San Jose Sharks preview: Erik Karlsson leads Stanley Cup hopefuls
Projected Lineup
How will the San Jose Sharks look this season? Let’s take a look at how I think their lineup will look most nights. But first, a hat tip to Sharks fan Jonathan Wold for helping me with the forward lines.
Forwards
Evander Kane – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Tomas Hertl – Logan Couture –Timo Meier
Kevin Lebanc – Antti Suomela – Joonas Donskoi
Marcus Sorenson – Dylan Gambrell – Melker Karlsson
Extra forward: Barclay Goodrow
The top forward line is what the Sharks were hoping to see at some point last season. Thornton’s latest knee injury delayed things, but on paper, this is a really great trio. It is, however, fair to question if number 19’s body can still handle first line minutes. If he can’t, the Sharks have enough options to make things work.
Couture leads a very solid second line, highlighted by Hertl and a young promising forward in Meier. Hertl is a guy you can probably pencil in for 40 points assuming he’s healthy. Pretty good for a top-six forward. Meier seems on the verge of breaking out after posting 21 goals in his first full NHL season.
The bottom six is where I start to get a bit concerned. Suomela posted 60 points in 59 points overseas in Finland last season. If he can make a smooth transition to North America and lead that third line, that would be huge. Having Lebanc and Donksoi flanking him should help.
Now, the fourth line is why I think the Sharks probably trade for another center at some point. Gambrell is coming off a successful college career but has yet to stand out in the NHL (albeit in a three-game sample size). Much like Suomela, the Sharks need him to transition quickly. If either of the two can’t, hey, at least we know Matt Duchene‘s probably available and Wilson has the Senators’ number on speed dial.
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Defense
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Erik Karlsson
Joakim Ryan – Brent Burns
Brendon Dillon – Justin Braun
Extra defenseman: Tim Heed
Armchair coaches envy Peter DeBoer. He’s got an outstanding group of defensemen to work with. And so many options. Does he ensure at least one of Burns, Karlsson, and Vlasic are on the ice at all times by separating the three? Maybe he decides to load up the top four?
Personally, I think the latter is the better idea, though the former is certainly worth testing as well. Vlasic is a top-tier defensive defenseman who can still chip in on offense. I believe Karlsson needs no introduction, but he’s the most impactful defenseman on offense in the NHL. On paper, that’s a heck of a duo.
What’s scary is this would leave Ryan and Burns (the second-most impactful defenseman on offense) to face lesser competition at home. They did very well last year as a duo. Much like Paul Martin before injuries made him expendable, Ryan seems to be a Burns whisperer. Burns is a choose-your-own-adventure book in the defensive zone, but Martin was able to help him improve. Ryan appears to have the same ability.
Dillon and Braun is a pretty solid third pairing. My guess is both will get heavy minutes on the penalty kill so the top four can dominate at even strength and the power play. Heed is someone who should be able to fill in anywhere in the lineup, especially given their depth.
Goaltenders
Both Jones and Dell are coming off rough seasons, but it’s worth noting their .914 save percentage was still slightly above average, ranking 14th out of 31 teams. At five-on-five, Jones and Dell combined to post a 91.64 save percentage, one of the lowest in the NHL. Given both of their resumes, I’d wager they bounce back. But, as everyone knows, goaltending is voodoo.