I’m truly scared for the Sharks if they go all in this season
There are two locks in the Pacific Division when it comes to Playoffs and neither of them is the San Jose Sharks. The Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers should be one and two respectively but don’t put anything past the Oilers who tend to mess up constantly. After those two it’s a complete free for all to determine that final playoff place. Which is why I’m truly scared for the Sharks this season.
There is no way San Jose should be vying for the playoffs this season. Let me say that louder for the people asleep in the back. THERE IS NO WAY SAN JOSE SHOULD BE VYING FOR THE PLAYOFFS THIS SEASON. Yet considering the dumpster fire that is the Pacific Division and General Manager Doug Wilson’s trigger happy trade finger I can see him destroying the long-term stability of this team for an early playoff exit.
What trade-happy Doug should do is stay the course, not make the playoffs, get a lottery pick, and hope it’s high. Or at least high enough that when other teams lose their minds they can snatch up a gem like William Eklund ala this year. And if they are not good enough reasons also remember you are paying Mario Ferraro and Tomas Hertl next off-season.
So in case, you haven’t guessed I’m saying the Sharks are in rebuild mode… or at least should be. If you don’t like that Erik Karlsson then let’s see how many teams are willing to take a chance on a 31-year-old whose injuries have significantly slowed him down. Yeah, that’s what I thought. Sit your ass down and be happy to pick up your 11.5 AAV paycheck.
PROJECTED LINEUPS:
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
| Timo Meier | Logan Couture | Kevin Labanc |
| Alexander Barabanov | Tomas Hertl | Evander Kane |
| Rüdolfs Balcers | Nick Bonino | John Leonard |
| Andrew Cogliano | Dylan Gambrell | Matt Nieto |
| LEFT DEFENSEMAN | RIGHT DEFENSEMAN |
| Mario Ferraro | Brent Burns |
| Nikolai Knyzhov | Erik Karlsson |
| Radim Simek | Marc-Édouard Vlasic |
| GOALTENDERS |
| James Reimer |
| Adin Hill |
The Sharks didn’t necessarily get better this off-season but they took care of a major problem that was holding them back and that was Martin Jones and his contract. Placing him on waivers to buy out his contract was the right move even if it is costing $12.25 million over the next six years in cap hit. It needed to be done. I’m just surprised another NHL team picked him up if I’m honest.
PLAYER/S TO WATCH:
Expect Tomas Hertl to do everything in his power this season to earn a big payday next, whether that’s with the Sharks or not. I’m also looking forward to seeing Mario Ferraro continue his growth on the defensive end. Other than that the ongoing Evander Kane fiasco is the only thing worth tuning in for. And that’s exactly how you want it, Doug. Put that finger away.
PROJECTED FINISH:
I’m going to put the Sharks sixth in the Pacific as I know the Ducks will be worse than them and any number of the Seattle Kraken, Calgary Flames or Vancouver Canucks could finish below them too. The change is coming for San Jose and Bay Area fans should be excited. It’s just not here yet. I hope Doug Wilson knows that because if not I’m truly scared for the Sharks and you should be too.
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