The San Jose Sharks opened the 2017-18 training camp on Friday and they did it sans Mr. Shark himself, Patrick Marleau.
I'm not sure it had really set in for the Sharks players or the fans until camp started and #12 was not there.
For the first time since Bill Clinton was the POTUS, San Jose hit the ice without the man that became synonymous with the teal and black. Marleau is the franchise leader in games played, goals (508) and points (1,082), but he bolted for the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent for Toronto this summer.
Only six players in NHL history have played more games with one team than Marleau's 1,493 in San Jose. That's very special in a sports world full of big business and big contracts. I would have preferred he finish his career where it started, but Marleau and the Sharks couldn't find common ground. It's a shame really.
Marleau leaves behind a legacy of excellence and despite his advanced age, the 27 goals he goals he scored last season won't easily be replaced.
The Sharks did nothing over the summer to try and make up that lost production. The Sharks are banking on better efforts from an aging Joe Thornton, a disappointing Mikkel Boedker, the underachieving, Joonas Donskoi and inconsistent youngsters like Timo Meier and Tomas Hertl.
Without the real face of its franchise and true leader in the locker room, the Sharks begin the 2017-18 a weaker team than a year ago.
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The summer could have been worse. The Sharks could have lost both Marleau and Joe Thornton. For a while it looked as though both were as good as gone. Fortunately, Thornton and the Sharks came to terms on a one-year $8 million pact to keep the future HOF'er in Nor Cal.
Jumbo Joe is returning for his 20th NHL season and 13th in San Jose. The bearded magician comes into the season fresh from an off season knee surgery and his worst statistical season since the lockout shortened 2012-13 season.
He scored just seven goals — the fewest in an 82-game season since his rookie year in 1997-98. His 43 assists were the fewest since the lockout and his lowest output as a Sharks in an 82-game season.
The 38-year-old underwent surgery to repair his MCL and ACL after the season. He's been skating since August and Thornton said he feels "100%" and is ready to get back to helping the Sharks win hockey games.
San Jose needs all the offense it can get from this lineup. In 2016-17, the Sharks averaged 2.67 goals per game, ranking among the bottom half of the NHL. While a once dominant power play, sank to 25th in the league with a meager 16.7% success rate.
There is a lot of work to be done if this team wants to challenge for a playoff spot in the West this season.
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A link to the entire 2017-18 roster can be found HERE
Preseason Dates and Times:
Friday, September 15: Sharks Training Camp begins (9:30 A.M., Solar4America Ice)
Tuesday, September 19: Sharks vs Ducks (7 P.M., SAP Center)
Thursday, September 21: Sharks vs Golden Knights (7:30 P.M., SAP Center)
Saturday, September 23: Sharks at Coyotes (6 P.M., Gila River Arena)
Thursday, September 28: Sharks at Ducks (7 P.M., Honda Center)
Barracuda at Condors (7 P.M, Rabobank Arena)
Saturday, September 30: Barracuda vs Heat (1:30 P.M., SAP Center)
Sharks vs Coyotes (7 P.M., SAP Center)
Sunday, October 1: Sharks at Golden Knights (5 P.M., T-Mobile Arena)
The Sharks start the regular season at home on Wednesday, October 4 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers.
Thanks for reading, Steve