks’ upcoming road trip begins on October 17 against the New York Islanders, which features the top overall pick from the June NHL Draft, Matthew Schaefer. Following that, they will face the New York Rangers on October 19, the New Jersey Devils on October 20, and the Minnesota Wild on October 22.
Historically, the Sharks have struggled at the start of the season. They were 0-5-0 in the 2022-23 season, began 0-10-1 in 2023-24, and went 0-7-2 last year. Warsofsky, who served as an assistant coach under David Quinn during those dismal starts, now finds himself at the helm of a team believed to be more capable than its predecessors. “We’re not going to quit,” he declared. “We’ve got to work. I’ve got to get this team to improve and individuals to improve. It’s on me.”
In roster news, the Sharks placed defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury and recalled Luca Cagnoni from the Barracuda. Mukhamadullin, 23, has missed the last two games, and it remains uncertain when he will return. Cagnoni, a promising second-year pro, had a notable training camp and scored in his season-opening game with the Barracuda.
Warsofsky noted that injured defensemen Timothy Liljegren and John Klingberg would travel with the team to New York, although their return to play remains uncertain. Both players were injured during a game against Carolina on October 14, and Liljegren is currently on IR but eligible to return for the game against the Rangers.
As the Sharks embark on this pivotal road trip, the pressure mounts for the team to turn their fortunes around and secure that elusive first win of the season.
