2016-17 record: 46-29-7 (99 points)
Lost to Edmonton in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Joe Pavelski
A year after making the Stanley Cup Finals, the San Jose Sharks discovered that the Stanley Cup hangover was a reality, as they were given the run around by Edmonton in the opening round. Now, the Sharks are facing a crossroads, as for the first time since 1997, they will be without Patrick Marleau. They will also be another year older, and with few solutions in the pipeline that are ready for primetime.
Marleau was the main player that left the Sharks, and he took 25 plus goals with him to Toronto. It will be up to the likes of underachieving Joonas Donskoi, Chirs Tierney, and Mikkel Boedker to get their offense up and running. Joe Pavelski is still productive, as is Joe Thornton, but both are on the wrong side of 30. Defensively, they're still very good, as Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are signed to long term deals, and both should provide at least five good seasons each. Third pairing players are a question, but they have good depth here and should be fine. In goal, Martin Jones is proving by the day why he was given an extension, though Aaron Dell is likely to see more time, as he proved to be a solid backup. Special teams will need work, as both were in the bottom half of the league.
Prediction: 3rd in the Pacific Division
The Sharks still have the talent to make the playoffs, but the window is rapidly closing, and it bears watching the job security of Pete DeBoer, as they took a step back from their Stanley Cup Final run.
No comments:
Post a Comment