SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks start another NHL season billed as a team that has the talent to be considered a favorite to compete for the Stanley Cup. However, those who are bold enough make predictions for what team will have their name engraved on the most coveted trophy in professional sports aren’t picking San Jose; and who can blame them.
For years now the Sharks have had great regular seasons but have underachieved in the playoffs. Last season could be argued as an exception. They made it to the conference finals and were one of four teams remaining before they were swept by the eventual cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks. Three of the four games were decided by one goal including an overtime loss. The numbers of pro sports would make you believe that the Shark’s are due to break through and win Lord Stanley’s Cup in this, the 20th year of the team’s existence, but I have a feeling the bookies in Vegas aren’t taking a lot of calls concerning San Jose.
Let’s take a closer look at the Sharks by position.
Goaltending:
This is where the most dramatic change has taken place for this team. Long time Shark Evgeni Nabakov who was drafted in the 9th round 219th overall in the 1994 NHL entry draft has been a work horse for the team teal over the years. Nabby, as the hometown crowd called him was nominated for the Vezina Trophy which is awarded to the league’s best net minder and started over 70 games twice in his career.
Taking his spot are two Finns, Antti Niemi who was the starting goalie for the Chicago Blackhawks last year and Antero Niittymaki. Niittymaki was signed on the first day free agency, while Niemi didn’t become available until recently after a bitter divorce from Chicago that went to arbitration. Tomas Griess was the back-up goalie last year and although he posted good numbers finds himself the odd man out. Having three NHL caliber back stoppers is never a bad thing especially if injuries play a role but if they don’t than that is another player that GM Wilson will have at his disposal.
Taking nothing away from Nabakov’s accomplishments, he was the benefactor of a good team system played in San Jose and the Finnish duo should have no troubles delivering stellar goaltending. Compared to 2009/10 the goals against average for this team should remain the same give or take a point and the goaltending will be a wash.
Defense:
This is where the San Jose Sharks will find themselves vulnerable this year with their current roster. With the retirement of Rob Blake after last season (and he has confided in me that he won’t pull a Brett Favre) this leaves a gaping hole on a defensive core that needed some upgrading to begin with. Blake’s leadership and stability on the point will be missed along with his 30 points and +14 rating.
At last year’s trade deadline they picked up 35 year old Niclas Wallin who was signed to a contract extension. On a team where the nucleus of the blue line is not extremely youthful this could come back to bite the Sharks. Wallin is a big body out there but his mobility is not what it used to be in a league where the average age continues to get younger and the players faster.
Dan Boyle is the glue on the blue line for the Sharks and no other player is as important to the team’s success than he is. Boyle is a great influence to his teammates and is the go to guy in all situations. His scoring touch for a defenseman is extraordinary. His puck carrying ability is not something that can be coached along with his decision-making and he logs big minutes night in and night out. One player San Jose cannot afford to lose during the season is Dan Boyle.
Jason Demers has shown great potential to be Boyle-like but that transformation does not happen overnight. He is a bright spot on the blue line who has yet to show us his best hockey at the NHL level.
With nobody other than Derek Joslin in the minors who has NHL experience, expect to see General Manager Doug Wilson acquire at least one if not two rearguards before the trade deadline. An ideal situation would be to land both a puck mover as well as a physical player to bolster the back end for a playoff run.
Forwards:
The forward position is as rich as it can be for any NHL team. The talent and depth up front for the Shark’s puts a smile on my face as the thought enters my mind.
We all know about the top line consisting of Joe Thornton in the middle with Patrick Marleau on one side and Dany Heatley on the other. This line strikes fear into the best defensemen in the league because they have everything. They are all well over six feet tall and the average weight is 220 pounds. They can beat you with speed, finesse, reach and two of the three are snipers while the other is known for his sweet set up hands.
That element was there last season but what will make the forwards better going forward will be the coming out of Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. Pavelski learned how to take his game to the next level at the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver and in the playoffs last year where he shook the nickname “Little Joe” and became known as “The Big Pavelski.” He finished the season including the playoffs at a point per game pace and carried his team through the first round and a half of the playoffs scoring clutch goals while his teammates found their stride. Pavelski just turned 26 years old this past summer and signed a four year contract extension.
Logan Couture was drafted 9th overall in 2007 of the NHL entry draft in what was considered a weak draft year. After 53 points in 42 games at the AHL level Couture was given his shot with the Sharks and did not disappoint. This young man added some bulk over the summer and now knows what to expect at the NHL level. So far he has shown that he doesn’t shy away from situations and contributed with some big goals in a limited role last season including four in the playoffs.
Couture will most likely start on the 3rd line in a checking role but that doesn’t mean he won’t fill the net. The fact that he won’t be relied on to contribute on a scoring line should make his transition to becoming a full time NHLer that much easier. When teams are playing against San Jose the 3rd line won’t get a great deal of attention from the opponents top defenders. That may change if Couture lives up to his potential.
With great depth at the NHL and the AHL level the Sharks are as strong as they come for the foreseeable future at this position.
The Intangibles:
The intangibles for this team are going to be how many games are lost to injury, some good fortune and whether or not they have the heart to make the jump to the next level in the post season.
Heart is something that athletes can grow into. Like skill, it can be worked on in the off-season. How they train in the summer months and putting in that extra hour or two each day all effects the 82 game grind one way or another.
Personnel changes can also alter the attitude of teams. When you look at this Shark’s team and their nucleus of players it is hard not think that they won’t be better than they were at the end of last year. They are still very young up front and are still improving.
They play in a tough and improved division from years past which will help them prepare for the games that count the most come springtime, but know that until this skilled roster proves that they can win the big games they will be known as the underachieving team from the Bay.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Contact the writer at: Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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