Predicting the Sharks’ Defensive Pairings and Stats
By Erik West
Third Defensive Pair
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Mirco Mueller poses for a photo with team officials after being introduced as the number eighteen overall pick to the San Jose Sharks during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
#41 Mirco Mueller – 76 GP – 11 G – 21 A – 32 P – -8 – 24 PIM
#5 Jason Demers – 80 GP – 9 G – 33 A – 42 P – -9 – 26 PIM
Why this works: This will be Jason Demers‘ sixth season in the NHL, which ranks him fourth among Sharks defenseman and can help guide Mueller through his first season in teal. Likewise Mirco Mueller can help “shore up” some of Demers’ defensive mistakes and let him take the reigns offensively. This is a solid third pairing for the NHL and they will both help each other have career years (well kind of for Mueller).
Hannan could also fill in at times if the pair is not working out. Hannan could definitely help Mueller mature with his 16 years of NHL experience.