San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues: What We Learned in Game 1 2OT Thriller

Outplayed for nearly the entirety of the four periods leading up to the second overtime, the San Jose Sharks managed to steal a win in St. Louis, winning 3-2 on a Martin Havlat game-winning slap-shot on Thursday night.

The Sharks shook off a first overtime period in which they were aggressively outmatched by the Blues, who controlled the puck throughout the entirety of the third period, as well as the first overtime period.  St. Louis out-shot the Sharks 14-6 during that time, but were not able to find the back of the net.

However, the Sharks were, turning a game which seemed like they would inevitably lose into a win against a team that lost at home only six times in regulation during the regular season.

Here are five things we learned about the series heading into Game 2.

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San Jose Sharks: Reasons Why the Team Is Playing Playoff Hockey

You can call it desperation, or you can call it panic, but the San Jose Sharks are playing terrific hockey right now.  It just happens to be at the exact right time, as well, as the Sharks are in an ever-changing playoff scenario with five other teams to make the NHL playoffs.


The trade of Jamie McGinn to the Avalanche for T.J. Galiardi and Daniel Winnik is not looking so good from the Sharks' angle, but both Winnik and Galiardi are starting to make significant progress in producing for this team.  Their added production would only further the Sharks' chances of making the playoffs.

However, neither one of the NHL Trade Deadline acquisitions are even a factor in why the Sharks are currently playing well and making a case for why they should be in the playoffs.  In fact, the reasons why the Sharks are playing so well have been on the team or have been characteristics of the team the entire season.



Martin Havlat

Who knew getting one of the team's best offensive players back would make such an impact, right?

Of course Havlat coming back was going to juice this team up.  When he went down with injury months ago, Ryane Clowe, Logan Couture and Havlat were the ultimate line that no team could stop.  Back again, Havlat makes that line better and this entire offense better.  He can move the puck like no one else on the Sharks can, and that has been a huge addition late in the season.


Team Chemistry

Hockey is a game of momentum, and nothing fuels the Sharks' chemistry on the ice more than just that.  Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau have played together for what seems like forever and so have Clowe and Couture.  So when suddenly the team starts winning and momentum ensues, good things start to happen.

Again, Havlat is a major reason for that because of the Clowe, Couture and Havlat line that was so potent mid-season.  Now it seems Havlat has taken that chemistry to whatever line he plays on these days.  His game is awfully easy to play with on the ice.

Aside from those top lines, the bottom two have also played increasingly well over the past week or so, with Michal Handzus and Winnik clearly leading the way.  It was a consistent problem for the Sharks before the trade deadline.  Since then, the bottom six have produced on a consistent basis for San Jose.


Joe Thornton

The captain always has had that feel for the puck and making things happen, but it seems that his production has really picked up over the last 10 games.  Maybe it is because he is the captain and needs to lead that desperate and panicked attempt at making the playoffs. Whatever the reason, he is doing a great job of getting positive results from this team these days.

Thornton has two goals and 10 assists in his last 10 games.

His patience around the net is what differentiates himself from other players in this league, and his use of the body only furthers the development of the play.  With the chemistry he has developed with Pavelski, Marleau, Couture and Havlat (and whoever else he is playing with him these days), the Sharks continue to produce on both the power play and equal strength when Thornton is on the ice.


Todd McLellan's Line Changes

McLellan might have just saved his job with some of the personnel changes he has made late in the season, when lineups are supposed to be well intact.

Most notably, his changes to the bottom two lines have made the biggest difference in the last few games for this team.

The line of Winnik, Andrew Desjardins and Wingels has been tagged lethal over the past couple games, with Winnik scoring two clutch goals against the Bruins and Coyotes, followed by a goal from Desjardins on Monday.

They have obviously found some comfortability with each other.  Winnik is the big body of the line with somewhat of an offensive game, but most likely will hold down the fort on defense.  Also, Desjardins will play that scrappy role, which has made Wingels the scoring option on this line.

McLellan was searching for a spark to light up this team, and he may have just found it in his latest set of line changes.

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San Jose Sharks Streaking In 2012; Crucial Road Trip Awaits

It is amazing what a new year can do to a team's self-esteem. After ending 2011 on a two-game losing streak, the San Jose Sharks have turned over a new leaf in 2012 and now ride a four-game win streak into a four-game road trip in the midst of playing 17 of their next 23 games away from HP Pavilion.

Suddenly in 2012, the power play and penalty kill do not seem so bad, under the radar players are stepping up and producing and Antti Niemi and the defense have let up two or fewer goals in all four games in 2012.

With all the ups-and-downs this team has gone through this season, which include the injuries, glaring weaknesses and inconsistent play, the Sharks still hold the top spot in the Pacific division and are just five points out of the top spot in the Western Conference.

However, if one was to make the statement that the Sharks have yet to be tested away from home, not many would disagree with them.

Good wins against the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks away from HP Pavilion are always nice, but having the luxury of playing 23 of 38 games at home to start the season, including 10 of 13 in the month of December, is a little ridiculous.

Low and behold, San Jose gets their first real test of the season on the road against quality opponents for a period of 23 games stretching over a month and a half. Key games include the Chicago Blackhawks, Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, Red Wings and Minnesota Wild twice.

Weaknesses will be revealed, changes will be made and this Sharks team will return back to San Jose a whole different team than they left with.

The Sharks had circled this stretch of games on the calendar before the season began, and they go into it riding a four-game win streak playing arguably their best hockey of the 2011-12 NHL season. They knew this was coming eventually.

Fortunately, the veterans are finally producing and the team is meshing wonderfully, coincidentally after key offseason pick-up Martin Havlat's injury sent him to the sidelines for possibly two months. Since then, the team has rallied around that incident and developed a team chemistry despite losing such a key offensive player for this team. They ride that team chemistry into Minnesota on Tuesday.

But we all know what is coming. A long road trip like this will reveal glaring weaknesses in this team that they will have to continuously work on throughout the months following this long stretch of games away from home.

Parts of the game, like the power play and penalty kill will either rise to the occasion or falter under the intense pressure of being on the road.

What we will find out in this next month and a half is how good this team really is.

A road trip this far away from home for this long a period of time will do that to a team, and we will see what kind of a squad coach Todd McLellan really has when they officially return to the Sharks Tank at the end of February.

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San Jose Sharks: Predicting the Offensive Starting Lines at Season's End

With all the ups and downs the San Jose Sharks have gone through this season, it is intriguing to see how this team will finish the season. Even with all the line changes and injuries, San Jose is still one of the better teams in the Western Conference and competing nearly every night for the top spot in the Pacific division.

