Hannan played 18 more minutes with Thornton. I agree, no comparison to Thornton just used it for top-six reference. I doubt that Couture-Marleau-Whoever line would be as bad generally away from total points as it was last year, but I'd rather not take the chance. Heck, maybe Couture is the issue. He's had a declining dCorsi for the last three seasons.
- Tim Chiasson

We'll take Couture off your hands then...
- lumlums

Back off Dr. Paul.

Back off Dr. Paul.
- SJSharks39

Nope. By the end of August I'll gave kidnapped him and driven him to Toronto...

Nope. By the end of August I'll gave kidnapped him and driven him to Toronto...
- lumlums

I won't let you, i'm Couture's bodyguard. You'll never get past me you limey basterd.

I won't let you, i'm Couture's bodyguard. You'll never get past me you limey basterd.
- SJSharks39

You'll tire easily due to your vegan diet. All i have to do is wait...

Pretty happy with this team moving into training camp. I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Semin on a 1 year deal for the right price.. Could end up being a steal and if not we don't lose any assets. If the roster remains unchanged I think one of Donskoi or Goldobin should be slotted on the second line. I'm leaning toward Donskoi because im not sure if Goldobins defensive game is ready for the NHL

Marleau Thornton Pavelski
Hertl Couture Donskoi
Karlsson Tierney Ward
Nieto Smith Wingels

If Tierney and smith improve on their faceoffs this looks like a team with great offensive depth on all 4 lines

Pretty happy with this team moving into training camp. I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Semin on a 1 year deal for the right price.. Could end up being a steal and if not we don't lose any assets. If the roster remains unchanged I think one of Donskoi or Goldobin should be slotted on the second line. I'm leaning toward Donskoi because im not sure if Goldobins defensive game is ready for the NHL

Marleau Thornton Pavelski
Hertl Couture Donskoi
Karlsson Tierney Ward
Nieto Smith Wingels

If Tierney and smith improve on their faceoffs this looks like a team with great offensive depth on all 4 lines
- sjsharksss

Ben Smith was 52.2% on Faceoffs for the Sharks. Couture had an awful season in the circle, and Tierney just needs time to mature and develop that aspect of his game. Couture will really need to bounce back in terms of Faceoffs.

You'll tire easily due to your vegan diet. All i have to do is wait...
- lumlums

I don't tire, i'm in peak physical condition a (frank)ing BEAST!!!

I don't tire, i'm in peak physical condition a (frank)ing BEAST!!!
- SJSharks39

One swift kick to the nards and Couture will be mine to take away!!!

One swift kick to the nards and Couture will be mine to take away!!!
- lumlums

I'll be sure to wear my cup then, you dirty pool player you.

Ben Smith was 52.2% on Faceoffs for the Sharks. Couture had an awful season in the circle, and Tierney just needs time to mature and develop that aspect of his game. Couture will really need to bounce back in terms of Faceoffs.
- IDtheJC

I think Couture will bounce back and Tierney will improve and if Smith continues at that rate i'll be happy That last spot on defense is more of a concern to me than anything at this point

I'll be sure to wear my cup then, you dirty pool player you.
- SJSharks39

Down in San Jose you dont have any cups though... ours may be old but still work...

One swift kick to the nards and Couture will be mine to take away!!!
- lumlums

I'll be sure to wear my cup then, you dirty pool player you.
- SJSharks39

Get a room you two

Down in San Jose you dont have any cups though... ours may be old but still work...
- lumlums

Down in San Jose you dont have any cups though... ours may be old but still work...
- lumlums

Hey now we've got 2 MLS Cups.

My honest opinion is that I think that Wingels needs to be traded and a flier taken on Alex Semin for a few million this year.

Outside of Thornton, Pavelski and Couture, the Sharks have no legitimate top six players. They have fill ins. Karlsson was a fill in with the Joe's and Marleau needs to be sheltered at this point - which, playing with the Joe's, would more than do the trick for max production from him.

Hertl is right there, he's an exceptional third line player and a marginal second statistically, but I think if he was given the chance this year he'd prove valuable as a top six player. He is very good with possession and that's going to help Couture. I think a combination of Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski and Hertl-Couture-X is how DeBoer has to go. The X, unfortunately, has to be Melker Karlsson. He's not fit for the top six, but I think Hertl has the swagger to help keep Karlsson afloat, and I have the hope that Couture will stop underperforming in every facet other than points.

It's not ideal, but the Sharks really have no other option. Overcasting a 34 year old Joel Ward, or Tommy Wingels, is an even worse idea. At least everyone knows Karlsson can function, and he doesn't have a large enough sample size to completely shoot him down.
- Tim Chiasson

Well said, Tim. Great article too! I haven't brought up Alex during my numerous rants and rosterbautions because I don't see anyway that DW would ever sign him. He would be a great compliment on a Hertl-Logan line though. I still believe that Marleau has the skill set to be a top 6 player but that will only happen playing with the Joes. So I would say we have 4 top 6 forwards with the Joes, Logan and Patty. Hertl will hopefully make the leap to establish himself in that role as well.

