San Jose Sharks

Puck Junk Podcast: 2024-25 NHL Season Preview

Plus: Jeremy Swayman Gets Paid
Episode #202: October 11, 2024

In Episode #202 of the Puck Junk Podcast, Sal and Clemente ask their biggest questions for the 2024-25 NHL Season. Plus, will Jeremy Swayman redefine the goalie market now that he signed a new contract, how will Connor Bedard’s deal with Fanatics affect Upper Deck, and more. It’s 67 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes and Links
Clemente’s Interview with Macklin Celebrini (Puck Junk)
Fanatics’ Deal with Connor Bedard (Fanatics)
Upper Deck Files Suit Over Major Card Theft (Sports Collectors Daily)

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Follow Sal Barry on X/Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk.
Follow Tim Parish on X/Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Follow Clemente Lisi on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi. 
Podcast music by Retro Game Remix – follow them on YouTube. 

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Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini The Real Teal In Sharks Rebuild Year

“Do You Know the Way to San Jose” remains a popular song. It’s catchy. It has a good beat. I has endured the test of time. First released in 1968 by singer Dionne Warwick, it also remains an homage to the California city. 

Fast forward 56 years and Macklin Celebrini did find his way to San Jose. The No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, Celebrini is also hoping to endure the test of time by having a very strong first pro season. 

Like the song, the 18-year-old center in a Sharks uniform also marks a homecoming of sorts. In fact, the Vancouver native is no stranger to San Jose. As a child, he moved to California and played for the San Jose Junior Sharks AAA team. As a member of the U14 team, Celebrini featured in 54 games and amassed an astonishing 49 goals and 45 assists for 94 points.

In addition, Celebrini – nicknamed “The Cheetah” because of his speed – has added hype to card collecting this season. All No. 1 picks typically do. How he will do in the coming weeks and months will have a huge impact on his rookie card values. For starters, he had a goal and an assist in his first game at SAP Center, a 4-2 preseason loss on Sept. 22 to the Vegas Golden Knights.

In the hopes that Celebrini will be a favorite among collectors, Upper Deck signed Celebrini to an exclusive autograph deal back in July.

“We’re committed to bringing fans even closer to their favorite NHL players, and the addition of Celebrini reflects our dedication to showcasing both seasoned legends and emerging stars,” said Upper Deck President Jason Masherah. “We’re proud to represent him at such an exciting time in his career and look forward to capturing his success on the ice once he makes his NHL debut.”

I caught up with Celebrini at last month’s NHLPA Rookie Showcase, organized in conjunction with Upper Deck, in Arlington, Va. During his appearance there, Celebrini took the time to discuss the upcoming NHL season, playing alongside a former rival and his favorite hockey card ever.  

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: Celebrini The Real Teal In Sharks Rebuild Year”

Puck Junk Podcast: 2022-23 Artifacts Hockey Cards

Episode #147: March 22, 2023

In the new Puck Junk Podcast, Sal Barry and Tim Parish have a long talk about the new 2022-23 Artifacts Hockey card set. They also discuss Jordan Binnington going off the rails (again), James Reimer refusing to participate in warmups during Sharks’ Pride Night, Tik Tok’s ban on card breaking, and more. It’s 101 minutes of hockey goodness! 

Show Notes, Links and Images: 
Video: “Laid” by James (YouTube)
Video: “Say Something” by James (YouTube)
Video: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers (YouTube)
Video: “Hocus Pocus” by Focus (YouTube)
Video: Marc-Andre Fleury Challenges Jordan Binnington (YouTube)
Video: Marc-Andre Fleury Almost Fights Peter Budaj (YouTube)
Video: Marc-Andre Fleury Fights in a Junior Hockey Game (YouTube)
Video: South Park “Cripple Fight” (YouTube)
Video: Ron Hextall Attacks Chris Chelios (YouTube)
Jordan Binnington Suspended Two Games (TSN)
The QMJHL Will Tighten Rules Around Fighting (CBC)
Reimer Boycotts Sharks’ Warmup Skate Before Pride Night Game (ESPN)
Video: Marshawn Lynch “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.” (YouTube)
Video: “Get Ready for This” by 2 Unlimited (YouTube)
Jim Howard’s Box Break Fiasco from 2015-16 Contours (Puck Junk)
Images of the mangled package that Tim received in the mail (Twitter)