The Martin Havlat injury has been a major blow to both the offensive production and overall morale of this team. Also, the defense may have received a little too much preseason credit, and have slowly come back to Earth.

Where this team will stand at the end of the year is still up in the air, but we can at least have a good understanding that the Sharks will finish somewhere near the top of the Western Conference playoff picture, as per usual.

What starting will we see at the end of the season, and will James Sheppard make an appearance in them?

Here are my predictions for the Sharks' starting lines at the end of the 2011-12 NHL season.

First Line: Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski

It is hard to imagine a better set of players that the Sharks can put out there with this much skill and chemistry nearly every night. Slowly, this squad is getting more and more familiar with each other and the production can only go up from here.

Marleau is set to have a huge second half of the season and Pavelski should continue to impress on the big stage of a premiere team in the NHL. With Thornton's consistent play-making, we should see this line become one of the more deadly in the NHL heading into the playoffs.

Second Line: Ryane Clowe, Logan Couture, Martin Havlat

Havlat should return within the next two months, giving the this set of players a good month and a half to re-familiarize themselves with each other.

When Havlat went down with injury, this was a very productive line just getting into their stride and gaining a consistency with each other.

Clowe and Couture continue to be paired up with each other while Havlat is out, so the line should not take long to get back into a groove once Havlat returns come mid to late February.

Third Line: Jamie McGinn, Michal Handzus, Torrey Mitchell

There was a moment where i thought we would see James Sheppard, the offseason pick-up who skated in practice for the first time this season the other day, on this line. Even with the surprising news, his return this season is doubtful, although we could see a game or two towards the end.

With the fourth line in tact, as well as the first and second lines, this hard-working line is all but set come season's end.

Tommy Wingels has a shot to make this line if Andrew Desjardins falls off the map during the second half, but his hard work is deserving of a spot at the end of the season. Wingels has been off and on after being called up from Worcester this season. If he gains some consistency and become that player we all saw during the preseason and the first few games of the regular season, we could see him taking McGinn's spot on this line and pushing him down to the fourth line. But that sort of roster move may not be what McLellan is thinking come playoff time.

Fourth Line: Brad Winchester, Andrew Desjardins, Andrew Murray

This is another definite spot to include either James Sheppard or Tommy Wingels in, but with Sheppard's uncertainty and Wingels inconsistency, that is highly doubtful.

This fourth line has been together the entire season with consistent productivity all around, giving McLellan no reason to split them up.

All three players have +/- in the positive numbers, which is more than you can ask for any other fourth line in hockey. They do what they supposed to do and get the job done, which is why they have stayed in tact with one another throughout this season, and also why McLellan has so much faith in them as a unit.

I am sure we will see McLellan test the waters and dividing them up during the second half of the season just to see what happens, but we are sure to see them back together towards the end.

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San Jose Sharks: The Best Way To Replace Martin Havlat is to Not

Martin Havlat, the speed and offensive skill the San Jose Sharks traded for during the offseason, is out for good portion of the upcoming few months. As far as we know, he will be sidelined 6-8 weeks, but we can bet on the 2 month range looking like a probable timetable for his return.

That likely return will take us to just about the end of February 2012 and leave around a month and a half left in the season for the Sharks.

With the team already struggling in several aspects of their game so far this season, it is only fitting that trade rumors surface in order to salvage a possible Western Conference playoff run.

That is what happens when Doug Wilson is your GM, though. His flair for the timely trade has become standard around San Jose, but this season may be the most important for him to come through in the clutch.

However, does this team really need to make a key acquisition right now if they are to make a real push in the Western Conference playoffs?

Losing Havlat is a blow, but overreaction may be even worse, which is why Wilson needs to take a step back for the moment and wait until the trade deadline to acquire that talent needed for a deep playoff run.

The reason for the wait is the team is used to running without Havlat. His absence from the team has been more of a distraction than his actual unimpressive play on the ice so far this season.

Wilson, given his reputation and long list of acquisitions in the Sharks' organization, should understand what a player's worth is. This far into the season, that is tough to judge.

Make no mistake, San Jose's main trade bait is goalie Antero Niittymaki, who recently returned from injury and replaced Thomas Greiss as the second-string netminder on the team, despite Greiss's respectable play behind starter Antti Niemi. Many teams are looking for a goalie and they will be calling Wilson come the trade deadline.

That time would become Niittymaki's highest value period, where teams need the goalie and Wilson can make his play for who he wants on that opposing team. Right now, although the team can use a healthy body whose name provides a bigger boost than Benn Ferriero, the Sharks need to wait and accept the "winger by committee" that is presumed to occur over the next couple months for the Sharks.

Wilson will make a significant trade this season, and it will most likely have Niittymaki's name in it, but now is the time to form chemistry with this team that includes Ferriero (the best option at winger they have) and whoever else coach Todd McLellan decides to light a fire under. Havlat will be back and he will be affective, but making a drastic trade so early in the season is nowhere near where Wilson is or should be leaning right now.

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5 New Year's Resolutions for the San Jose Sharks

For what it is worth, the San Jose Sharks 2011-12 season has not gone according to plan, to say the least. New players and lousy play in many aspects of the game have caused inconsistency in the win column for a team that was supposed to breeze through another regular season unscathed.

However, the missing pieces that seemed to fit the proverbial puzzle have not paid as many dividends as, say, the Minnesota Wild, who are currently one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Laxidasical special teams play may be the biggest weakness of the Sharks this season, an aspect of their game that many teams have preyed on throughout thus far, yet San Jose's record of 17-10-3 seems just about right for how they have played. But still not up to par in comparison to the tradition of above average regular season play.

The Sharks have a lot of work to do and the new year should be just what they need in terms of advancing their game to the next level and preparing for the Western Conference playoffs.

Here are five New Year's resolutions for the San Jose Sharks.



5. Better Penalty Kill

We will knock out the easy one first and there is not much more to say than the Sharks' penalty kill is terrible. At times, it can be durable, but the majority of this season has been spent on figuring out what is and is not working when down a player. Most of the time, nothing has been working.

Puck awareness can be partly blamed for the NHL's 29th ranked penalty kill, although that is such a generic term to sum up awful efforts on the defensive end this season. The Sharks have stopped the opposing team's power play 73% of the time this season. Simply not good enough.



4. The Big Guns

Take a look at the Sharks' team leaders in each statistical category this season and you may not find Patrick Marleau atop any of them. Marleau has been simply average this season, something he is not and should not be.

