Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

The "Warriors" of Hockey?

September 17, 2018, 12:29 PM ET [22 Comments]
Steve Palumbo
San Jose Sharks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The San Jose Sharks kicked off training camp without its newest shiny toy, Erik Karlsson. The newly acquired two-time Norris Trophy winner is still working his way through the immigration process, but his absence hasn't quieted the excitement percolating within the locker room and beyond.

To a man, the Sharks' have vocalized their excitement and recognized that with great power comes great responsibility. Ownership and management are going all in and anything less than the Stanley Cup is going to be a disappointment. No pressure, right?

Some have drawn comparisons to the Golden State Warriors. San Jose's basketball brethren have won three of the last four NBA Titles and have done so with a selfless, star-studded lineup. Something the star-studded Sharks are already used to. I don't anticipate an issue with sharing the puck with one more star. Not all teams can do that. There are plenty of examples of this throughout all of the sports world. (see Washington Red Skins, Washington Nationals, Miami Heat etc.)

The Sharks' have a really good leadership group and cohesiveness hasn't been an issue in the past. Evander Kane fit in seamlessly. I expect the same for Karlsson. But, let's stop with the Warriors comps. Basketball is a totally different sport. A sport that is dictated by its stars. Much more than the NHL every could or ever will.

And although I'm excited about this teams potential, I have to encourage everybody to hold back that Christman morning giddiness until a final roster hits the ice in October. Trust me, it lessens the pain when the team is not as good as we had hoped.

It really, really helps that Tomas Hertl or Timo Meier were not part of the deal with Ottawa. This team is so darn good. Whoops, there I go. Stay calm and training camp on.

...

It sounds like Doug Wilson is very confident that he can lock up Karlsson to a long-term deal. He acted quickly is locking up Kane with an extension. San Jose's GM said he made the deal fully expecting to be able to retain EK for many, many years.

...

The Pacific Division may have improved more than any other division in the offseason. The moves Los Angeles and Calgary made. The expected bounce-back of the Oilers and of course Vegas and that whole thing. It's very possible that San Jose and Vegas could battle it out for the top spot in the division, while the rest battle it out for playoff spots. I could totally see the Ducks pulling up the rear. Another year older and virtually the same roster. Yikes.

...

Get your first look at Sharks and Ducks, when San Jose hosts Anaheim in their first preseason game on Tuesday.

...
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Join the Discussion: » 22 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Steve Palumbo
» Sharks offense in heating up; have they turned a corner?
» Radim Simek's return will help, but San Jose's issues run deep
» The Last Place Sharks; Should We Get Used To It?
» Evander Kane helping Sharks get back on track
» Patrick Marleau's big return masks Sharks woes