San Jose Sharks: Decisions Looming as Bye Week Concludes
By Andrew Bet
After a week-long break, the San Jose Sharks return to the ice in what is expected to be a battle to grab a spot in the playoffs.
The recent road trip by the San Jose Sharks was one to forget. Instead of heading into the break feeling confident, players ended up with sour tastes in their mouths. San Jose concluded the road swing with a 1-2-2 mark.
A 5-0 loss to Dallas did not make a great beginning, but the meltdown in Ottawa revealed flaws on the current roster. The Sharks surrendered three-goal leads twice as the Senators rallied in the third period to complete a 6-5 win in overtime.
In Winnipeg, the Sharks got outplayed from the start as the Jets cruised to a 4-1 victory. San Jose players appeared ready for the break before puck drop as the effort looked dismal.
San Jose Sharks
Perhaps the Winnipeg Jets took exception to the fact players from the Sharks chose the city as the least favorite place to travel. Frigid temperatures should not be an excuse as the weather highlighted the conditions outside the Canadian towns the Sharks played in during the trip.
At the unofficial halfway point of the regular season, the Sharks are in a position to make the playoffs.
The power play, which started at the bottom of the NHL, currently stands fifth. The play of Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski improved from the start of the season and are making special teams a significant influence in games.
The penalty kill is also strong, ranked second-best in the league. Goals have been given up on the penalty kill on the recent road swing but have kept the Sharks in games. San Jose is also fourth in the league in goals against.
But even strength play remains a weakness for coach Peter DeBoer and his staff. Ottawa out-hustled San Jose and was able to come back to prevent the Sharks from earning two points.
Production is coming more consistently from the young players on San Jose, but with cap space to play with, Sharks’ management must be planning some course of action. Secondary scoring is one area of need and could benefit the Sharks in the stretch run.
John Tavares and Evander Kane are two names being swirled around the NHL trade winds as both are impact players. A trade for Tavares would make him the face of the franchise and be similar to when the Sharks made the blockbuster move for Thornton. Kane would provide offense and could fit nicely on the top-two lines for the Sharks.
Tavares is slated for free agency in the offseason, and a trade could be a gamble for Doug Wilson. The Sharks will likely make a run for Tavares with the current salary cap space. With the New York Islanders now securing a long-term location for an arena, Tavares may probably opt to stick with the team who drafted him.
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Kane is a risk due to his character issues in Buffalo and Winnipeg. He has conducted himself unprofessionally at the time, often rubbing his teammates the wrong way with his commitment.
He will get a chance to prove himself as the Jets are a lock to make the playoffs. Free agency will also come to Kane this offseason.
Some move needs to happen as the answers do not appear likely within the system. Mikkel Boedker got scratched last game as he has been ineffective since his arrival in San Jose. He is due $4 million the next two seasons and trading him is difficult.
Unless he finds his offensive groove from his time with the Coyotes, Boedker is turning out to be a free agent bust.
Paul Martin should finally get back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch since rejoining the Sharks. The veteran had been on a conditioning stint with the San Jose Barracuda. He only appeared in three games as an injury sidelined him.
Answers will not likely come from current Barracuda players as the significant contributors from last season’s team are on the Sharks. The Barracuda is currently in sixth in the AHL Pacific Division standings.
Rudolfs Balcers leads the Barracuda with 24 points in 32 games played. The defense is not as strong with Tim Heed and Joakim Ryan with the Sharks and making impacts.
Martin Jones hopes to be ready after the break after a dip in his performance. Jones has not been steady in net on the road, and with a majority of games on the road in the comings months, San Jose needs their starter to come up big.
Return to action begins Saturday on Golden State Warriors Night at the Shark Tank with the Sharks hosting the Coyotes.
Next: Sharks Getting Contributions from Young Players
Decisions indeed loom large for the Sharks as the hunt for the playoffs will get into full swing. San Jose can choose to stand pat and hope the current roster can reach the postseason.