What you will find is decent numbers from a list of decent players.

Joe Thornton's numbers are the only ones that may ignite awe from some people. 6 goals and 20 assists, while leading the team in points is a feat for Thornton, but not many come close after him.

The numbers are just mediocre from a team that is so much more and needs to prove that going forward.



3. More Consistent Power Play

Unfortunately for the Sharks, their awful penalty kill has not been saved by a historically good power play this season. The Sharks currently rank 13th in power play conversions at 17.9%.

The days of Thornton, Marleau and Heatley are over, and with it the thoughts of drawing a penalty leading to an automatic goal.

New players and little chemistry can take part of the blame for a team usually built around such a thing. Thornton, more than anyone, needs the chemistry and Marleau's play has simply not been there to satisfy that for him.

More time on the ice and more time together should solve that for a team with unlimited potential on the power play.



2. Team Chemistry.

Out with Setoguchi and Heatley and in with Burns and Havlat. However, the trade has seemed to work out substantially better for the Wild as of late.

Chemistry has been hit hard for San Jose as losing Heatley's attitude and Setoguchi's playfulness has seemed to take more of a toll on this team than we initially thought. Still, the team added Havlat to a finesse group of forwards and Burns to a talented group of defensemen.

What gives?

The pieces are there, it is just putting them together that is the problem. Havlat has been limited on the ice so far this season, which can take most of the blame for the team not being able to get used to this new playing style they unknowingly acquired in the offseason. I will chalk the chemistry issue up to just that, though.



1. Better Play From Martin Havlat

He has been on and off the injury list this season, just as the Sharks probably expected. But it turns out San Jose needs him a whole lot if they are to make a run in the Western Conference.

The loss of Heatley and Setoguchi hurt this team, but getting little to no production from Havlat for several reasons only hurts this team more in return. Havlat has just two goals and 13 assists in 26 games this season.

The production is not what is hurting this team, although it may directly affect them. The time with a consistent set of players is, though. The Sharks players getting used to Havlat and his habits, as well as Havlat getting used to theirs, is the biggest issue for this situation to get resolved. That is hard to acquire in itself, let alone when coach Todd McLellan is attempting to find a different group of players that work together nearly every night.

Havlat's play will come around, but only if given time. Right now, San Jose does not have that time, though. So we sit and wait and watch this team attempt to evolve into a Western Conference elite.

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San Jose Sharks: 5 Moves Todd McLellan Needs To Make

We shouldn't be surprised by a little inconsistency on the part of the San Jose Sharks. It seems every year this team starts off slow, then suddenly runs away with the Pacific Division.

In fact, we can almost call this business as usual for this time of year, and it seems coach Todd McLellan is thinking the same thing. Recently, he has been wayward with some of his line-up changes, with some hitting and some really missing, which has been the result as of late.

That is what type of coach McLellan is, though. He likes to experiment and experiment until he finds something that works without thought and he suddenly becomes a genius. It is what makes him one of the better coaches in the NHL.

But there are still moves that either have or have not been made this season, and he seems to be missing the calling when it comes to either keeping the moves intact or totally switching gears.

Here are some moves that need to be made in the near future for the San Jose Sharks.

Torrey Mitchell and Jamie McGinn Together on the Third Line

With McLellan entertaining the idea of splitting up Marleau and Havlat over the first three lines on offense, it is clear that Mitchell is a top candidate for a spot on Joe Thornton's top line.

Mitchell has been there once, an it seemed to fizzle after a week or so.

However, Mitchell and McGinn make up one of the more hard-working pairs on the Sharks, which is why they need to be set on either side of the veteran Handzus, who can hold steady at center.

Mitchell did hint in an interview the other day that he may be getting tired of moving around the amongst the top lines, so it may be best to position him on one line and just keep him there.

Patrick Marleau and Martin Havlat's Continued Separation

One thing that McLellan has stayed constant on is the separation of Maleau and Havlat. It is rare that we see them both out on the ice together this season.

McLellan is correct on this one, and he need to continue it, but it is Havlat's appearance on the third line that is simply not appropriate. I understand the dispersion of speed on this team, but Havlat is a top-tier player in the NHL, and he deserves a better job description.

Thomas Greiss, Not Antero Niittymaki

With Niittymaki slowly coming back from injury, and Greiss continuing to play well in net when called upon, let the conflict begin.

How can you argue with putting Greiss ahead of Niittymaki on the depth chart?

Greiss has been more than superb when in net as Niemi's back-up, and he deserved the No. 2 goalie spot.

We know what we are getting out of Greiss. We do not know what we are getting out of Niittymaki when he comes back from injury.

Jim Vandermeer Somewhere on the Defense

Colin White has been away from the team for a few games now, but it is the penalty kill and defense in general that has improved without him.

One of the reasons is Jim Vandermeer's hard work on the third line with Jason Demers. The two have seemed to click, and we can expect a gritty player like Vandermeer to continue good play in order to earn a spot on the defense for the Sharks.

That is not to say Colin White should be left out. White is far too good a player to be forgotten off a roster. Plus, San Jose could use his big, bulky body on defense.

However, Vandermeer deserves more ice time, and i think McLellan and others understand that and will reward him for an excellent job in place of White.

Get Ryane Clowe, Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski Back Together

With the recent offensive shortage, it is obvious that some changes need to be made. That is especially true on the first three lines, which recently have been a series of blind shots in the air, as far as line-ups go.

What worked in the playoffs last season, as well as in the past, is a line of Clowe, Couture and Pavelski, who have seemed to find chemistry with one another even in offensive droughts that this team seems to have every once in awhile.

Havlat seemed to work, as well, with both Clowe and Couture. but it was a change in that line that has backfired on McLellan and led this team into an offensive recession.

Go with what works, and chemistry is certainly a strong suit of the Sharks.

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San Jose Sharks Not Shy in Big Games This Season

It is hard to call any games "big" this early in the 2011-12 NHL season, but for the sake of the argument the San Jose Sharks have had a few, and won nearly all of them.

What defines a big game?

That is up to opinion, of course, but i think we can all agree on a few standout games that we had circled on our calendars during the offseason.

Games like the L.A. Kings returning to where they were scorned last season in the playoffs can be considered big, and even playing the defending Stanley Cup champs is a game that players get up for.

But this is a different team on the ice than in recent years. It was interesting to see how that would translate in larger games this season, and it seems that this franchise has not missed a beat with their acquired talent.

