In hockey circles the Sharks are often referred to as the best team never to win the Stanley Cup. In the past five seasons they’ve won the President’s Trophy for the best record in the league once and been to the conference finals twice without ever advancing to the Stanley Cup finals.
There is reason to believe that this year might be different. An infusion of young talent plus maybe a change in style have the Sharks off to an improved record. A year ago the Sharks were built around older, slower players like Ryan Clowe, and Douglas Murray. Now, they have been replaced by the younger and faster Tomas Hertl, Tommy Wingels, Justin Braun, and Tyler Kennedy.
So we have established that the Sharks are faster and younger, what else has changed? Off the Bench believes that the Sharks are tougher as well. Defenseman Brett Burns has moved to forward. He brings size (6-6, 240) and a defenseman’s toughness up front. Center Joe Pavelski has been dropped to the third line where he faces favorable matchups almost every game. His quickness works in his favor in his new position. Hertl has played at a Calder Trophy level in his role as the third member of the first line with Burns and Joe Thornton. Through December Hertl has played at a Calder Trophy level in his role as the third member of the first line with Burns and Joe Thornton. Through Dec. 31 he has 13 goals and 8 assists. Hertl has also contributed to Thornton leading the NHL in assists with 24.
Expectations were down for the Sharks going into this year. Experts have picked the Los Angeles Kings to win the Pacific Division and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks to win the conference and thereby represent the west in the Stanley Cup finals.Plus, the Sharks core is aging. Dan Boyle is 37, Thornton is 34 and Patrick Marleau is also 34. This makes for a bad play in the national press. So far this year those three have defied father time and have played up to their old levels.
Finally, Anti Niemi is at the top of his game in goal for the Sharks. He is covering both the low shots and the high. His backup, Alex Stalock, is a marked improvement over Thomas Greiss.
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This will be the last Off the Bench, at least as written by me. It has been my pleasure to serve you since Alive began publishing. However, I moved to San Diego in June and I have found it increasingly difficult to maintain my involvement with Bay Area sports, even in the Internet age. I have found there is no substitute for being part of the conversation and participating directly. I hope you understand and share with me the joy I have felt writing for you.
Here’s to you, my readers, without whom there is no point in writing this column.