San Jose Sharks: Analysis of the team’s 2018-19 forwards
By Andrew Bet
Timo Meier
After stepping up when Thornton went down last year, Timo Meier did not miss a beat. He tallied 30 goals for the first time and is line for a significant pay raise. His growth can significantly boost the Sharks chances of being Stanley Cup contenders for the coming seasons to keep the window open.
Dry spells did come at certain stages of the season for Meier as production came in bunches and then just suddenly disappeared for stretches. Meier did struggle to find the back of the net but made plays throughout the contest that may go unnoticed on the score sheet such as breaking up odd-man rushes or making defensive stops in the neutral zone.
Joe Thornton
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Peter DeBoer mentioned Joe Thornton was the best skater on the ice for the Sharks. For the future Hall of Fame player, Thornton appears to defy age and give a youthful performance with each passing year. His hat trick against Boston and his celebration on the bench only shows how much he still enjoys the game.
Age can certainly be cruel with the number of years Thornton has played. An injury to begin the series against the Blues hurt the Sharks as Thornton got beat on a few occasions — notably in Game 2.
Thornton finished with 51 points during the regular season. He missed a few games early on in the season after dealing with a knee infection. After two knee surgeries, the endurance of an 82-game season plus playoff will decide Thornton’s future.
He will likely accept any deal to keep the Sharks competitive. Health is the deciding element for Thornton coming back for one more shot at a Stanley Cup.