Heading into the season, we needed a starting goalie, a top 4 dman, a top 6 RW, a bottom pairing RD, a bottom 6 FWD and a true 4th line center with 3rd line ability. Doug has spent most of our money filling 3 of those needs but I hope he finishes the job and gets the other 3 taken care of. He can easily open up more cap space by doing something about Wingles, Torres and Brown. If not, you better get ready for a Torres-Smith-Brown 4th line.

Wow you really hate Tommy Wingles. I'd take him on our team any day. He comes to play every night and his skill set isn't really that terrible. We'll trade you Kunitz for him and a third? Paul Martin was a really great signing for you guys. Actually the Sharks are my second favourite team because they are usually the only game still on when I finish an afternoon shift so I've been watching them and enjoying them for about 5 years now. I've been watching the Penguins for about 29 years though. Anyways the Sharks are a signing or a trade away from being right back in there.

He had a bad year last year, on a terrible Hurricanes team. Outside of that he's had a great career, even with his two previous Hurricane seasons. He's become a fan favorite whipping boy in the NHL for no good reason.
- Tim Chiasson

Yeah there is a really good reason. 6 goals for 7 million is unacceptable, if he's a 7 million dollar talent he needs to produce much more no matter who he plays with.

I might be crazy, but I thought his name was Brian Rodriguez haha

My honest opinion is that I think that Wingels needs to be traded and a flier taken on Alex Semin for a few million this year.

Outside of Thornton, Pavelski and Couture, the Sharks have no legitimate top six players. They have fill ins. Karlsson was a fill in with the Joe's and Marleau needs to be sheltered at this point - which, playing with the Joe's, would more than do the trick for max production from him.

Hertl is right there, he's an exceptional third line player and a marginal second statistically, but I think if he was given the chance this year he'd prove valuable as a top six player. He is very good with possession and that's going to help Couture. I think a combination of Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski and Hertl-Couture-X is how DeBoer has to go. The X, unfortunately, has to be Melker Karlsson. He's not fit for the top six, but I think Hertl has the swagger to help keep Karlsson afloat, and I have the hope that Couture will stop underperforming in every facet other than points.

It's not ideal, but the Sharks really have no other option. Overcasting a 34 year old Joel Ward, or Tommy Wingels, is an even worse idea. At least everyone knows Karlsson can function, and he doesn't have a large enough sample size to completely shoot him down.
- Tim Chiasson

I want to see how Marleau does with a new coach. The last time he had a showing this bad, it was when he was sick and tired of Ron Wilson. Seems parallel lol.

Stalock was benched twice last season after shutouts and did not seem to be given a fair shake as we thought he would get.

Those two were the first two at the presser introducing the new coach. Wingels being the 3rd

He had a bad year last year, on a terrible Hurricanes team. Outside of that he's had a great career, even with his two previous Hurricane seasons. He's become a fan favorite whipping boy in the NHL for no good reason.
- Tim Chiasson

I would sign Semin if it is a one year prove it contract for low AAV.

But I would prefer other options.

I would sign Semin if it is a one year prove it contract for low AAV.

But I would prefer other options.
- j0e Th0rnton

Yeah he's definitely low risk high reward .....i just don't like his game i'd rather have a two way guy who can help on the pk be logan's RW & that's not Semin.

Wow you really hate Tommy Wingles. I'd take him on our team any day. He comes to play every night and his skill set isn't really that terrible. We'll trade you Kunitz for him and a third? Paul Martin was a really great signing for you guys. Actually the Sharks are my second favourite team because they are usually the only game still on when I finish an afternoon shift so I've been watching them and enjoying them for about 5 years now. I've been watching the Penguins for about 29 years though. Anyways the Sharks are a signing or a trade away from being right back in there.
- Dcoms

I know, I don't get it either. Tim buys into the possession numbers and "advanced" stats too much sometimes. He's consistent with it though so I respect and appreciate that. I think that Wingels is a solid third liner, and he draws so many penalties for going to the dirty areas. I'll always take someone who gets us on the PP in our bottom two lines.

Heading into the season, we needed a starting goalie, a top 4 dman, a top 6 RW, a bottom pairing RD, a bottom 6 FWD and a true 4th line center with 3rd line ability. Doug has spent most of our money filling 3 of those needs but I hope he finishes the job and gets the other 3 taken care of.
- Papa Joe19

Internally we can fill a lot of those roles too. Sure it's not a proven NHL Vet, but you can get someone who can come in and play. Sometimes you don't know what you have in a prospect until they come in and have a chance to play. Just going off your list:

Starting Goalie: Check.
Top 4 D: Check.
Top 6 RW: None signed. We have a few options internally. Especially if people play off wing.
Bottom Pairing RD: None signed, Tennyson, Demelo, and Mirco will compete for the 6th spot. If Mirco he'll probably be on his offhand.
Bottom 6 Forward: Check.
True 4th line center: I don't understand this one. Ben Smith fills this role.

I know, I don't get it either. Tim buys into the possession numbers and "advanced" stats too much sometimes. He's consistent with it though so I respect and appreciate that. I think that Wingels is a solid third liner, and he draws so many penalties for going to the dirty areas. I'll always take someone who gets us on the PP in our bottom two lines.
- IDtheJC

Wingels is better suited as a 4th liner though who can spot up on the 3rd line when needed.