As Mackenzie Blackwood was peeling the tape away from his teal-infused goalie gear inside the very burgundy-and-blue home locker room at Ball Arena, a voice called out from across the room. It was his new partner,

The San Jose Sharks are still working through a rebuild despite some promising play this season. Part of that rebuild includes trading productive players for assets that can benefit the team down the line.

Mackenzie Blackwood and Givani Smith are back in San Jose 10 days after the trade that sent them to the Colorado Avalanche

Watching Blackwood, talking to Wedgwood, listening to coach Bednar, there was only one conclusion to draw Thursday: Hope has returned.