Through the first month of the NHL season, we saw the Sharks get tested twice, in both the Bruins game and Red Wings game. The result was the same; 4-2 victories that made statements as to how this team was to fair this season.

So far, in this second month of the NHL season, San Jose has been tested with several big games, including the Penguins, Kings, Wild and Red Wings. All resulted in wins, and rather impressive wins at that.

Why the big deal about these big games?

With the way this Sharks franchise has faired in the playoffs, it is hard not try to peer into the future. The playoffs are all about big games, and paying well in them. The Sharks have done that so far this season.

Another impressive characteristic of this team in big games this season: They look so comfortable doing it.

Eighteen games into the 2011-12 NHL season, it has occurred to the masses that this team is so much more ready to take on top-tier talent in the playoffs than in previous seasons. The change in artilary during the offseason is the main reason for this.

Physical players and speed to boot.

In those big games this season against teams that wake up in the playoffs, the Sharks are faster. And if they are not faster, they are more physical, which is why San Jose is primed for a deep run in the upcoming playoffs.

I do not mean to think playoffs 18 games in, but it is hard not to acknowledge the fact that this team has changed since last season, and we are seeing them come together and grow, while benefiting the team with the addition of speed and physicality.

In recent seasons, we saw the Sharks get boat-raced, outmanned and outplayed on the ice in the Western Conference Finals. These days, the Sharks are boat-racing, outmanning and outplaying whatever team happens to be on the ice when they are.

It is not to say that San Jose was not doing this in previous seasons. The Sharks can arguably be called "King of Regular Season" if it was not a knock on their terrible reputation in the playoffs. Winning is what the Sharks do in the regular season. It is the playoffs that have been the hard part.

And yet the Sharks franchise continues to upgrade their roster. This time, it was with speed and large men. Yep, large men (Burns, White, Winchester, etc.). They are the bone-crushing players that make way for the speed and fast play San Jose has used to claim wins so far this season.

In October, the Bruins had a hard time keeping up with the Sharks' fast play and physicality on the boards and in front of the net. Even against the much-hyped Kings, San Jose was able to get pucks to the net with their speed and less with sniped shots from the circles, like in previous seasons.

Much has changed in San Jose, and no one is complaining.

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Comparing the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild Trades Now

Hindsight is 20/20. I believe that is how the saying goes. However, when the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild made their series of trades this past offseason, there was no turning back, and there really was no need to. Both teams walked away feeling better about their teams heading forward.

Fast forward to two weeks into the 2011-12 NHL season, and what is the consensus on how each of these teams did in those trades?

To re-cap, Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi were traded to the Wild for Brent Burns and Martin Havlat in two separate trades. Also, the Sharks acquired winger James Sheppard from the Wild for a third round pick.

We finally got to see all these players dressed in their new sweaters and out on the ice with their new team, giving us a great look at how these trades stack up.

Brent Burns for Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle and 2011 1st Round Pick

The trade shocked the hockey world on Draft Day 2011.

A premiere defenseman in the prime of his career traded for a scoring winger with so much potential.

For now, this trade is a deadlock in terms of which team got the better of it.

Burns has done so much by just being a presence on the Sharks defense. His big body and pounding shot from the point is why San Jose wanted him and he has not disappointed one bit so far.

Setoguchi in Minnesota was another great fit for a team in dire need of offense. So far, Setoguchi has impressed with three goals through eight games, and also is second on the team in shots on goal. He is getting opportunities to show what he has, which is something that was simply not going to happen in San Jose.

As for Charlie Coyle, the Sharks No. 1 forward prospect at the time of the trade, he continues to play well for Boston University and is one of the better prospects in Minnesota's organization.

The winner of this trade has yet to be determined, and may not be for the next few years until the Wild's prospects show up.

Martin Havlat for Dany Heatley

The swap of two premiere forwards in the NHL shocked the hockey world yet again.

Sniper Heatley for speedster Havlat in another trade benefiting both teams on the surface and leaving both teams feeling better about their rosters.

Heatley, although battling an injury, has been the Wild's go-to offensive player, as he leads the team in points and shots on goal. Granted he only has five points, which is telling about the Minnesota offense, the Wild are still 3-2-3 through eight games this season.

Havlat, on the other hand, has only played in two games with the Sharks so far, after battling an injury early this season. Through those two games, he has tallied two assists, while creating chemistry with line mates Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe who all complement each other very well.

For now, the Wild got the better of this trade. Havlat has been injured and Heatley is everything Minnesota needed in a No. 1 offensive threat. Heatley will lead the Wild and Havlat is prepared to be that role player needed when called upon, at least that is how it seems.

Havlat does make the Sharks a faster team, and the offense will come in time, but Heatley has seemed to fit right in and we are waiting to see from Havlat what he can do on the ice.

Havlat makes the Sharks a more well-rounded team, but Heatley is the centerpiece of the Minnesota offense.

James Sheppard for 3rd Round Pick

It would seem as though the Wild dumped the troubled Sheppard onto the Sharks. In fact, let's call it that because that was exactly what it was.

Sheppard was the ninth overall pick in 2006 and has yet to live up to that potential, which would explain why Minnesota gave up on him after five years.

For the Sharks, he will play in more of a depth role, slotted somewhere on the fourth line when healthy. However, that is the problem right now—health.

After two offseason knee surgeries, the 23-year-old has not begun on-ice activities yet and there is no current timetable for that to happen.

It seems like the Wild got away with one right here, but if Sheppard regains his health, his potential is through the roof as a Top 10 pick in the NHL Draft.

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San Jose Sharks: What To Make of the Team's Slow Start

How do you explain a team with this many talented players and that much of a hype surrounding them starting the season off 1-3?

You got me. In fact, you may have everyone.

The offense, on paper, is solid. The defense, on paper, is a surefire hit. Then why have they lost three games in a row at the beginning of the season?

The bounces simply have not been going their way, but that is not the entirety of what we make of this.

The chemistry on the offense is lacking, to say the least. It is not true for the first line, who have had so many open chances at the net that it makes my stomach curl just thinking about how many point-blank shots have been missed this season. But the second, third and fourth lines have struggled with communication and overall chemistry, and that is the whole of why pucks have not found the back of the net.

Another kicker is that the chemistry issue will have to be re-established once Martin Havlat makes his debut, quite possibly this Friday in New Jersey. He will be on the second line with Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture, most likely.

Surviving a six-game roadtrip on the east coast is one thing. Establishing a consistency with your linemates during that time is quite another.

