Jason Demers Talks Sharks’ Improved Blueline | EP 109 Demers on Sports Psychology & Mental Health

San Jose Sharks legend Dan Boyle, insider Sheng Peng, prospects guru Keegan McNally, and Sharks Ice rink rat champ Zubair Jeewanjee are joined by another Sharks legend!

Jason Demers, now with NHL Network, talks about the Sharks’ off-season additions on the blueline, Dmitry Orlov, John Klingberg, and Nick Leddy. He also shares his thoughts on prospects Sam Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin.

Demers also shares how Boyle impacted him, when both patrolled the San Jose Sharks’ blueline. He also talks about the importance of sports psychology and mental health.

We also discuss Michael Misa’s next step, Macklin Celebrini’s stunning evolution, and the underrated Alex Wennberg.

Sponsored by Bring Hockey Back. Custom jerseys, hockey gear & tees for every fan. Use promo code: SANJOSEHOCKEYNOW for 15% off.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 – Intro & Sponsor: Bring Hockey Back
00:03:00 – Michael Misa Debate: Keep or Send Back?
00:08:50 – Comparing Misa to Will Smith & Sam Dickinson
00:10:45 – Keegan’s Case for Keeping Misa
00:13:30 – Zubair on Development & IQ
00:14:00 – Celebrini’s Emergence: “It’s His Room Now”
00:18:00 – Alex Wennberg’s Underrated Two-Way Impact
00:20:30 – Role Players & Emerging Forwards
00:23:40 – Jason Demers & Dan Boyle Join
00:25:00 – Sharks’ Turnaround: 5-2-1 Run Explained
00:27:00 – JD Demers on System Shift
00:28:30 – San Jose Sharks’ Defense Deep Dive
00:31:00 – Fans Roast John Klingberg (and Why They’re Wrong)
00:33:00 – Dan Boyle on Power Play Dynamics
00:39:00 – Why the Aggressive 2-1-2 Style Fits Sharks’ DNA
00:43:00 – Defense Pairings: Leddy, Mukhamadullin, Dickinson, Orlov
00:45:30 – Askarov’s Growth in Net
00:47:30 – Demers & Boyle on Goalie Oversliding
00:57:00 – Locker Room Camaraderie: Sticks, Sharpening & Stories
01:02:00 – Mentorship & Mental Health in the NHL
01:12:00 – JD’s Journey to Game #700
01:26:00 – Dan Boyle’s Perspective: Support Systems Matter
01:34:00 – Life After Hockey & JD’s New Mental Health App
01:43:00 – Breathwork, Flow State & Mind-Body Tools for Athletes
01:49:00 – Final Reflections: Anxiety, Growth & Gratitude
01:55:42 – Rapidfire Blueline Takes: Liljegren, Ferraro PK Value, Mukhamadullin/Vlasic Comps
01:57:02 – “Moose” Breakout Pass Debate, Point Pace, and Quality-of-Opponent Context
01:59:00 – Demers Leaves
02:00:05 – Candid Mental Health Story and Why It Matters
02:01:19 – Are We… Confident? Cautious Optimism After a Strong Run
02:02:26 – Next Big Test: Winnipeg Preview (Size, Depth, Elite Goaltending)
02:04:59 – Confidence Compounds: Swagger, Vocal Leadership, PK Sturdiness
02:07:11 – New Identity: Initiating Physicality vs. Merely Responding
02:09:14 – PK Turnaround and Individual Stick-Detail Shoutouts
02:09:46 – Roster Crunch Coming for San Jose Sharks’ D, What Happens?
02:11:36 – Keep Misa Up? Shot Volume, Finishing Will Follow
02:12:41 – Prospect Watch: Albert Smiths, 17-Year-Old LHD in Liiga
02:15:59 – 2026 Class Vibe: Defense-Heavy, Many Righties, Strong Top-10 Draft
02:16:10 – Sharks Prospect: Eric Pohlkamp (DU) Profile — Rush Offense & Cannon Shot
02:18:25 – Pohlkamp’s Ceiling: PP1 vs. Depth Value
02:23:58 – NCAA Is Stacked: Why That Matters for Evaluation
02:25:22 – Trade Market Hopes for an Offensive RHD
02:27:21 – Late Bloomers & Overagers: NHL’s Hidden Goldmine
02:30:55 – Wrap and Sign-Off: Long Episode, Worth It