Outpoll | Shanghai coach on leading West, SKA's poor start.

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Shanghai coach on leading West, SKA's poor start.

Shanghai coach on leading West, SKA's poor start.

2 days ago7 min read3 comments

So, picture this: Shanghai’s head coach, Gerard Gallant, is sitting there after another W, and he just casually drops a line about maybe, possibly, bringing in Sidney Crosby from the Pittsburgh Penguins. I mean, come on, you can’t make this stuff up—it’s the kind of off-the-cuff remark that gets the group chat buzzing, right? But let’s rewind a bit, because this isn’t just some random quip; it’s part of a bigger story that’s got the hockey world doing a double-take.Shanghai Dragons, yeah, the same team that used to be everyone’s underdog punchline, are now sitting pretty at the top of the Western Conference, and they’ve racked up six wins in their last seven outings. Gallant, the guy steering this ship, was all smiles post-game, breaking down how they crushed it in the first period, hit a few bumps in the second, but then locked it down like pros.He’s not one to get too hyped—sure, he’s happy, but he’s quick to remind everyone that the regular season is a marathon, not a sprint. And honestly, that’s the vibe here: they’re playing with a swagger that’s hard to ignore, especially in that recent clash with Dinamo, where they dominated all 60 minutes like it was a highlight reel on repeat.Now, flip the script to SKA, the other St. Pete squad that’s stuck in eighth place and struggling to find their footing.Gallant played it cool, saying he doesn’t know much about their drama—classic coach speak, focusing on his own house—but you can’t help but wonder what’s going on over there. Are they dealing with locker room issues, or just a string of bad luck? Meanwhile, Shanghai’s goalies are putting on a clinic, standing on their heads night after night, and Gallant made sure to shout them out as the real MVPs.When the topic of roster moves came up, he kept it real: no big shakes for now, but he’s in constant chat with the GM, always looking for ways to level up. And that Crosby joke? It’s not just a throwaway line—it’s a nod to the confidence bubbling in this squad, a team that’s gone from afterthought to headline act.Think about it: in a league where powerhouses like SKA usually dominate, Shanghai’s rise feels like a sports movie in the making. They’re adding layers as the season rolls on, and if they keep this energy, we might be looking at a Cinderella story that’s way more than just a hot streak. So, grab your popcorn, folks, because this ride is just getting started.