Another idea as to explain the sluggish start in San Jose is the admission that maybe the Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues are simply better than the Sharks at this time.

The Blues are projected to finish anywhere from sixth to eighth in the Western Conference, and the Ducks are projected among the top-tier teams in that league.

Missing Havlat, paired with a rusty Niemi and mediocre Thomas Greiss, and adding in new players and no chemistry simply equals an average team in the Western Conference, which is what the Sharks have displayed thus far this season.

They are learning. We will give them that.

Niemi will be quicker, Havlat will fit right in and the offense will find consistency. It may be as easy as that, although we know it is not.

It was tough to see this slow of a start coming, what with the massive potential on paper, but this start to the NHL season was inevitable. They are learning to play with Brent Burns and Michal Handzus in different situations, and missing open opportunities just adds fuel to the frustration.

How do explain the slow start?

You don't. The talent is there, the potential is there and it is just a matter of time before this team meets the hype.

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Opening Night 2011 LIVE: San Jose Sharks vs. Phoenix Coyotes

The crazy NHL offseason for the San Jose Sharks has taken us to this destination, Opening Night 2011 at HP Pavilion with a whole different brigade of players in tonight's starting line-up. The Sharks and Wild love affair this offseason sent Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi to Minnesota for Martin Havlat and Brent Burns in two separate deals. They helped both teams immensely with the Wild acquiring offensive prowess, and San Jose acquiring a defensive main-stay and help in the speed department.

However, if you had told anyone that the Sharks would lose Setoguchi and Heatley this offseason, they would think there was no chance San Jose could make the Stanley Cup Finals. But the Sharks are again legitimate contenders probably now more than ever.

Tonight, the Sharks will be without starting goaltender Antti Niemi and key offseason acquisition Havlat. Instead, it will be Thomas Greiss in net and youngster Tommy Wingels at the wing.

Sharks hockey is back!

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NHL Free Agency: Ranking the New Players That Will Help the San Jose Sharks Make the Stanley Cup Finals

The San Jose Sharks made some deals this offseason, to say the least. GM Doug Wilson traded in offensive prowess for speed and bulky defense, giving this San Jose team a whole different look and feel heading into this season.

On paper, the Sharks look to be at the top of the Western Conference yet again. Even more, they have turned their biggest weakness into possibly its greatest asset.

San Jose's lackluster defense in during last season, and evident throughout the playoffs, has now been replaced with a stronger, more physical blueline that has some calling it the best in the franchise's history.

Credit Wilson with that. Not many GM's can turn a team around in just one offseason. Especially a team that has two consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals.

Significant changes were made in San Jose. We will wait and see if they were for the better or not.

For now, here are the top new-comers that have the most affect on whether or not the Sharks go deep into the playoffs.




4. Colin White

White is essential to the Sharks' playoff aspirations this season.

Think of him as a slightly lesser version of Douglas Murray. Both will get physical in the defensive zone and neither will hesitate to drop the gloves.

It is for that reason that White will play a huge role for San Jose this season. The Sharks lacked a defenseman that could play in the trenches in front of Antti Niemi and move traffic. It cost the Sharks a few goals during the playoffs last season.

White will solve that problem rather easily, and he should look really good paired with Jason Demers on that third line.



3. Michal Handzus

Handzus is important to this team because of all the roles he will play for the Sharks this season.

The NHL veteran will be involved on the power play, penalty kill and face-off zone throughout the season. Not many players can say that.

He is the Swiss Army knife of the NHL.

He will also be important to the growth of young players like Tommy Wingels and Torrey Mitchell, who are set to line up with him to start the season the third line.

Being a veteran presence may be his greatest asset to this team this season.



2. Martin Havlat

Havlat's health may be mot important to this team.

On paper, it would seem that the Sharks offense was depleted this offseason with the departures of Setoguchi and Heatley.

Havlat adds speed to this team, as well as a nose for the puck, which will come in handy when playing with Logan Couture, or even sharing time on that first line with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

Speed is what San Jose lacked in last year's playoffs and Havlat fills that crucial void.



1. Brent Burns

This one was not hard at all because of the fact that Burns fills the void that has plagued the Sharks ever since they lost their captain Rob Blake a few years ago.

San Jose will only go as far as their defense will take them, as proven by back-to-back Western Conference Final defeats.

Burns brings lockdown defense and physical attitude to the blueline, something that will be essential to the Sharks' Stanley Cup aspirations.

It is up to Burns to produce and be the total package on defense this season. If he does not fill that crucial void, the Sharks are just another team short of the Stanley Cup once again.

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5 Most Important Players For the San Jose Sharks This Upcoming Season

The 2011-12 season is an extremely important one for not only the players on the roster but the entire franchise as a whole. Time is ticking on this team, the talent on it and the front office that have made all the right moves but have nothing to show for it.

The San Jose Sharks are at the brink of the Stanley Cup and are at the same time worried about how long this franchise can keep the players that have been most important to it.

They have made changes; for the better or worse, we will find out soon enough. But on the surface, this may be the most well-rounded team that San Jose has ever had, and they have had some good ones.

Speed, defense, talent—they have it all.

The pressure is on in San Jose, for all parties associated.

Here are the five players who are essential to the Sharks' Stanley Cup hopes.

5. Martin Havlat

It is no secret that last season's defeat to the Vancouver Canucks was due to the fact that the Sharks simply could not keep up.

General manager Doug Wilson has seen this in back-to-back seasons now, and he made a change to acquire Martin Havlat to fill that void and compete physically with the Western Conference elite.

Havlat is essential to the Sharks because he has the speed needed to keep up with the Kings, Blackhawks, Red Wings or Canucks, who should all be in contention for the Cup at season's end.

With a healthy Havlat, the Sharks can keep up both in the talent department and speed department.

Without him, they are just a player away from clearing the hump into the Finals.

4. Dan Boyle

Dan Boyle's job with this team is twofold. He is there to be a leader as well as an offensive mind on defense, something he has been so good at over the years in San Jose.

Boyle needs to be a leader in the locker room, as there has been a void ever since captain Rob Blake retired. The Sharks lacked leadership last season and will need someone to step up, mainly Boyle, to give the team that veteran leadership they have lacked the past couple seasons.

3. Joe Thornton

The center of the first line will always be a very important player on any given team, but Thornton's job this season may be as important as ever.

The losses of Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi this offseason were serious blows to the offensive prowess of this team, and no doubt that part of the game took a hit for the Sharks. But Thornton is the player who could step his game up even further.

