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San Jose Sharks: Analysis of the team’s 2018-19 defensemen and goalies

By Andrew Bet

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones #31 celebrates with teammates after an overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones #31 celebrates with teammates after an overtime win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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San Jose Sharks
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks in action during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 8, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 5-3. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Marc-Edouard Vlasic

One of the best shut-down defensemen in the league, Marc-Edouard Vlasic did not appear to be playing at a high level from the start. Vlasic didn’t admit to any injuries, but his lackluster plus/minus rating on the team did not exactly help his case.

Vlasic did sustain an injury in a game against Colorado shortly after the new year and missed a few games. He did recover and made much more of a significant impact during the second half of the season.

Expect Vlasic to improve and continue to shut down the top lines next season. He struggled, at times attempting to stop scoring opportunities but he’s one player who prides himself in giving his team a chance to win through his defensive work.

Brent Burns

Perhaps the best player consistently, Burns led the team with 83 points and 67 assists, earning a nomination for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman. His ability to attack the net and fire shots through traffic make him a nightmare for opponents and goaltenders.

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Coach Peter DeBoer should have opted to dress seven defensemen in Game 6 against the Blues and made Burns a forward. In his career in San Jose, Burns has played both positions before ultimately playing on the Sharks’ blueline.

Burns will continue to get better as a defender and is critical for the Sharks continued success to make postseason runs. He will be reunited with assistant coach Bob Boughner who helped transform Burns into the elite player he is today.

Boughner is back as an assistant coach after being relieved of his head coaching duties with the Florida Panthers. He served as an assistant under DeBoer before taking the position.

With Boughner back in the fold, maybe Karlsson will consider reaming in San Jose after what he did to help Burns.

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