Categories
NHL

What to expect from the San Jose Sharks this season

The offseason has been long, very long for Sharks fans. But, the wait is finally over… almost! The last time the Sharks played a game was on March 11th, a 6-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. But, that’s a thing of the past. Let’s get ready for this season, shall we?

The Sharks made some moves this offseason trading for goalie Devan Dubnyk from the Minnesota Wild for a fifth round pick in the 2022 draft. They also acquired forward Ryan Donato in a seprate trade with the Wild, giving away a third round pick.

In free agency, the Sharks were able to resign Kevin Labanc and bring back Patrick Marleau once again. The other notable free agents that signed with San Jose are Stefan Noesen and Matt Nieto. In simple terms, the Sharks offseason was uneventful for the most part.

The Sharks have a tough opening stretch to start off the season. Due to COVID-19 restrictions in the Santa Clara County, there is chance the Sharks will have to play their home games elsewhere. With that being said, the season starts in Arizona on January 14th. This is the first of an eight game road trip to start the season. Yes, San Jose opens up with an eight game road trip.

The first home game isn’t until February 1st against the Vegas Golden Knights. Again, there’s a chance that this game isn’t even played in San Jose. So what are the options for the Sharks this year for where they can play their home games?

The Sharks could make the trip to Los Angeles and share the ice with the Kings, or make a trip down to Arizona (where they held training camp) and share the ice with the Coyotes.

So what can fans expect on the ice this year? Well, fans sadly will no longer see Joe Thornton. Thornton took his talents to Toronto in the offseason hoping to win one more championship before he retires. Good luck with that Joe!

As for everyone else, it’ll be a rough start. It’s been awhile since the players have played a meaningful game. But, expect to see leadership from Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. With Thornton gone, there is a giant hole to fill in leadership. Don’t expect Logan Couture to take on that responsibility. If anything, it’ll be both Burns and Karlsson.

Last season before the season got cut short, Burns had 12 goals and 33 assists. Don’t expect to see 33 assists. Expect more. Other than being a great defenceman, he sets up goals. It’s what he does best. Burns needs to step up in a leadership role this year, now that big Joe is gone.

Then, there’s Karlsson, the other gem of the Sharks defencemen. His only issue is that he he cannot stay healthy. However, in an injury riddled shortened season, Karlsson managed to score six goals and have 34 assists. Just like Burns, expect Karlsson’s numbers to go up this season.

A dark horse player everyone should keep their eyes on this year is Tomas Hertl. Hertl only played in 48 games last year netting 16 goals and 20 assists. Expect him to take his game to the next level this year. Hertl is a young explosive player who can score. Last season’s seasons numbers don’t do him justice. It shouldn’t be surpirisng if at the end of the season, Hertl is the team leader in goals this year.

So, with all of that being said, it will be an up and down year for San Jose. But, fans get excited, the Sharks are finally back. Who knows, maybe with the new format for this year, the Sharks could be this year’s surprise team. Welcome back Sharks, the fans missed you.

Categories
Free Agency NHL

The Sharks Actually Did Something

Yes you read that right. The San Jose Sharks actually did something on the first day of free agency. No it’s not one of the top free agents in this year’s class. But it’s someone they wanted back. No, not Joe Thornton. It’s Stefan Noesen! He has re-signed with the Sharks on a one year deal worth $925,000.

In his first season in San Jose, Noesen scored six goals, with two assists for eight points in 34 games played. Not the flashiest kind of stats, but he did show positive flashes before the season shutdown last year.

Sharks fans, just be happy that something happened today. With the trades of Devan Dubnyk and Ryan Donato, there was a real chance San Jose was going to be quiet this weekend. But alas, maybe Doug Wilson has a plan and is not done yet this weekend.

Categories
Free Agency NHL

Ennis re-signs with OIlers for 2020-21

The Edmonton Oilers have resigned forward Tyler Ennis to a one year deal that is worth $1.000 million. Even though it’s only for a year, Edmonton keeps their guy for at least another year.

Edmonton acquired Ennis in a trade last season from the Ottawa Senators. After arriving in Edmonton he had four points (two goals, two assists) through season’s end. In Ottawa, he had 14-19–33 totals in 61 games.

Edmonton will now have Ennis for longer than nine games so there is some high powered offense coming to Edmonton. It’s time to get excited Oilers fans!

Categories
Free Agency NHL

Winnipeg Stays BEAUtiful

The Winnipeg Jets have brought back defenseman Nathan Beaulieu on a two-year deal with an average annual value of $1.250 million. Beaulieu was plagued last season due to injuries and only played 38 games.

In those 38 games, Beaulieu scored one goal and had seven assists for eight points. Not the season Winnipeg and Beaulieu were hoping for there’s room for redemption if he can stay healthy.

