By Taylor Lupetti (@tayclupetti ):
The San Jose Sharks (26-15-7) are midway through their 27th season, and with the new campaign came the induction of a new team to their division and the loss of a few veteran players.
While the team is currently second in the Pacific Division, they still have 34 games left in regulation play.
San Jose started the season for the first time in two decades without center/left-wing forward Patrick Marleau. Coming to SJ fresh out of the NHL Entry Draft in 1997, Marleau had not played for any other team in the league until accepting a three-year contract from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 2, 2017.
However, the loss of their former captain allowed players such as center Logan Couture to rise up and take charge. Outshining his teammates with 20 goals and 16 assists this season, his gotten used to the “Couture” chants at the SAP Center.
For center Joe Thornton, the season proved to be another difficult one. After sustaining and repairing injuries to his left ACL and MCL last season, Jumbo is out again — this time with surgery-required injuries to his right MCL.
Thornton signed a one-year, $8 million dollar contract with this Sharks in 2017. With this being the NHL veteran’s second injury in two seasons, its possible this is the end for the 38-year-old vet.
Defenseman Paul Martin was placed on waivers early in the new year after an ankle injury sat him out of a game. Until further notice, Martin is has been placed on San Jose’s minor league Barracuda lineup. His time with the ‘Cuda marks the first time the 36-year-old has played in the AHL.
The loss of experienced players means the need for younger players to step up. The Sharks currently hold the second most double-figure goal scorers in the league at seven (New York Rangers 8).
Relying heavily on their AHL affiliate, Barracuda players like Marcus Sorensen, Kevin Labanc and Danny O’Regan have stepped into the NHL spotlight to help get the Sharks to the playoffs.
Also suffering from a lower-body injury this season is Sharks’ goaltender Martin Jones. Jones is (14-11-4) this season and is dulling in comparison to Sharks’ backup goalie Aaron Dell, (12-4-3) this season.
Jones is expected to be back in front of the net by the beginning of February, but with Dell’s record this season it could be in the best interest for the Sharks to keep Dell stationed.
The Vegas Golden Knights joined the NHL this season and are dominating in the Pacific Division. While the Sharks hold second, it’s a tight race between the Calgary Flames and the Los Angeles Kings.
With the amount of loss the Sharks have suffered this season, the best they can do is hope their younger players to rise up and carry them to and through the postseason.