San Jose Sharks Searching for Consistency After Slow Start

Nine games into the season with a 4-5 record, the San Jose Sharks are still seeking answers in putting in a complete game.

For head coach Peter DeBoer, the San Jose Sharks have yet to find their footing in the early NHL season. Plenty of questions surrounded the team heading into training camp and so far, the issues still need answers.

The big concern was filling the void left by Patrick Marleau, now with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Early promise came from Kevin Labanc in the opener against Philadelphia, scoring two goals. Since the two goals, Labanc has only scored once.

General manager Doug Wilson is allowing young players to step up this season. Players from the San Jose Barracuda made indication after a run to the Western Conference Finals last season. The hope is the success will translate for the players to play with the Sharks at a consistent level.

San Jose Sharks

Results have been unsuccessful so far. Timo Meier is perhaps San Jose’s top prospect and was a virtual lock to make the lineup. He has yet to hit his stride with only two points.

DeBoer scratched Meier from the lineup against the New York Rangers. He responded with a strong game against Boston but has not found his effectiveness during his time with the Barracuda.

Jannik Hansen was acquired before the trade deadline last season to play on the top line of Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, a move which has not panned out and has been evident in the Sharks’ play. Labanc has been on the top line, but DeBoer is still juggling players to find offense.

Logan Couture is by far San Jose’s top performer as he leads the team with seven goals and ten points. He recorded a hat trick against the New York Islanders, though his team ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard in a 5-3 loss.

Back to goal production, where bounce-back seasons for a few current Sharks’ players have been duds. Mikkel Boedker appeared to figure out what DeBoer expects from his players after a strong training camp. He has not delivered yet, with only one goal on the season. He did have solid outings in his last two games, but goals still elude the speedy winger.

For the Sharks to fill the 27-goal mark left by Marleau, a committee of players must step up. Joonas Donskoi only has two goals, and DeBoer has high expectations after his breakout season from two years ago.

Donskoi, Boedker, and Meier need to play better or will find themselves out of the lineup.

Blame cannot go entirely on the youth as the Sharks’ core players have come out of the gates slow. Thornton and Pavelski struggled in the first couple of games but have now become more significant presences in recent games.

Perhaps the most significant concern for the Sharks moving forward is the play of Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns. He has only six assists on the season, but has been without defensivee partner Paul Martin. The two have been a solid defense pairing which has allowed Burns to jump in on the attack.

Martin has been out with an injury and did not travel on the current road trip. Despite his absence, both Tim Heed and Joakim Ryan look to be full-time NHL defenseman for the Sharks.

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Ryan has taken Martin’s spot alongside Burns. After a slow beginning, Burns is starting to assert himself more by putting pucks on net. Heed made a presence with the Barracuda for his offense and is becoming present on the Sharks.

He scored his first NHL goal against the Rangers on a fluke angle past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

With the emergence of Heed and Ryan, Dylan DeMelo is likely the odd-man out once Martin is healthy. Heed or Ryan will probably become the seventh defensemen who will travel with the team.

DeMelo was expected to finally take hold of the sixth-spot, but has been surpassed on the depth chart by the more skilled defensemen in Heed and Ryan.

After signing a contract extension, Martin Jones got off to a shaky start in net. His starts against Philadelphia and Los Angeles left concerns about if he lost the edge after leading the Sharks to a Stanley Cup Final appearance two seasons ago. He got pulled against the Kings after the Sharks came out flat and lacked a competitiveness to win.

Since being pulled, Jones has regained his form and looks formidable. Unfortunately, he did his job in giving the Sharks a chance to beat the Bruins last game but skated off in a 2-1 defeat.

San Jose should have at least two more wins than the current record at 4-5. A typical trend has been seen where the Sharks completely dominate with shots on net but come away with a loss. The first came at home against the Islanders and recently against the Bruins.

Buffalo will conclude San Jose’s first road trip of the season before a critical homestand opens. The first game will feature the return of Marleau, Mr. San Jose Shark, as the Maple Leafs make their only appearance at the Shark Tank this year.

Three teams who made the playoffs last season will test the Sharks to see how serious of a contender the team is. Nashville, Anaheim, and Tampa Bay are off to decent starts and will undoubtedly provide an early glimpse on how the season could shape up for San Jose.

Next: San Jose Sharks Finalize Roster, Ready for Season

Overall, no real cause for panic with the Sharks as the team is beginning to play better hockey. On the current five-game road trip, the Sharks have not allowed a power-play goal and special teams are getting opportunities. Los Angeles and Vegas may be ahead in the Pacific Division, but their pace will not last.