The San Jose Sharks and its youth movement have a lot to prove this season. They have a lot to prove to the league, to themselves, fans and to the coach. Tuesday nights preseason opener was a good start and a sign the team is moving in the right direction.

Electing to go with their in-house youth over pricey vets is a bold move from management. A bold, risky and perhaps correct move. A move that looked pretty good throughout the first 60 minutes of the preseason.

The Sharks jumped all over a faceless Anaheim Ducks team in a 5-0 win at SAP Center. It was a surprisingly dominant performance from start to finish. San Jose won all the puck possession battles, out shooting and out-attempting the Ducks more than 2-to-1, while holding Anaheim to just 17 shots at 5 v. 5.

Five different Sharks scored a goal. Mikkel Boedker, Brandon Bollig, Kevin Labanc, Filip Sandberg and Danny O'Reagan provided the offense and Aaron Dell made 24 saves in the shutout.

The special teams were equally effective. San Jose killed all four penalties against and tallied a power play goal on four chances of their own.

The 20-somethings were the story of the game.

So much so that even the typically anti-youth Pete Deboer was pleased. San Jose's coach praised the effort after the game, calling it a "solid effort." Yes, that's high praise from the normally emotionless coach. Deboer had every right to be pleased because the team played his style to a tee by focusing on structure, pace and responsible play.

As mentioned already - the young guys deserve all the praise. Besides goals from Labanc, O'Reilly and Sandberg... How about a pair of assists from both Tim Heed and Barclay Goodrow? In all, 12 different Sharks found a spot on the scoresheet.

With all the talk of more offense from the Sharks and their unproven players, this was a nice confidence booster. One meaningless preseason game, but a really nice start. Here's hoping they continue building off of it moving forward.

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Is it me, or do the Sharks have the best promo nights in the league?

From Hispanic Heritage night and the Los Tiburones shirts to Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch bobblehead night, the Sharks offer a little bit of everything for their fans.

Nothing makes me happier than a good giveaway. who doesn't love good free stuff? The Sharks make sure you get your monies worth with their promo calendar. Other teams could learn a thing or two from the teal and black promotional team.

Here is some of the other goodies on tap for 21017-18...

- Los Tiburones Jersey presented by Northern California Honda Dealers (October 14 vs. N.Y. Islanders)
- Marshawn Lynch "Beast Mode" Bobblehead (November 25 vs. the Winnipeg Jets)
- Brent Burns and Joe Thornton Barbershop Bobblehead presented by SAP (April 7 vs. the Minnesota Wild)
- Star Wars Night (Nov. 4 vs. Anaheim Ducks)
- Lunar New Year T-Shirt (Feb. 18 vs. Dallas Stars)
- Warriors-themed jersey (Jan. 13 vs. Arizona Coyotes)

Plus many, many more.

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Thanks for reading,
Steve

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