NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Rob Blake, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Los Angeles Kings)
Dan Boyle, D (Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Brad Lukowich, D (Acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Curtis Brown, C (Signed with Kloten Flyers of the Swiss National League)
Brian Campbell, D (Signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks)
Matt Carle, D (Traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning)
Sandis Ozolinsh, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Patrick Rissmiller, LW (Signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers)
Craig Rivet, D (Traded to the Buffalo Sabres)
Alexei Semenov, D (Unsigned Free Agent, Invited to San Jose's Training Camp as a Tryout)
2007-08 Season Finish: 1st Pacific Division, 2nd Western Conference, 108 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Won 4-3 against the Calgary Flames in Quarterfinals
Lost 4-2 to the Dallas Stars in Semi-Finals
2008-09 Prediction: 1st Pacific Division, 2nd Western Conference
The San Jose Sharks enjoyed a late season surge in 2007-08, losing only two games after the trade deadline on February 26 and were among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. However, the team struggled in the playoffs and was bounced in the second round by the Dallas Stars. After making some changes to the team during the off-season, mainly on defense, the Sharks look to be a better team than last season and could likely be among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2008-09. Joe Thornton gives the Sharks one of the best playmakers and passers in the game. Coupled with his goal-scoring talent and toughness, Thornton is easily one of the most skilled players in the game. Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek, and Patrick Marleau give the Sharks three skilled goal-scorers with lots of offensive depth, though Marleau's offensive production has been in decline for the past few seasons. Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi are quickly emerging as legitimate goal-scorers on the Sharks' offense and will likely be staples on the team's forward lines for years to come. Ryane Clowe and Torrey Mitchell give the Sharks two offensively talented forwards with a lot of toughness, though Mitchell is going to miss at least the next eight weeks with two broken bones in his lower left leg that he suffered during a training camp scrimmage. Jeremy Roenick, one of the most outspoken players in the league today, gives the team lots of leadership and offensive depth, while veteran Mike Grier brings lots of speed and talented two-way play to the team. Marcel Goc provides plenty of offensive depth for the Sharks, while Jody Shelley brings lots of rugged and gritty play to the team as an enforcer. The Sharks have plenty of talented, young forwards who will look to make the team at training camp on their fine offensive skills, including Logan Couture, Lukas Kaspar, Riley Armstrong, Tom Cavanagh, and Tomas Plihal, who is currently on a training camp tryout. While the Sharks have plenty of young, offensive talent on their forward lines, the addition of a veteran forward or two for depth could be beneficial to the team come playoff time.
The Sharks saw several changes made on their defense during the first few days of free agency, including the departure of the highly skilled Brian Campbell. To replace Campbell and address the need for an offensive defenseman, the Sharks acquired Dan Boyle in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Boyle brings the Sharks lots of offensive skill and depth on the blueline, especially on the power play. The Sharks defense also got a lot tougher with the addition of Rob Blake via free agency. Blake gives the Sharks lots of leadership, defensive depth, and physical play on defense. Kyle McLaren and Doug Murray also give the Sharks two gritty and rugged defensemen. Brad Lukowich provides the team with plenty of defensive depth, while Christian Ehrhoff and Marc-Edouard Vlasic give the Sharks rising offensive potential on the blueline. Prospects Nick Petrecki and Derek Joslin could look to earn a roster spot at training camp on their fine defensive talent. While the Sharks have plenty of physical bodies on the blueline, the addition of another offensive defenseman could prove beneficial to the team.
Evgeni Nabokov enjoyed a career season in 2007-08 as the Sharks starting goaltender and will look to have another fine season in 2008-09. One of the top goaltenders in the league, Nabokov is a very talented and solid goaltender that's tough to beat. Brian Boucher, signed late last season for depth going into the playoffs, enjoyed a fine performance in the few games he played. He was resigned over the summer to be the Sharks backup goaltender for the 2008-09 season. Boucher is a solid netminder who could easily take over as the starter for Nabokov if he should struggle or suffer a lengthy injury during the 2008-09 season.
STRENGTHS
- Plenty of quality goal-scorers on offense.
- Very physical defense with plenty of veteran depth.
- Solid goaltending.
WEAKNESSES
- Could use another veteran forward or two for depth.
- Could use a bit more offense on defense.
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