CHICAGO — There is no doubt that the San Jose Sharks fan base needs to be reenergized.
For the fifth consecutive season, the Sharks will miss the playoffs. For the second consecutive season, they will be the only team with a home attendance of fewer than 80 percent.
And, as tonight’s opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks, demonstrated, what better shot in the arm for a struggling organization than receiving the first overall pick?
I couldn’t help but think that as the Sharks took a 2-0 lead over the Blackhawks on goals from Ryan Carpenter and Klim Kostin. San Jose and Chicago are competing for the greatest Draft lottery odds once more.
Of course, Macklin Celebrini, the predicted first-overall pick in 2024, is not Connor Bedard, who was taken first in the 2023 Draft.
Bedard, more than anybody else, is responsible for increasing the Hawks’ capacity at the United Center from 83.7 percent in 2022-23 to 95.3 percent this season.
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