Beaulieu made it known that he wanted to stay in Winnipeg and he got his wish.

Categories
Free Agency

Petrovic signs with Flames

The Calgary Flames had a strong opening day in free agency. Not only did they add Jacob Markstrom earlier in the day on Friday, but Calgary also added Alexander Petrovic with a one-year, two-way, contract worth $700,000 at the NHL level and $300,000 at the AHL level.

Petrovic did not play in an NHL game last season after signing a professional tryout agreement with the Boston Bruins at training camp, then later earning a one-year contract and being sent to the Providence Bruins (AHL).

He amassed 2-18–20 totals in 54 games with the P-Bruins last season and might be a little more than just a depth signing if the Flames were in dire need.

Calgary wanted to improve their defense and they got their guy. What a time to be a Flames fan right now.

Categories
Free Agency NHL

Braden Holtby heads north to Vancouver

Braden Holtby signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks worth $8.600 million ($4.300 million AAV) on Friday– moving on to the Canucks after the Washington Capitals picked up former New York Rangers goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, as their new backup to Ilya Samsonov.

Holtby’s deal contains two minor interesting details.

One, it has a modified no trade clause in which Holtby can submit a list of up to four teams he won’t accept being traded to if Vancouver decides to move him. And two, it doesn’t contain a no movement clause, which means he’ll likely be available next offseason for the expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken, who will begin play in the 2021-22 season.

Last season Holtby went 25-14-6 in 48 games played (47 starts) and had a 3.11 goals against average, as well as an .897 save percentage to go along with 1,243 saves on 1,385 shots faced and 142 goals against.

For just the second time in his career he failed to record a shutout on the season.

With Thatcher Demko taking on a larger role for the Canucks– including some healthy competition with Holtby for the starting job, Holtby adds experience to the crease and is already willing to work with the young goaltender of the future in Vancouver.

Categories
NHL

NHL 2020 Top 10 Free Agents

The Tampa Bay Lightning completed their bubble journey and were crowned the 2020 Stanley Cup Champions… but that’s old news now. On Tuesday, the first round of the NHL draft happened followed by rounds 2-7 on Wednesday.

With all of that excitement now in the past (or still in the present for some), it’s time to move on in the NHL offseason. Friday, October 9th marks the first day of the NHL free agency period. An exciting day as fans are anxious to see if their team will make any moves, some will be happy, some on the other hand will experience heartbreak.

This offseason will be no different despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Many top stars are expected to be on the move, and here’s what I expect to happen to the top stars of this year’s NHL free agency class.

The crown jewel of this year’s free agency class is without a doubt St. Louis Blues defender Alex Pietrangelo. It has been reported that Pietrangelo will in fact test the free agent market to see who will offer him the best deal.

As we know, the St. Louis Blues had an impeccable run back in 2019, winning the Stanley Cup in seven games over Boston. However, the Blues won’t have any luck in resigning their captain. Here’s probably a prediction that fans of a team on the East Coast is going to love.

For the 2020-21 season, Alex Pietrangelo will be a member of the Boston Bruins. Yes, the 2019-20 Presidents’ Trophy winner will land the top free agent in this year’s free agent class.

With Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara as unrestricted free agents, Boston has money to spend (about 9 million). With Tampa Bay looking like an actual threat now, Boston is seeing its Stanley Cup window closing. Pietrangelo would be the perfect signing to boost Boston’s chances again of challenging for the Stanley Cup.

If teams miss out on Pietrangelo, the consolation prize is just as nice. This year it’s Taylor Hall. The former number one pick won the Hart Trophy back in the 2017-18 season, but since then, his production on the ice hasn’t been the same. It appears that Hall will not return to Arizona, so where will he go? Colorado.

Yes, the Avalanche will land Hall.

Hall needs to locate to another team to give him the confidence booster he had back in 2017. Nathan MacKinnon will do exactly that. Hall will join a contender and possibly push Colorado over the edge that they have desperately been trying to cross over.

As for the rest, here’s what I got.

  • Torey Krug (D) 2019-2020 (Boston) —> Detroit Red Wings
  • Tyson Barrie (D) 2019-2020 (Toronto) —> Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Jacob Markstrom (G) 2019-2020 (Vancouver) —> Edmonton Oilers
  • Mike Hoffman (LW/RW) 2019-2020 (Florida) —> Carolina Hurricanes
  • Braden Holtby (G) 2019-2020 (Washington) —> Calgary Flames
  • Evgenii Dadonov (RW)- 2019-2020 (Florida) —> Florida Panthers
  • Tyler Toffoli (RW/LW) 2019-2020 (Vancouver) —> Los Angeles Kings
  • Mikael Granlund (C/LW) 2019-2020 (Nashville) —> Nashville Predators

One more time just as a friendly reminder, NHL free agency starts this Friday!