He will most likely be playing with wingers Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski for the majority of the season. But with currently weak third and fourth lines, Thornton will need to make that first line produce on a consistent basis.

If he does not, the Sharks will have trouble scoring against the better defenses come playoff time.

2. Brent Burns

The Sharks brought Brent Burns in for one reason and one reason only. That was to solidify a weary defense that has cost them several playoff games in the past few years.

Burns is essential to the progress of the Sharks' season because it is on him to both score in the offensive zone and play physical defense in the defensive zone.

He has so many jobs on this team this season that he is undoubtedly the player who will carry this defense.

If he does not, San Jose will again lack the defense needed to win a Stanley Cup.

1. Antti Niemi

It is not Antti Niemi as much as his health.

Niemi has been sparingly at practice so far this preseason, as he has had a cyst removed from an undisclosed part of his body. That may not be that important, or effect him down the line, but it is Niemi's overall health that the team needs.

Behind Niemi, there is nobody. Antero Niittymaki is out for 12 weeks and Thomas Greiss has shown signs of growing, but he is certainly not ready to bolster the load in the NHL.

Niemi is key to the Sharks after a rough start and impressive finish to the regular season. He again showed why he has such a reputation for playing big in big games, and he is essential to the Sharks in the playoffs.

Not worrying about a consistent goaltender in the playoffs is one less thing to worry about come that time of year.

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3 Reasons the San Jose Sharks Can Win It All This Season

Every year you hear it. This is the year the San Jose Sharks will win the Stanley Cup.

Do not feel bad, though. Die-hard fans not only say it, but so do actual NHL experts, and they're paid to make those knowledgeable predictions.

Alas, the Sharks have zero Stanley Cup victories and zero Stanley Cup appearances.

But THIS is the year, right?

They got rid of the superstar attitude of Dany Heatley, bolstered their defensive core and acquired speed.

On paper, it seems that way.

San Jose Sharks Have Best Defense

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

On paper, this is the best set of defensemen the NHL has to offer. It is also arguably the best defense the Sharks franchise has ever owned.

Add that together and you may have something here.

What kept the Sharks down last season, among other things, was the lack of depth at defensemen.

With newly acquired Brent Burns, Jim Vandermeer and powerhouse Colin White, GM Doug Wilson added the exact pieces needed to help the team get over the hump.

An All-Star defenseman, penalty killer extraordinaire and bully in the trenches could hold this defense up as one of the best at the end of the season.

The San Jose Sharks Have No More Divas

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Not to say that Dany Heatley was a diva or had a diva attitude, but it was the superstar persona he brought over from Ottawa that seemed to set this team off.

It was not his fault. Heatley's numbers before San Jose were some of the best in the NHL. However, what he accomplished in San Jose simply did not add up.

So ya got's to go...

That's how Wilson does business.

In return, the Sharks get a speedy Martin Havlat and a lot more money to spend in the future.

Also, a whole new "team" mindset on offense.

The San Jose Sharks Have Speed on Offense

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

It was evident in both the Blackhawks playoff series in 2010 and the Canucks series this past season that the Sharks were simply worn out. They just could not keep up with either team in the Western Conference Finals.

Something had to be done, and the problem was solved by trading Heatley for Havlat during the offseason.

Scoring mentality in exchange for speedy finesse, and both teams got rich off of it.

McLellan has already hinted at the fact that Havlat will be playing on the second line in order to split the speed of Marleau and Havlat on separate line.

This season, San Jose will be bigger, faster and more capable of keeping up with the elites of the NHL deep into the playoffs.

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San Jose Sharks: 5 Players We Can't Wait To See On the Ice Next Season

The San Jose Sharks will be throwing a whole different team out on the ice next season. This summer, it seemed GM Doug Wilson and the Sharks were a little fed up with back-to-back Western Conference Final defeats, and they decided to re-tool.

While many teams would be content with making it to the third round of the NHL playoffs two years in a row, GM Doug Wilson evidently was not. He made that clear when he traded sniper Dany Heatley and young talent Devin Setoguchi to the Wild this past offseason.

In return, the Sharks acquired speed and defense, making them a force to be reckoned with for yet another year.

Here are five Sharks we cannot wait to see on the ice in October.

5. Jim Vandermeer

The Sharks acquired defenseman Jim Vandermeer this offseason in order to help solidify the third line and promote a more physical style of play on the defensive end.

His strengths were clear weaknesses for the Sharks last season. They were hits and blocked shots. Vandermeer is able to fill those holes.

It will be interesting to see how much Vandermeer will be apart of this defense. As it stands, San Jose is looking to carry seven defensemen to start the season, with Demers, Vandermeer and recently-acquired Colin White to switch off on the third line.

4. Michal Handzus

Handzus specializes in three things that the Sharks will be happy to welcome to the team this next season. The 36-year-old plays in a ton of games, is great on the penalty kill and thrives in the face-off circle.

Losing Manny Malhotra last offseason was a clear blow to the Sharks in the face-off circle and Handzus helps to bolster that area for the Sharks.

He will also be greatly appreciated on the penalty kill. After losing PK-extraordinaire Scott Nichol during the offseason, Handzus should fill the void left by the pesky forward.

The former LA Kings forward is able to play so many roles for the Sharks that he is expected to be a major focal point on how San Jose is able to contend against the better teams in the Western Conference.

3. Colin White

Colin White is a big boy. Let's make that clear.

The Sharks acquired him for the sole reason that they need someone to get physical in the trenches right in front of the net. White certainly does that, and at 6'4", 220 lbs., he will do that will a little emphasis behind it.

He will be fighting for time on that third line with Demers and Vandermeer, but when the Sharks need a defensive stopper with power, you better believe coach Todd McLellan will have White on the ice.

2. Martin Havlat

The Sharks traded Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild for Martin Havlat this offseason, and he is set to change the tone of San Jose's offense.

While Heatley brought a scorer's mentality, Havlat brings speed and finesse to the second line for the Sharks.

He is set to play with two other crafty players in Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture.

Keeping up with the opposing team on the ice became a problem for the Sharks last season and it was obvious in the playoffs. Havlat solves that problem for the Sharks.

The 30-year-old is set for a big season, stats-wise.

In Minnesota, the offense was stagnant at best last season. On the Sharks, offense comes in flurries and Havlat should benefit in a large way from that.

We can expect around 25 goals and close to 70 points from him next season.

1. Brent Burns

For the occasional Sharks fan who does not know about Brent Burns, I will say that they should get familiar with him.

