Update 8p.m.: San Jose sent Gus Young, Michael Haley and Bryan Lerg to Worcester in the AHL ahead of tonight's preseason game.
Also, for tonight's matchup, per Curtis Pashelka, Out: Vlasic, Schwartz, Carpenter.. IN: Tarasov, Tierney, Fedun
Tomas Hertl all but legally owns a piece of real estate on Joe Thornton’s line. The 20 year old forward got off to a torrid start in his rookie year posting 18 points in his first 20 games with the Sharks. That was followed by 17 games with a total of 7 points.
He screams talent when you see him play, he has speed, vision and smarts. He was consistently productive for the first half of his season but was an inconsistent producer for the last half. Hertl also found himself injured for nearly four months of action, coming back for two games prior to the playoff series with the LA Kings. He did, however, seem to find his offensive game again in the playoffs, recording 5 points in seven games.
The question the Sharks need an answer to is will he be the Tomas Hertl of games 1-20, or the Tomas Hertl of games 21-37? He certainly doesn’t have to score 18 points every 20 games, but when you play on the first line, and with Joe Thornton, you definitely can’t get away with posting seven points every 17 games.
Hertl is the biggest X-factor for the Sharks heading into the 2014-2015 season. His ability to find consistency and offensive success is more important than how quickly Brent Burns can adjust to life back on the blueline. Burns produced a good amount of offense while he was on forward, probably more than his top-six replacement, Matt Nieto, will produce this year. Someone has to step up and contribute above and beyond what they did last year and that player, for me, is Tomas Hertl. Joe Pavelski can’t be asked to score 40 goals again because, realistically, that may never happen.
Is it a lot of pressure to place on a twenty year old kid entering his second year? Sure it is, but it’s not out of line either. Certain expectations come with being penciled in the top six, especially on a line with one of the game’s best passers. San Jose receives adequate goaltending in a good defensive system that relies on effective production from their offense. Tomas Hertl is now a major part of that.
You could make a case that a lot is to be expected of Matt Nieto this year as he heads into his second season as well, also playing in the top six this year. Expectations are tempered for Nieto, he has a lot more room to breathe. Hertl established himself early last year as an impact player for the Sharks and he’s going to need to be that player again this year for the San Jose offense to enjoy the success is did last year during the regular season.
***** Other Notes:
Last night the Sharks dropped a 2-1(SO) decision to the Arizona Coyotes. Joe Pavelski scored the lone goal for San Jose and Antti Niemi was in goal for the non-televised affair.
San Jose is in action again tonight against Anaheim with a start time of 5p.m. PDT (8p.m. EST) in San Jose. It appears as though the Sharks are getting the same broadcasting treatment as last night.
Players active for tonight's tilt are as follows:
Forwards: Marleau, Scott, Carpenter, Desjardins, Couture, Karlsson, Schwartz, Hamilton, Hayes, Goldobin, Nieto and Goodrow.
Defense: Mueller, Demers, Vlasic, Irwin, DeMelo, Doherty and Tennyson
Goalies: Stalock, Grosenick
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