2014-2015 Review

Last year was an off year for the perennial playoff contenders. A year after the Sharks won 51 games, the team failed to make the playoffs with only 40 wins. It was the first time since 2002-2003 that the Sharks were not in the playoffs. While the offense overall underachieved, Joe Pavelski was dynamite, scoring 37 goals and putting up 70 points. Logan Couture also had a great year scoring 27 goals and notching 67 points. In the end though, it was not enough to cover up the 24th ranked defense in the NHL.

New Additions

Joel Ward

One way to solve a defense that gave up 2.8 GPG is to get forwards that play better defensively. Ward may not put up flashy numbers, but he is a solid two way player who at the age of 34 can bring veteran leadership to the younger players on the team. His career 17 +/- is better appreciated when you realize that he has only put up 40 points once, meaning it’s rare for Ward to be on the ice when the team gets scored on.

Paul Martin

The Sharks also added some help to their blue line. Martin, just like Ward, is not the flashiest player, but it is hard to score on him. He has a career 100+/- and has played over 20 MPG for his entire career. He is easily a top 4 defenseman and a good pick up for the Sharks.

Martin Jones

The back up to Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles, Jones hopes to follow in the footsteps of Jonathan Bernier and prove himself to be a starting goaltender after leaving the Kings. He hasn't even started 30 games in the NHL yet, but he already has seven shut outs. He also has a 1.99 GAA in his two years up at the NHL.

Key Losses

Antti Niemi

Niemi was as solid a NHL starter as they come. His 2.39 GAA and .914 SV% are what you would expect out of a solid goaltender. He also never had a season in San Jose where his SV% dropped below .913.  He was the Blackhawks starting goaltender when they won their 2010 cup, and is a proven clutch performer.

Biggest Strength

Power Play

The one real bright spot for the Sharks last year was their power play. They were 6th in the league in that department, which really helped their 15th ranked offense. Joe Pavelski deserves the most credit for this, scoring 19 power play goals. Blue liner Brent Burns also deserves credit, scoring seven power play goals of his own. With Couture, Thornton and Marleau joining them, the Sharks should again have an elite power play.

Biggest Weakness

Goaltending

With the departure of Niemi, the Sharks have a lot of uncertainty in net. They could turn to their back up last year, Alex Stalock. He did have a down year last year, putting up a losing record and a .902 SV&. They could also turn to new arrival Martin Jones. His .906 SV& last year was also disappointing, and neither goaltender has had the pressures of being a starting goalie yet.

Bottom Line

This team last year gave up way to many goals to be in the playoffs last year, and it is hard to see that change now that they have two young unproven goaltenders in net. Another problem they could start to face is age. Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are both 36 and saw their production dip a little bit last year. They should be seen as a long shot to make the playoffs, but with the talent on their roster could make some noise if they do manage to make it to the post season.

Fantasy Slant

Most Overrated: Patrick Marleau

Marleau failed to get to 20 goals last year. The last time that happened, not including the lockout, was in 2007-2008.  Since the turn of the century, it’s been almost a given Marleau will score at least 20 goals, but it seems that age has finally caught up to him. Still, because of his name, he will get drafted high again by someone who is not ready to realize that at the age of 36 Marleau’s best years are behind him.

Most Underrated: Joe Pavelski

Pavelski has quietly emerged as one of the elite centers in the NHL. Over the last three years not affected by the lock out, he has scored at least 30 per season. In the last two years alone he has scored 78 goals, behind only Ovechkin. At the age of 31, he is in the middle of his prime and is one of the more trustworthy centers in the NHL.

Biggest Surprise: Tomas Hertl

Since Hertl has come to the NHL, there have been flashes of brilliance that show what his future could be. For example, in his first month in the NHL he scored eight goals, including an incredible four-goal outing against the Rangers. Now in his third year, the time could be now for him to become more consistent and really see an increase in production.