Burns is 6'5" and 215 lbs with moderate speed, physical play and a giant shot from the point. The only thing he needs to do is prove it on a winning team. Thanks to the Sharks acquisition of him in the offseason, Burns will get that chance.

The 26-year-old takes a part of the Sharks' game that was a huge weakness for them, ever since the retirement of Rob Blake, and turns it into a clear strength.

Burns will be playing on the second line with Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and the two young defensemen should be able to play off each other and turn it into a shutdown second pairing.

Make no mistake about it, when the power play is on and Burns is on the ice, it will be sheer entertainment watching him get open for a shot and then letting it fly.

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San Jose Sharks: Updating the Projected Starting Lines For the 2011-12 Season

The San Jose Sharks will be playing a whole new brand of hockey when they take the ice in October. GM Doug Wilson has completely turned this team around from a Stanley Cup contender to, well, a Stanley Cup contender, just in a different sense.

To recap, the Sharks traded Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley for Martin Havlat and Brent Burns in two separate deals with the Minnesota Wild this offseason.

San Jose is now a faster, more defensive-minded team, and Minnesota can now score the puck. It seems like a win-win for both teams.

However, depth may be the biggest problem for the Sharks next season (if we are going to be picky).

Wilson seemed to figure that out this last week with the signings of defenseman Colin White and forward/center James Sheppard.

White will be battling for a spot on the third line of the defense, and Sheppard will most likely find his way onto the fourth line of the offense.

It is unclear if the Sharks are done dealing or signing players, but things have done a complete 180 degree turn in San Jose, as the team is now a complete force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

Forwards

Marleau - Thornton - Pavelski

David Pollack of the San Jose Mercury News was the first to ignite the discussion of the first and second line order to start the season.

He feels, after talking to some of his sources, that the starting lines could be completely different than the natural immediate first thought.

Marleau, Thornton and Havlat?

Pollack says the Sharks are most likely leaning towards a first line of Marleau, Thornton and Pavelski.

The reason for that would be to split up the two speedsters, Marleau and Havlat, and have them play on different lines in order to spread the wealth around a little bit.

It would make the Sharks a tough team to keep up with on the ice.

Clowe - Couture - Havlat

Logan Couture is as crafty on the ice as they come, Ryane Clowe is a physical presence, and adding Martin Havlat's speed could make this line the most dangerous the Sharks have.

Again, splitting up Marleau and Havlat would make the Sharks a faster all-around team, and Havlat should enjoy playing with playmakers like Clowe and Couture.

The main goal of this line is to get more out of Havlat than what he would bring to the first line. On the second line, Havlat is the go-to guy with speed, while on the first line he is would play a secondary role to both Thornton and Marleau.

Playing Havlat on the second line would allow him to showcase his skills with Couture and Clowe.

McGinn - Handzus - Mitchell

This may finally be the year for the young players Sharks fans have grown up watching. Jamie McGinn and Torrey Mitchell are due to break out this season.

Adding Handzus into the young mix could be just what needed to be ordered for this young pair, as he brings a veteran presence with experience on the ice.

This becomes one of the Sharks' better defensive forward lines, as well.

Desjardins - Sheppard - Ferriero

For now, it is unclear as to how the Sharks will be using recent acquisition James Sheppard. The 23-year-old plays both wing and center positions, but it is his recent battle with injuries that has derailed the ninth overall selection in the 2006 NHL Draft.

Desjardins can also play center on this line, but the fact of the matter comes down to how the Sharks handle free agent Kyle Wellwood.

If signed, Wellwood could play the center position on either the third or fourth lines, which would send Sheppard down to Worcester for a little seasoning after taking last season entirely off.

We will find out sooner or later how the lines will shake out, but pencil in Sheppard at the center position for now.

Defense

Boyle - Murray

There is nothing to divide up the defensive duo of Boyle and Murray. Not even the acquisition of a young stud like Brent Burns.

Boyle's crafty offense and timely defense, mixed with Murray's physical presence, is what makes this line great.

Expect the same old first line on defense to stay exactly the same.

Vlasic - Burns

This could easily be a first line on any other team, but the Sharks have chosen to pair these two up in what could be a lock down line in the NHL.

Vlasic's all-around game should play well with Burns' physical presence and rocket shot from the point.

It is the addition of Burns that has the Sharks looking like a defensively stable team, and Vlasic should benefit from that.

Demers - Vandermeer/White

The third line on defense just got a whole lot more interesting this past week with the addition of Colin White.

The Sharks add another key player on the penalty kill, but where does he fit in the starting lineups?

It is not certain if he does at all.

White is a big man at 6'4" and adds another physical presence on the ice, but the Vandermeer/Demers line could be just what the doctor ordered for the Sharks.

Vandermeer plays more of an all-around game than what White brings. White had just six assists last season in 69 games.

Going forward, it would seem like White and Vandermeer may switch off time at that final spot on the defense, with Todd McLellan carrying seven defensemen to start the year.

Also, Justin Braun will be making occasional appearances on the third line, given injuries or faulty play.

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San Jose Sharks: 3 Simple Reasons Why They Are Better A Better Team This Season

The San Jose Sharks and GM Doug Wilson have been extremely busy this offseason, Their flurry of trades and signings have been well-documented throughout the league, and some wonder whether or not they were for the betterment of the team.

The Sharks started off by trading young winger Devin Setoguchi, prospect Charlie Coyle and their first round pick to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenseman Brent Burns.

They backed that up a week or so later in another trade with the Wild. This time it was Dany Heatley in exchange for the speedy Martin Havlat.

The main discussion after the trades was how this was to affect the Sharks' odds at another Stanley Cup run next season.

San Jose gave up scoring talent to acquire players that could fill the holes that the team lacked last season.

In all reality, the Sharks got better.

Here are three simple reasons why the Sharks will be better heading into next season.

1. The San Jose Sharks' Defense Is Solid

The acquisition for one of the best young defensemen in hockey today, Brent Burns, is going to notably improve the blueline for the Sharks.

In the 2010-11 season, the Sharks' defense seemed to be lackluster and was undoubtedly the team's weakness throughout the season. It became extremely clear during the playoffs.

Reports are that the Sharks still plan on rolling out the duo of Dan Boyle and Douglas Murray as their first line. That line would be followed by Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Jason Demers and Jim Vandermeer would take up the third line.

Burns is the most notable addition to this defense. He gives the team a physical appearance, something that the team lacked last season and were set on improving this offseason.

The 26-year-old also brings the team a consistent and powerful shot from the point, a loss of which has not been cured since Rob Blake left San Jose and retired form hockey.

