San Jose Hockey Now Podcast #33: Why Are the Barracuda So Bad?

What's the problem with the last-place San Jose Barracuda?We have a special guest, Patrick Williams from AHL.com and NHL.com, who knows all things AHL, to shed some light on why the San Jose Barracuda are struggling this season. (43:30)Williams has a good handle on realistic expectations for the last-place Cuda.But before we get to that interview, we have a few San Jose Sharks topics to cover.First, William Eklund has been playing...center!. (03:30) We talk all about his play and what his change to center might mean for the rebuild if this is a permanent or semi-permanent change.The Sharks have another young prospect making waves in the NHL as Shakir Mukhamadullin was called up this week. (13:20) We dive into his play and speculate whether he stays up with the Sharks after the break or not.Sheng and Keegan discuss the addition of Mukhamadullin to the AHL All-star game, and the injury to Danil Gushchin that's going to keep him out of the All-Star lineup. (23:50)Finally, before we get to Patrick Williams, we discuss Tomas Hertl (27:18). News came out this week that a conversation might take place this offseason to discuss Hertl's future on a rebuilding San Jose Sharks club. Let the speculation commence on his future, and what the Sharks might get for Hertl in a trade.Alright, it's time for the Patrick Williams interview! We ask loads of questions and get his opinion on how the Barracuda are performing relative to the other teams in the AHL. (43:30)First we ask the big question: Is it okay to be disappointed in the Barracuda this season? (45:00)Just how many high-end players (for this league) does the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate have right now? (47:30)We ask about John McCarthy and whether he deserves to be fired. (53:25)McCarthy is one of the AHL's youngest coaches. Did he miss out on having an experienced mentor by his side to start his head coaching career? (56:50)Just how much was expected from this Barracuda roster, and how much of the failure can really be put on McCarthy? (1:05:20)What does Patrick think of Danil Gushchin? (1:09:30)Despite some defensive additions to the Barracuda this season, they still sit last in goals allowed in the AHL. What's going wrong defensively for them? (1:12:45)We dive into the curious decision to roll with three young netminders, one with injury concerns, to start the year for the Barracuda. (1:18:27)The defense has been a mess, but the offense is actually decent for the Barracuda. What's gone right so far there this year? (1:23:45)What does Patrick think about the compete level for the Barracuda overall? (1:26:35)Who is Patrick's favorite Barracuda player to watch? (1:28:44)Who does Patrick think has the potential to reach the NHL from the AHL roster? (1:29:45)To end the interview, how much of the team's losing can be put on Cuda GM Joe Will? (1:31:30)After the interview, Sheng and Keegan react to Patrick's interview and discuss some of the rumblings in the hockey world, related to how the Barracuda are perceived. (1:35:40) This includes lots of insights from scouts and executives on how the Barracuda and the San Jose Sharks are seen, and some of the limitations involved with running these teams.Thanks all for watching, listening and subscribing! ★ Support this podcast ★ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.