The card that Tim is hoarding – the 1991-92 Parkhurst Bill Guerin XRC:

Some images from 2022-23 Artifacts Hockey: 

Base Card
Wood Parallel
Short-Printed High Number Card
Dual Jersey Swatch Card
Dual Patch Swatch Card

Follow
Follow Sal Barry on Twitter @PuckJunk & Instagram @PuckJunk. 
Follow Tim Parish on Twitter @TheRealDFG & Instagram @therealdfg66.
Podcast music by Jim “Not the Goalie” Howard (Instagram @flyingV2112)

Subscribe
Subscribe to the Puck Junk Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Overcast,  
PlayerFM, PocketCasts, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher,
or Transistor. Subscribe to the Puck Junk Channel on YouTube.  

Connect 
Connect with us and other hockey fans on the Puck Junk Facebook Group.

Support 
Support this podcast and buy a shirt from the Puck Junk Online Shop. ■

Snap Shots: Auston Matthews Sets Maple Leafs’ Goals Record

I was so busy last weekend that I didn’t get to write my Snap Shots column for last week. So, this week’s edition has more “shots,” covering the last two weeks of notable hockey stories. But don’t worry — each “shot” is shorter and this will be a quick read. Promise! 

Continue reading “Snap Shots: Auston Matthews Sets Maple Leafs’ Goals Record”

Snap Shots: Kraken Fan Saves Canucks’ Equipment Manager’s Life

Happy Monday! This week, I want to take a look at a big story that made the rounds early last week, when a quick-thinking Seattle Kraken fan helped save a Vancouver Canucks’ assistant equipment manager’s life. We will also take a look at an awesome goal, a new “rookie” record that was set, and the potential end of a solid NHL career. Plus, COVID-19 continues to ruin hockey.  

Continue reading “Snap Shots: Kraken Fan Saves Canucks’ Equipment Manager’s Life”

Blake’s Takes: The Jack Hughes Contract Extension

Jack Hughes 2021-22

For those who celebrated, I hope you all had a great Hanukkah. For those who don’t, Christmas is right around the corner. In this week’s column, I’ll lead off with my favorite topic, another big extension. This week’s recipient is none other than former first-overall pick, Jack Hughes. I’ll comment on Hughes’ newfound wealth as well as the most-recent player to receive the honor of a jersey retirement.

Those weren’t the only two things to happen in hockey last week. I’ll also take a look at the two new Stadium Series jerseys and a few of my favorite plays.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The Jack Hughes Contract Extension”

Blake’s Takes: Jerseys in Jersey and Happy Hanukkah

A day late, but better than never! Last week was a huge week around the NHL. This week, I’ll share my thoughts on Evander Kane’s potential return to the ice as well as a dustup involving two of the league’s most frequent offenders.

On a lighter note, a few new uniforms were released last week and they are deserving of my attention. I wrote more than a few words about those uniforms as well another take or two.

Happy Tuesday and Happy Hanukkah!

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Blake’s Takes: Hockey is in Full Swing

We enter week two of NHL games and my fantasy hockey team looks better than ever. My takes this week have some variety. From players with damaged reputations, extensions, and major business deals, these takes have it all.

Happy Monday!

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Blake’s Takes: Regular Season Wrap Up

We have finally reached the NHL playoffs. In this week’s column, I’ll deliver a few takes that will tie up some loose ends from the regular season. After this week, playoff hockey will be priority number one.

This week’s set of takes are still top-tier. The NHL celebrated a few major milestones last week. I’ll give you all my two cents about each of those and one notable player’s return from injury.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Regular Season Wrap Up”

Blake’s Takes: Marleau Makes History

It was a rather quiet week in the hockey world. That gave me the opportunity to write about some of my favorite random things I saw throughout the week. That includes Stanley Cup championship rings, NHL records being broken, and very difficult goals to swallow.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Marleau Makes History”