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San Jose Sharks 2023-24 NHL Season Preview

Trey Daubert / NHL / October 12, 2023

San Jose Sharks 2023-24 NHL Season Preview

I couldn’t be less excited to talk about this team. The San Jose Sharks will round out the 2023-24 NHL Season previews published by me. This team is trash and run by a complete dope. Nevertheless, here is your preview of the Sharks.

Line Combination (Combinations Obtained via DailyFaceoff.com)

Not pictured are the two goalies MacKenzie Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen. Blackwood was brought in from New Jersey this offseason after a brutal stretch with the Devils. This team sucks. What do you want me to say? The team is bad enough and now won’t have Logan Couture to start the season.

New Faces

There are so many new faces but have no desire to run through them all given how this team will likely be the worst team in the league. Anthony Duclair was a savvy pickup to bring some speed to the lines. Filip Zadina could maybe do some things in an increased role. Other than that it’s a bunch of spare parts they got back in the Erik Karlsson deal.

Three Players To Watch

Mario Ferraro

Not exactly a sexy name but Ferraro has a chance to really take over this blue line. Karlsson had over 100 points last year and Ferraro is the next man up. Ferraro had 11 points last year and has never had more than 17 in any season. That number better go up this year based on the opportunity he now has. Heading into age 25, we’re about to find out what kind of player Ferraro is.

Tomas Hertl

Hertl is the Sharks best player and would be the perfect number two center on a Cup team. Unfortunately, he stuck in San Jose. It’s technically his fault. Nobody forced him to sign an extension. He’s the best player worth watching on this team.

Henry Thrun

Thrun came over late last year after the Ducks couldn’t get a contract done. The former Harvard product will start the season on the bottom pair. A young player that might have some promise. That’s all I got. Haven’t you noticed by now that I really don’t want to talk about this team?

Biggest Riser

William Eklund is probably the one young player to be excited about. Eklund is the former 7th overall pick in 2021. However, he’s only played in a handful of games. Just 17 over the last two years. It’s time to unleash Eklund. We’ll see if he can turn into a star left winger.

Biggest Faller

Marc-Edouard Vlasic blows. He’s also arguably the worst contract in the league. Things aren’t going to get better heading into age 36. He’s got two more years after this one too. Good luck with that!

The Biggest Question Is…

Will they get the number one overall pick and will the ping pong balls for their way. Nothing else matters here and it’s the only question. Other than the obvious of how many guys the Sharks sell off for future assets.