ELMONT, NEW YORK – At 0-3-2 through five games, the San Jose Sharks are once again trying to find their identity.

Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky is trying to find the right line combinations while still taking on the hardest challenge of building a winning culture.

Warsofsky has had his fair share of bad moments in front of the media already this season, but he has taken full responsibility for how the team is playing.

“Our players are extremely frustrated, as is the staff. Are we going to quit? We’re five games into this thing,” Warsofsky said after a 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. “What’s happened, has happened. We got to work. I need to get this team to improve and individuals to improve. It’s on me.”

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The message from #SJSharks coach Ryan Warsofsky postgame: “We didn’t compete hard enough.”— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) October 15, 2025

The struggles the San Jose Sharks are facing will help build their character. Warsofsky has always been an emotional coach, as evidenced by his quote about giving up one of his children for a win. But he knows he needs to not deviate from being himself.

“I’m going to be who I am. I think I’ve done that my whole career. That’s the reason why I’ve had some success in some areas,” Warsofsky said on Monday. “I’ve obviously learned from some really good coaches in this league. I’ve had some great mentors. I can’t be Mike Sullivan. I can’t be Rod Brind’Amour. I’ve got to be Ryan Warsofsky, and I know that. The other day, it was about the players, and it’s my job to get them prepared and to start winning hockey games. I understand that.”

This is a results-based sport, but some of the results need to come from players with strong character. Warsofsky hasn’t been shy when discussing how he and GM Mike Grier are looking at their roster. They are trying to build winning habits and will ensure the roster is filled with players who can help achieve that.

“It’s the NHL. This is a man’s League. You’re playing for a lot. You are playing for the logo on your chest, but you’re also playing for the name on the back of your jersey as well,” Warsofsky said last Wednesday. “There’s some real truth to that. Your legacy and how you want to be remembered: Do you want to be the guy that helps fix us and get us out of this thing? Or do you want to be the guy that is not the solution? That’s really what comes down to for me.”

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The players recognize the need for toughness through adversity

With the San Jose Sharks facing the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the apparent case of adversity is Matthew Schaefer. The rookie has dealt with an immense amount of loss in his life.

Warsofsky and many of the Sharks recognize how well-spoken and mature the 18-year-old is.

“The kid has been through a lot. Just listening to him, he’s a very well spoken person, and he’s obviously a very talented hockey player,” Warsofsky said. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders with his brother and his dad. The whole story, it’s tragic, but you can tell he’s got a high, high character. Probably a lot of it from his mom. He’s a special talent.”

Top prospect Luca Cagnoni won’t play on Tuesday, but he sees the character that Schaefer has built. When looking at it from a broader view, the Sharks prospect knows that good hockey character usually means a good hockey player.

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“His story is special, and he’s obviously a really special player. You see what he’s done so far in the season, so praise to him,” Cagnoni told SHD.

Cagnoni believes that having good character is beneficial in everyday life.

“Character is huge. It can get you a lot of places, even outside of hockey. He’s a really good kid, and that’s all you can really ask for when you’re a young guy in the league,” Cagnoni said. “Just show up and have a smile on your face. On the ice, you guys love him on the [Islanders], I’m sure. Just stick to that and [you’ll] have success.”

Puck drop for Tuesday’s game is at 4 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on NBCSCA and on the Sharks Audio Network.

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