As we approach the 2016-17 season, we’re previewing what’s ahead for each of the 30 NHL teams. Here’s what’s on deck for the San Jose Sharks.
MAIN SUMMER HEADLINES
• Mikkel Boedker signs four-year, $16 million deal with Sharks
• Former Sharks defenceman Dan Boyle retires
• Joe Pavelski named captain of Team USA at World Cup
Head coach: Peter DeBoer
GM: Doug Wilson
Team payroll: $72.01 million ($73 million salary cap)
2015-16 Record: 46-30-6 (Third in Pacific)
GF: 241 (4th in NHL)
GA: 210 (11th in NHL)
Result: Lost in Stanley Cup final
Acquisitions: Mikkel Boedker, David Schlemko
Key departures: Nick Spaling, Matt Tennyson, Roman Polak, James Reimer
Rookies To Watch: With Timo Meier battling mono, there is an opportunity on the Sharks for some young blood right now. Leading the way could be Kevin Labanc, a sixth-round pick from the 2014 NHL Draft. The 20-year-old is in his first season out of junior hockey, where he finished with back-to-back 100-plus point seasons playing for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. It’s not expected that Labanc would earn top-six time or anything, but it would be a great development for him to earn NHL time so fast.
Another rookie, Nikolay Goldobin, is still in the running as well. A first round pick (27th overall) from 2014, Goldobin is also having a good showing at camp. He earned a nine-game trial run with the Sharks last season, during which time he scored a goal and an assist. Both players could be in San Jose’s lineup for the pre-season finale Sunday, when they have one last shot to make their case for the opening night lineup.
San Jose will have a successful season if…
The special teams that dominated the NHL in the regular and post-season continues to thrive — and if Martin Jones continues to show he’s an undisputed No. 1 NHL goalie.
San Jose’s power play was perhaps its biggest asset last season, finishing third in the regular season with a 22.5 per cent success rate, and second in the playoffs with a 26.3 per cent rate. It’s crucial they continue to be successful in that area and take full advantage of the openings their opponents give them.
Also, Jones needs to repeat what he did a season ago. Consistency is key for NHL goalies and although Jones was great (.918 save percentage, 2.27 GAA) in his first full year as a starter, he still needs to show it wasn’t a one-off. The 26-year-old had been a backup before last season and without a proven safety net behind him in the crease for now, the Sharks are all-in on Jones. If he posts similar, or better, numbers in 2016-17, San Jose will again be a force and a favourite to win the Pacific Division.
San Jose will have an unsuccessful season if…
Age suddenly catches up to Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.
Thornton, 37, is coming off a terrific season for the Sharks, but with a short summer made even more brief due to the World Cup, what kind of a toll will it have on his body in, say, February or March? Thornton was a point-per-game player in 2015-16, a year after falling to 65 points (which is still great) so it’s worth wondering just how much he can contribute over another full, long season. You have to figure it will eventually catch up to him…one day anyway.
Meanwhile, Marleau has been in steady decline for three years, with his point totals falling to 48 last season. The Sharks have north of $13 million committed to these two for one more season, so they’re locked in for another run. But of course, when two late-30s players are so important to your lineup, the situation is worth monitoring.
