Predicting the San Jose Sharks’ Forward Lines and Stats

First Line

Nov 27, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) jumps into center Joe Thornton (19) after Thornton

RW – #8 – Joe Pavelski – 82 GP – 46 G – 36 A – 82 P – +30 – 26 PIM

C – #19 – Joe Thornton – 82 GP – 8 G – 76 A – 84 P – +22 – 36 PIM

LW – #48 – Tomas Hertl – 81 GP – 35 G – 11 A – 46 P – +17 – 20 PIM

Why this works: Pavelski, Hertl, and Brent Burns all had success playing on the top line with Thornton last year. With Burns’ move back to defense, Hertl and Pavelski seem like the logical choices here.

Pavelski played half of last season on a line with Thornton and scored 41 goals. Imagine if he plays a full season with him. That’s why I have him at 46. And honestly, he could surpass that if the pair get really hot. As for Thornton, playing with two 35+ goal scorers, you are going to get a lot of assists. Add Hertl into the equation and that is one of  the best lines in hockey. I will definitely have to get a least one of them on my fantasy team.

I do not see any alterations to this line, at least at the beginning of the year, unless Head Coach Todd McLellan decides to do it all differently and do something like Pavelski, Hertl and Logan Couture. I really just do not see that happening though.