San Jose Sharks 2014-15 Season Preview

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Apr 9, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) during the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Ducks 5-2 to clinch the Pacific Division title. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

SAN JOSE SHARKS

2013-14 RECAP

The San Jose Sharks are the epitome of “close but not quite”. Year after year they are considered a top contender to advance far in the playoffs, but year after year they continue to disappoint their fans and find new and more incredible ways to bow out.

Such was the case in 2014, when they finished with a 111 point season and finished 2nd in the Pacific Division. Their reward was getting the third place Kings who were two years removed from a Stanley Cup Championship. After winning the first two games at home quite handily by scores of 6-3 and 7-2, they took a commanding lead in the series by winning game 3 in overtime. The Kings somehow flipped a switch between game 3 and 4, downing the Sharks four straight times (by 3 or more goals each time) to mount the incredible comeback and leave Sharks with a long off-season to ponder why the constant dark cloud sits over their heads.

Apr 1, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (22) after he scored a goal during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

CHANGES

IN – John Scott

OUT- Martin Havlat, Dan Boyle, Brad Stuart

For a team that has so many questions surrounding it, there were remarkably few changes. Veteran defensemen Boyle and Stuart are gone, they weren’t really replaced…

Apr 22, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Brent Burns (88) during game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

3 BIG QUESTIONS

1. Who’s The Man? – This is now a ship without a captain, literally. Stripping Joe Thornton of the “C” while keeping him in the fold and opening it up for audition is a curious move that has more of a chance to backfire than to work out.

2. Burns Better On “D”? – The reason the Sharks dealt Stuart and Boyle was because of the plan to move Brent Burns from forward back to defense. Whether that is borrowing from Peter to pay Paul is the big question, since Burns was a key top 6 forward.

3. How Much Worse Can It Get? – Doug Wilson and Todd McClellan must be asking the same question. This group has been so close for so long without being able to take that last step. And with the core of the team all locked up for at least 3 more seasons, if the players on the ice can’t get it done then changes higher up are inevitable.

Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) controls the puck against Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

PREDICTION