San Jose Sharks: Solid Offseason Has Team Primed For Another Run

The recent off-season moves by the San Jose Sharks have put them back in contention for another Stanley Cup run.

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Pain in the faces of the San Jose Sharks could be seen as the team looked on, watching the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a Stanley Cup win in game six at the SAP Center. Speed was the difference in the series, as the Sharks’ physical style of play could not keep pace with the high flying Penguins — despite the fact that Sidney Crosby was not much of a factor in their title win.

The sting of defeat is tough to swallow, but the Sharks’ fanbase has been re-energized after support began to waver after the team’s meltdown game seven loss in the Western Conference Quarterfinals to the Los Angeles Kings back in 2014 — a series San Jose led 3-0.

But last season’s key additions of goalie Martin Jones and forward Joel Ward helped make the franchise’s first Stanley Cup appearance a reality. Jones may have been the biggest question mark, having not played a full NHL season, but his play left no doubt between the pipes.

Although the Sharks’ aren’t currently favored to make a return to the Stanley Cup Finals, according to oddsmakers, General Manager Doug Wilson did not sit idly by when free agency began on July first. In fact, perhaps energized by the run to the finals himself, Wilson was quite busy.

He bolstered the blue line by signing David Schlemko, a versatile puck handling defenseman who registered 19 points with the New Jersey Devils last season. His -22 rating may seem alarming, but he provides an instant upgrade over Roman Polak, who left to rejoin Toronto. Expect him to be on the third pair alongside Brenden Dillon or Dylan Demelo.

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Mikkel Boedker, a first round pick in 2008 by the then-Phoenix Coyotes, may quite possibly be Wilson’s biggest acquisition this offseason. At the age of 26, Boedker is entering his prime years and can find the back of the net.

The fact that he turned down money and years from other teams meant he was willing to sacrifice just to be with a contender. Perhaps having played under head coach Peter DeBoer was a strong influence.

Fans should look for him to be skating alongside Joe Thorton, Joe Pavelski, or Logan Couture.

Boedker has yet to reach the 20 goal mark in his career, but will have a chance to produce career numbers with a playmaker like Thornton alongside him. Throughout his 445 game career, the Denmark-born winger put up solid numbers with the Coyotes. But he was traded to a struggling Colorado Avalanche team plagued by injuries and inconsistent offensive production.

His presence was not enough though, as the Avalanche could not find that switch they needed to flip to win games down the stretch, missing out on the playoffs entirely.

With the addition of Boedker and Schlemko, and the growth of talent in the farm system, a few players currently on San Jose’s roster may be feeling the heat come the start of training camp.

First is Tommy Wingels, whose production has dipped significantly and who did not perform well during the Stanley Cup Final. Wilson may have found the next Joonas Donskoi with the signing of Marcus Sorensen from the Swedish League. If Sorensen holds true, Wingels’ time in San Jose could be running short.

The re-signing of Matt Nieto is a bit of a head scratcher. He has not been the consistent player the Sharks had hoped for and yet Wilson decided to extend a qualifying offer anyway. Nieto shows his speed and why he can be effective, but doesn’t show his skills consistently.

Look for non-roster players Barclay Goodrow and Nikolay Goldobin to push Nieto out of a spot in the lineup — and maybe all the way another team.

Currently, the questions remain about the backup goalie situation. James Reimer, who was acquired from the Maple Leafs for the postseason run last year, signed with the Florida Panthers. It was a move that had been expected since the Sharks would not be able to afford him after his impressive starts in teal.

Aaron Dell may have the inside track on the job after a good season with the San Jose Barracuda, should Wilson not sign a free agent in a thin backup goalie market.

Unless some unforeseen circumstance happens, Timo Meier will be in the Sharks opening lineup when the team opens at home against the Kings. In the Sharks’ prospects game, Meier recorded a hat trick, living up to the expectations placed on him when he was drafted.

Next: San Jose Sharks: Prospects Provide Optimism For Future

There is plenty of intrigue for the boys in teal as the team looks to build off a Stanley Cup Final appearance. No doubt, the current Sharks players are hungry to get back to the finals, but also know the road ahead will be tough. The season can’t come soon enough.