The San Jose Sharks have been a model of consistency for more than a decade. The team's core is essentially intact and have one of the games more impressive resumes. That's why I'm scratching my head reading all these San Jose Sharks obituaries....errr....season previews.
They have same core firmly intact and they can still be the catalyst for another extended playoff run. Or am I nuts?
Veterans Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture lead the way in San Jose. I know a dozen or more teams that would love a core like that. This club is still a playoff team and a dangerous one. The start of the regular season is fast approaching and the season previous are rolling off the screens of the games best writers and the national expectations in San Jose are low - really, really low. (I've seen them as high as 4th in the Pacific)
I already see the narrative being painted for the 2017-18 season - the team's age and the loss of Patrick Marleau.
I get it - The Sharks had a sub-par off-season by not making any major roster moves. Instead, Doug Wilson opted to push all his chips into the middle of the table with largely the same roster. Either Wilson is losing his ever-loving-mind or he's a high-stakes gambler. Wilson must believe his club has enough guile to let it ride at least one more time - in a division full of speed, youth and super stars.
If DW is good with it than so am I.
Led by Martin Jones between the pipes and playing a tough, responsible style of hockey under Pete Deboer, the Sharks will not fall that far off the face of the Earth as some would suggest.
The loss of Marleau stings in terms of his leadership, but not necessarily his offense. Last season's free-agent bust, Mikkel Boedker, is already showing signs of a bounce back season with three goals in just two preseason games. Last season's darling, Kevin Leblanc, has looked very good once again. Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl are another year older and another year wiser. Oh, and let us not forget - Thornton and Couture are healthy.
The defense is led by Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns and stalwart, Marc-Edourd Vlasic. It's been a few months but I believe in the bearded-wonder. Burns is the enigma that makes his team dangerous every time he steps on the ice and he's on the ice a lot. Burns' averaged more than 24 minutes per game over the last three seasons. We may see that number go even higher this season.
The Pacific Division is a monster. The teams are fast, talented and physical, while the Sharks are getting older and slower. That said, there is enough talent and leadership from the top down that I believe team still has the makings of a playoff team.
Let's enjoy this time of the year when all teams from Buffalo to Las Vegas still have Stanley Cup aspirations. Let's not write the Sharks off quite yet.
Thanks for reading, Steve