1. As bad as Alex Stalock was for the majority of the year he never got a fair shake to really take the starting job in goal. There was never any open competition as suggested last off-season – this was Niemi’s job all along. He never could get into a rhythm so I don’t really fault him for it – but there's a big question mark for the Sharks because of it.
2. Brent Burns and Logan Couture set career highs in points in a year where they both received their fair share of criticism for their play. Burns was trending in the right direction all year and became a solid top four guy – not just points-wise – by the end of the season. If he can continue that trend and Couture can figure out how to play a sound defensive game the Sharks will be significantly better.
3. Sticking with Couture, he needs to grow up. Between the whining about not getting a letter at the start of the season, the embellishments during the season, the slew foots and the whining culture comments to finish the season I’ve had about enough of his antics for one year. If Couture really wants to have a letter on his chest then perhaps he should start conducting himself like he deserves it. You can be as talented as anyone else but that doesn’t make you a good leader. Couture needs to look at Pavelski and how he goes about his business. Prove you’re a leader and you’ll be one in due time.
4. Joe Thornton spent the entire year in controversy and just kept trucking along, climbing up the all-time point ladder. He currently sits 36th All-Time for the NHL in points and will break the 1300 point mark next season. The only active player with more points than Thornton is Jaromir Jagr. Conveniently, number nineteen is 19th on the All-Time assist list as well, finishing the season with a total of 901 for his career. He’s an impressive player and the Sharks – and Sharks fans – should be excited that he isn’t going anywhere.
5. I have no problem beating a dead horse and saying Doug Wilson failed in his duties. All of the tomorrow team talk, the transition year nonsense and whatever else he decided to lie about was exhausting. The transition was non-existent. There was sporadic insertion of young players into the lineup, overuse of talentless players and a severely underperforming second line – some of them offensively, all of them defensively. Calling this year a “transition year… is an excuse for piss poor play and personnel misuse/managerial content. They should have been better, it’s that simple.
6. I expect the San Jose Sharks to be a playoff team next year. I honestly believe this year was a one-off for the current group as it stands. Will they be a Cup contending team? Not without some additions, but they should be a playoff team. Without certain veteran players eating up valuable minutes it will force the Sharks to ice the ideal group of skaters.
7. I am concerned for the roster if the Sharks choose to play Mike Brown and Raffi Torres – providing they’re in good health - as regulars. Who would you want benched in favor of Torres? He turns 34 on October 8th and has played in 5 of the last 164 regular season games. If the first thing out of someone’s mouth, when talking about your team, is that you’re hardworking then you’ve got holes to fill – because they’re really telling you that your team isn’t a real threat to anyone. Players with talent can have heart and grit – I’m not even making that up. It’s a real possibility.
8. Current expectations of Chris Tierney – as he finished the season – are justified. He’s built up the hype for himself to be an effective third line center and he should be held to that expectation. It’s up to whoever is coaching to slot him in from the start of the year – no messing around. He’s the 3C, roll with it. For Melker Karlsson the expectations need to be tempered. He’s more suited for a job further down the line than playing wingman for Joe Thornton. He had a solid rookie season and he’s a player that always puts himself in a position on the ice to succeed, but if any kid should be riding shotgun with the Joe’s next year it’s Nikolay Goldobin.
9. I wasn't a fan of Tomas Hertl’s placement all over the lineup. Nieto, sure, he’s not as offensively gifted. If Hertl is going to be a winger for the Sharks then play him in the top six. It’s not like there’s a set in stone group of six guys that are above him. There’s 19/8/12/39 and then the rest of the team. If he’s going to be a center then play him at center. He’s proved over his first two seasons he’s a responsible possession guy so he’s not going to hurt you wherever he goes – but give him a role and let him run with it.
10. Todd, Doug, you mishandled Mirco Mueller on a whole new level. It doesn't take much to ruin a prospect in the NHL and you two came dangerously close. Here’s hoping the kid takes this year as experience and forgets about everything else because he has the talent to be a good second pairing defender if he’s not chewed up and spit out all season again. Oh, and you’re both fired.
If you need to catch up on the first three parts of the review, here you go:
Thanks for reading along all season, now go put your lucky underwear on in preparation for the McLottery tomorrow. I'll continue to kill your brain cells just as much during the off-season, provided I don't get fired of course.