San Jose Sharks: All-Decade Team for the 2010s
By Justin Fried
Right Wing: Joe Pavelski
Patrick Marleau was drafted second overall and came to San Jose as a high-profile, top prospect. Joe Thornton was a superstar addition whose arrival was met with immediate praise and celebration.
But Joe Pavelski, well, he followed a very different path to the NHL.
Pavelski was a little-known seventh-round pick back in 2003 and even upon his arrival in San Jose, he was already placed in the shadow of his more accomplished teammates.
But make no mistake, it wouldn’t be long before ‘Little Joe’ would forge his own legacy and become ‘Captain America’ and the face of San Jose Sharks hockey.
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Marleau brought the scoring, Thornton brought the passing, but Pavelski? He brought the grit.
Pavelski would soon become known for his gritty playing style and clutch playoff performances after originally being overshadowed by the likes of Marleau and Thornton.
Only eight active players have scored more postseason goals than Pavelski and his knack for the clutch shot followed him throughout his career. Pavelski would lead the NHL in game-winning goals with a whopping 11 during the 2015-16 season.
And when he eventually assumed the captain’s role on the team, his name was forever immortalized in Sharks’ history. It certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s the second-leading goal scorer in Sharks’ history either.
Pavelski didn’t make his mark in the same way that Marleau and Thornton did, but rest assured he did make his mark. And for that, he absolutely belongs on the Sharks’ All-Decade Team.