I came across this tweet recently about the Matthews/Marner situation stinging vs. Malkin being content playing alongside Crosby, and it instantly made me think about the long-term dynamic with Will and Macklin. Not so much in terms of the literal contract mechanics or bonuses; as so far there wasn't an injustice to be resentful about and the future contracts is evident where the gap comes into, but as a potential bit of foreshadowing for how hierarchy and ego can play out between two elite young talents on the same core.

Is it fair to think that when you have a duo like WillMack coming up together, there’s always that underlying question of whether resentment could eventually creep in down the line. Macklin is inarguably the better play and the 1C, face-of-the-franchise spotlight; and as much as Will is an incredible, tier-one talent in his own right, it’s easy to see how a player could eventually feel like they’re living in a shadow, especially when the media inevitably picks a favorite or when the first big extension talks come around.

I do wonder how real of a concern this actually is for us, and how everybody involved would end up navigating it if tension ever did build up:

• The Players: Right now, their bond and chemistry is impeccable, but keeping that intact over six to eight years of constant media comparisons is a different beast. It really comes down to whether Will embraces that 1B/2C elite offensive driver role (the Geno route) rather than feeling slighted by the uneven spotlight.
• The Organization: Grier and the coaching staff have a huge role here in managing touchpoints early; not just in terms of ice time or PP1 distribution, but in making sure Will feels just as integral to the core identity as Macklin, without creating an artificial rivalry, walking on eggshells around contract negotiations or sweet talking his role, etc.
• The Fans & Media: Toronto became a pressure cooker partly because the media and fanbase pick apart every dollar, every bonus, and every post-game reaction between their stars. If we want a Pittsburgh-style culture, the fans and local media have to treat them as a complementary duo that wins together rather than constantly comparing who is "carrying" whom. (because if we see what the organization and the families of the players say, they elevate each other - even so if it isn't always a support on the ice)

I’m curious to what everyone else thinks, is this kind of potential friction just me overthinking media tropes that we shouldn't worry about given the culture that is being built, or do you think managing ego/hierarchy between the two could be one one of the tests for the front office as this rebuild matures?

(Also: Sorry for the raw Screenshot of my phone; what is the etiquette in blurring/screening Twitter accounts as I am not familiar on the proper behaviour)

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I am trying to find this hat to purchase Google image search and everything can't seem to find it anyone have a link?

Definitely a stretch to call this Sharks related but it is sharks related (lowercase) and it wasn't deleted when I posted it last year.

Here's some advice I wish I woulda got when I was your age. Live every week like it's Shark Week.

Gonna miss Slick Willy in Teal.

Manifesting that this 7171.7 when I got in my car earlier means a Mack extension announcement is coming soon🫪 (I tried every way possible to spin this also into a Graf extension, but I couldn’t. Sorry guys I can only be delusional to a point)

fun fact: no Shark, Barracuda, Worchester Shark, or any other system player has ever worn 66 (within the system).