Welcome to the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast!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 Barracuda are struggling this season. (43:30)But before we get to that interview, we have a few important topics to cover. First, William Eklund has been playing...center!? at the NHL level. (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, the defenseman from the Barracuda was called up this week. (13:20) We dive into his play and speculate whether he stays up with the Sharks for the year 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 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 do the Barracuda have right now? (47:30)We ask about John McCarthy and whether he deserves to be fired after this season based on the Barracuda's result. (53:25)McCarthy is one of the AHL's youngest coachest. 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 the Barracuda's AHL all-star Danil Gushchin? (1:09:30)Despite some defensive additions for 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 this year? (1:23:45)We ask Patrick just a few more questions. First, what does he 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 Joe Will, the AHL's GM? (1:31:30)Finally for the end of the episode, Sheng and Keegan react to Patrick's interview and discuss some of the rumbling around the NHL related to how the Barracuda are perceived. (1:35:40) This includes lots of quotes from scouts and executives on how the Barracuda and the Sharks are seen around the league, and some of the limitations involved with running these teams. Thanks all for watching, listening and subscribing!

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