Sharks Players React To Logan Couture’s Retirement

When Logan Couture announced his retirement from professional hockey on Tuesday, the entire San Jose Sharks team was in attendance.

The players were there for the Sharks captain, from injured players like Mario Ferraro and Shakir Mukhamadullin to young stars like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.

Tyler Toffoli and Couture played for the Ottawa 67s, but never crossed paths. While the two never played a game together for the Sharks, Toffoli has felt Couture’s impact as an opponent.

“It’s funny. Half those stories were about him saying I was against him,” Toffoli said. “Those playoff series, I know how hard he was to play against, and his compete. I remember him fighting Mike Richards at center ice in LA. It’s definitely a weird feeling being happy and excited for him, knowing that I played against him.”

Toffoli spent eight seasons with the LA Kings and was a long rival of the Sharks.

William Eklund wants to pick up what Couture leaves behind

San Jose Sharks winger William Eklund has stepped up in big situations for his team this season. Logan Couture was a big game player for San Jose, and Eklund knows someone needs to step up in the biggest moments.

“The guy Logan was, he was just a true athlete and professional. You see how he acted all around hockey and in the community,” Eklund said. “When you have guys like that leave, you’ve got to have someone step up. I’m not saying it’s going to be me every time, but I want to try to be as clutch as I can be. We have good, young players coming up, and we want to build something special here together.”

Eklund is completing his second full season in the NHL and has set career highs with 17 goals and 48 assists.

Will Smith is thankful for what Couture provided the Sharks during his rookie season

San Jose Sharks rookie Will Smith won’t ever play a game with Logan Couture, but he’s taken advice from the captain.

“He’s still our captain. You try to take away as much as you can from him when he’s here,” Smith said. “I mean, that’s definitely a guy that I knew was here [last season]. He’s the captain and someone I wanted to play with. Obviously, it didn’t work out, but still getting to be around him is pretty cool.”

Smith has enjoyed terrific success in the second half of the season with 30 points (12 goals, 18 assists).

“I mean, the comeback against Vegas. Talking to him about that is pretty cool. That was probably the best story.”

Macklin Celebrini keeps Couture’s messages to him close to the chest

Star Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini didn’t want to get into too much of what Logan Couture has given him, but he is very thankful.

“It is tough seeing a guy like that retire. I have had the privilege to talk to him a little bit and pick his brain,” Celebrini said. “It sucks. He meant a lot to this organization, a lot of the players in here, past [and] present. He left a legacy here that will be remembered.”

Celebrini has captain material written all over his future, and his connection to Couture could help shape the type of leader he will be, regardless of whether he is ever named captain.

“I think just every game, every couple of months, you reflect and realize how much your game has grown,” Celebrini said.

The Sharks lost their captain and one of the most clutch players in franchise history. As seen through the Sharks players, Couture’s impact on the roster won’t be lost.

Read more Sharks Hockey Digest news and stories with the links below! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest!

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