The addition of Vandermeer also gives the team a veteran presence with success in the playoffs, as well as a physical presence along the boards.

San Jose's three lines on defense are extremely solid and it will give the team a whole new look and feel next season.

2. A Whole New Look to the Offense

The most obvious issue to take away from both of the Sharks' Western Conference Final defeats were that the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks were just plain quicker than San Jose.

It was an issue that GM Doug Wilson was frankly sick of, but knew that it needed to improve if the team was to have a realistic chance at making it to the Stanley Cup Finals in the coming seasons.

Enter Martin Havlat, whose trade from Minnesota has some loving him and others disliking the exchange.

The pure dislike is at the fact that the Sharks gave up a pure scorer in Dany Heatley for a veteran speedster in Havlat. Heatley's worst season point totals were Havlat's best in 2010-11.

Reports are coach Todd McLellan has a perfect strategy to change the overall skill set and repertoire of the team.

McLellan has reportedly chosen to place Havlat on the second line with Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture, while still having Patrick Marleau play with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the first.

The idea is that San Jose would have a speedster in Marleau on the first line and another speedster in Havlat on the second line.

The entire offensive mind of the Sharks will change this next season with that type of strategy, and improve a clear weakness of San Jose dating back to the 2010 Western Conference Finals.

3. In Reality, the San Jose Sharks Did Not Lose Much

The current issue of the offseason for the San Jose Sharks was that they acquired too little for what they gave up.

The two issues are trading the pure scorer Heatley for the veteran second-tier player Havlat, and trading young scorers in Setoguchi and Coyle for an elite, young defenseman. The impression was that they gave up too much in the Setoguchi/Burns deal for Burns to be in the last year of his contract.

The Burns issue has been cleared up, however, with the Sharks signing him on Monday to a five-year contract.

Problem solved.

But why give up Setoguchi, whose future is so bright in the NHL?

The reality of it was that the 24-year-old's future was never going to get brighter in San Jose. There were too many scorers and superstars on this team for him to shine in teal.

At mid-season, the call was for Setoguchi to be dealt at the trade deadline because of his lack of production throughout the first half.

Now that he is gone, suddenly his potential is what matters. However, as long as Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski and Couture are apart of this team, Setoguchi was never going to get his chance.

He will flourish in Minnesota, but his talent-level in San Jose was at its peak.

In return, the Sharks received an All-Star defenseman whose ceiling is so much higher than Setoguchi's.

The Heatley deal is more or less of the same. He never lived up to what others had made him up to be in San Jose, and for that, he was dealt.

He thrives where he is the only option on the ice, and he is sure to do that in Minnesota.

The fact that San Jose got the Wild to take his contract and massive cap hit next season was a win for Wilson and the Sharks, as it will help them financially stay in contention for the Stanley Cup.

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San Jose Sharks: Breaking Down the Projected Starting Lines in 2011-12

It is no secret that the San Jose Sharks have been active this offseason. The black and teal traded wingers Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley in exchange for All-Stars Brent Burns and Martin Havlat in two separate deals with the Minnesota Wild.

Why attempt to fix something that is not considered broken?

Ask Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who seems determined to put together the exact pieces for yet another Stanley Cup run next season.

San Jose has appeared in back-to-back Western Conference Finals, and still that does not seem enough for a team oozing with talent.

Given the trades this offseason, expect the Sharks to be back in 2011-12 ready to make another run through the Western Conference.

However, the starting lines do not seem as set as the confidence this team has in their ability to make another run at the Stanley Cup.

Here are the Sharks' projected starting lines next season:

Forwards

Marleau - Thornton - Pavelski

Clowe - Couture - Havlat

McGinn - Handzus - Mitchell

Desjardins - Wellwood - Ferriero

Defence

Boyle - Murray

Vlasic - Burns

Vandermeer - Demers

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NHL Rumors: Should the San Jose Sharks Continue Shopping?

It seems as though someone whispered into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson's ear after last season and told him that back-to-back Western Conference Final losses are just not enough.

So Wilson re-tooled.

Making the biggest splash of the 2011 free agency period, Wilson and the Sharks sent young scorer Devin Setoguchi and talented sniper Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat in two separate deals just 10 days apart.

It was an accord that payed off for both team, as the Wild got their go-to scorers and the Sharks got their premiere defenceman and discount winger.

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San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson Is Doing Work This Offseason

I ran into San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson the other day. No, I do not personally know him. I am not quite that far along in my journalistic career as of yet. However, I do work at the country club that he is a member at. So, yes, we're best friends.

Of course, I tried to sneak several peaks at him.

Can you blame me or anyone with a love for the Sharks?

This was the mastermind behind the Sharks' success year in and year out. He was the man with the power to do what he pleased with this team.

It was also his biggest time of the year. NHL Free Agency 2011.

As I passed the table where he and his family were eating lunch for the third time in the previous 20 minutes, I could not help but wonder if this man had another trade up his sleeve.

What does this man know as of this moment that the public did not?

Sure enough, two hours later, my phone started buzzing.

"Heatley Shipped to Minnesota"

The man with the power in San Jose had struck again.

The occasional fan can complain about the fact that the Sharks have traded away a homegrown talent and a past 50-goal scorer in the matter of a week. However, in the grand scheme of things, San Jose is a better team today than they were a week or so ago.

In two separate deals, the Sharks traded away Devin Setoguchi and Heatley for All-Star defenceman Brent Burns and All-Star winger Martin Havlat.

There are two reasons why Setoguchi and Heatley had to go.

With the amount of heavy scoring talent on this Sharks team, Setoguchi was never able to fully obtain his scoring potential, and he never was with players like Thornton, Pavelski and Marleau on the team. With the Wild, at least he will be able to spread his wings, so to speak.

In exchange, San Jose acquires the defensive version of much the same scenario in Burns. A player with extreme potential at a position where the Sharks needed it most.

As for Heatley, he never lived up to the potential that all of San Jose envisioned.

He came aboard as the player that was set to put them over the hump for the Stanley Cup, and he left after a year in which he scored just 26 goals - a career low.

Does Wilson have another trick up his sleeve?

Absolutely.

In the Heatley/Havlat deal, Heatley is a $7.5 million cap hit and Havlat is a $5 million cap hit.

San Jose can still make more moves this offseason, such as acquiring a veteran forward.

Also, they can now fiddle with newly acquired Burns' contract, as he becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season.

The Sharks' offseason facelift continues.

Whether or not these moves will bring success to San Jose is something we will find out in October.

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