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Player Evaluations: Patrick Marleau & Justin Braun

August 16, 2013, 6:32 PM ET [7 Comments]
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Over the upcoming weeks I will be evaluating the players on the Sharks roster who have played in twenty games or more. Players will be given a number between 1-20 for their high, low, and overall. The high being how well they play at their best and the low is the opposite; the overall is what we get out of a player on the season long average.

Patrick Marleau is the longest standing San Jose Shark and has all of the significant records that come with the being Mr. San Jose.

He was drafted by the Sharks at 18 years of age second overall in 1997 and never played a game in the minors. He is and has been a great talent throughout his career, but he has a knack for leaving me wanting more.

Milan Lucic, David Clarkson, Rick Nash, David Backes, Dustin Brown, and Jarome Iginla are all names that are mentioned when talking about power forwards in the NHL. Many people feel that Patrick Marleau has the ability to be on that list…yet he isn’t.

Marleau has the size at 6’2 - 220 oz. and he is the fastest skater on that list even at his current age of 33. Marleau doesn’t have that killer instinct that would put him into this group, but many of these other guys listed don’t either; until they lace up the blades and take to the ice. Jarome Iginla on camera is just about the nicest guy there is, but he knows how to flick the switch and turn himself into a junkyard dog when he is in front of the net or in the corners.

Marleau would do well to add some attitude to his game and if he did he could become one of the premier power forwards in the league.

Lately with the rise of Logan Couture’s game Patty seems to be the forgotten man for the Sharks on many nights. He didn’t have a great year last season and 9 of his 17 goals came in the first five games before people caught up to the skilled San Jose team and found their timing. He finished the season a minus -2 and was all but absent down the stretch. Meanwhile the line mate he spent most of the year with Couture finished at plus -7.

If the Sharks are ever going to win a Stanley Cup with Marleau on board they are going to need more from this gifted athlete.

Player High Low Average
Patrick Marleau 18.5 12.5 14

Justin Braun found out what was like to face the grind of a rigorous NHL season. Although it was shortened the played a lot of games in a short period of time this past year and Braun was thrust into a new role as shutdown guy alongside Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Braun’s numbers aren’t going to impress anybody, but this is a case of delusion. By Braun proving that he is able to hold his own against the opposition’s top scorers it allowed the aging Dan Boyle to play a more offensive role and break in the rookie Matt Irwin. Braun did a great job for San Jose this year and with the ability to improve he will only get better.

Justin’s wheels were impressive when he joined the Sharks two seasons ago and he still uses them well. Braun’s top end speed is impressive but more so is he is able to hit high gear in two steps.

On many nights I would criticize him for getting caught too far up ice only to see him get back into the play and negate an odd man rush.

When he first entered the league he was known for getting his shot through to the net which is something that was lost last year when defense became a higher priority. He needs to work on getting his shots through again as well as his hands. Justin was great at jumping into the play but lacked finish or touch around the net. Fortunately for him that is something that can be worked on.

Until Braun improves his offensive side and makes his great speed a threat while jumping into the play his rating will remain low; that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have a large upside. If or when Braun gains more confidence and generates hands like Boyle from the blue line with his skating ability he could become a very proficient 2 or 3 defenseman.

Player High Low Average
Justin Braun 14 11 12.5

Be sure to catch the next evaluation when I dissect the play of newcomer Tyler Kennedy and the rock on the blue line Brad Stuart.

Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore

If you don’t want to miss any blogs follow me on twitter at Cam_Gore@twitter
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