Preseason Preview/Lines #6: Final audition for Sharks' opening roster tonight?

Who is competing for a roster spot with the San Jose Sharks?

Tonight is the final game as the Sharks head to T-Mobile Arena for their preseason finale against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Sharks must submit their opening lineups on Monday. They also practice Monday through Wednesday before opening night on Thursday.

In response to a question about Jack Thompson and Luca Cagnoni, both of whom are vying for the No. 7 defenseman spot on the opening night roster, head coach Ryan Warsofsky threw a few more names into the hat: “Both guys (Thompson and Cagnoni) are there.” Cardwell is there. Gushchin is at it again. Kostin is there. All of these guys that are fighting not only for spots here but to play important (roles) on our team are playing tonight, I would say.”

He didn't mention enforcer Givani Smith, but Smith is traveling and given what he has to offer, it's safe to say he's competing for one of, I believe, two open forward spots.

Collin Graf is also there.

Right now I would expect the Sharks to promote these 12 forwards Macklin Celebrini, Ty Dellandrea, William Eklund, Barclay Goodrow, Mikael Granlund, Carl Grundstrom, Luke Kunin, Will Smith, Nico Sturm, Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg and Fabian Zetterlund and two by Givani Smith, Kostin, Gushchin, Cardwell or Graf.

Gushchin, Cardwell and Graf are exempt from the exemption.

Honestly, it was surprising to hear Kostin join the undecided group. Even though he was always inconsistent, his successes were, frankly, dominant, like when he lined up in front of the Anaheim Ducks' goal on September 26 and scored the game-winning goal late on a shot from Danil Gushchin.

There are no sharks with this combination of size, strength and skill.

I expect the Sharks to use six defensemen: Matt Benning, Cody Ceci, Mario Ferraro, Jan Rutta, Henry Thrun and Jake Walman, as well as one of Thompson, Cagnoni or Shakir Mukhamadullin, who returned to practice today.

Thompson, Cagnoni and Mukhamadullin are all exempt.

And who will start the opening night? It looks like either Mackenzie Blackwood or Vitek Vanecek will be between the posts on October 10, as super talent Yaroslav Askarov is still finding form after suffering an injury before camp with the San Jose Barracuda.

Blackwood is the incumbent and he starts tonight, but Vanecek came through with a brilliant . 944 Save % so far this preseason.

That's 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalkeepers for a 23-man squad.

San Jose Sharks (1-3-1)

Mackenzie Blackwood begins. My guess is that Nolan Burke and Jeremie Bucheler aren't playing.

Sharks lineup tonight pic.twitter.com/vaG7kZ3RNS

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 5, 2024

Vegas Golden Knights (3-2-0)

Optional morning skating. Aston-Reese, Laczynski and Røndbjerg with Hutton and Korczak. Samsonov on the net.

It looks like the entire lineup will be competing tonight.

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) October 5, 2024

This could be the squad the Knights choose from tonight, it pretty much looks like a final squad.

Where to see

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks will take place at 7:00 p.m. PT at the SAP Center. Watch it in the NHL on ESPN+ package. Watch it live on SJSharks.com. Please note that the stream is geographically limited to the San Jose Sharks broadcast area. Also check it out on the Sharks + SAPC app. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.