The Off-Season Game Plan; San Jose Sharks Edition

By now you know how this goes. I, without any help from any stats sites or office fan boys or any pay from the NHL head office go ahead and help decide what millionaire owners should do with their money and/or their team.

This time, I'm about to get all 'up in it' with the San Jose Sharks.

The San Jose Sharks recently lost the mantle of 'perennial Cup contender' to the Anaheim Ducks this year. The Sharks have consistently been picked to be one of the top challengers to the Cup at the beginning of each year since I can remember, which is technically 2003. And yet, they have never been able to make it to the Glory Land and ticket revenues of the Stanley Cup.

It all came to a head this year when the face of the franchise and their all-time assists leader Joe Thornton was stripped of his Captaincy. Then there was the things the press made into big deals but didn't really deserve any more thought devoted to it so you will have to look it up yourself in case you don't remember.


Head Coach

Todd McClelland agreed to part ways after a not-quite-as-successful-as-Alain-Vigneault stint with the Sharks (311-163 (ok, so i lied a little about the stats thing)). Since leaving the team he coached Team Canada to the Consolation World Gold Medal and signed on to try to shape Edmonton into a contender. In simple terms he had a rebound relationship with a 10 and once that was over nose-dived down into a solid but comfortable 2.

For their part San Jose hired Peter DeBoer, formerly of the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils. During his time with the Devils, he rode Martin Brodeur's final hurrah to the finals, so he's already gone farther in the post-season than most of the current Sharks.

He brings a career record of 277 W and 200 L to the Sharks. Ties don't count.

Marleau, Thornton and Pavelski, at the annual team picnic

Forwards

As always, San Jose continues to be lead by Joe Thornton and BFF Patrick Marleau. Their heirs apparent appear to be Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture who both accumulated more points than Joe and Pat last year.
Thomas Hertl made a splash when he scored 4 goals (or maybe that was last year) anyways, it was still a big deal. Tommy Wingels also has potential to be a quality mid-pick in your hockey pool.
Sadly Big John Scott didn't get the opportunity to defend himself against Phil Kessel this year. My (but not Marian Hossas) favourite cannonball-er Raffi Torres may have to hang up the skates for good, due to an ACL surgery although he does have plans for a comeback. This is a major delight to the NHL Suspension committee who have to go after smaller, less likely to repeat offenders (see Nazem Khadri).

Defense

Brent Burns impersonator

The Sharks defense is led by infamous homeless man Brent Burns and Vlasics Pickles. They represent both the best offensive d-man (Burns) and defensive d-man (Pickles). The next 6 defensemen combined scored less goals than Burns did all year. So there is something for DeBoer to work on.

Goalies

2015 Sharks starting goalie

Anti Niemi (the only Shark with a Stanley Cup ring) is a free agent and should demand a raise, especially considering Alex Stalock is his only current competition in net. However, there are a fair number of goalies that could be on the trade market (looking at you Ottawa and Toronto) so perhaps a change of scenery is in order for Niemi. It will be interesting to see if Todd and the Oilers make an offer for him.


My #1 Priority - signing Johnny Oduya to help bring along the young back end aka the Nick Leddy
My #2 Priority - signing either Niemi or another viable #1 goaltender
My #3 Priority - creating a Raffi Torres cyborg that will strike fear into the hearts of Sharks opponents.