The 2023-24 NHL season for the San Jose Sharks was one they want to forget. A miserable start followed by a respectable finish led them to miss the playoffs. General manager MIke Grier knew something had to be done. However, most Sharks fans may not have expected this much turnover. That turnover was for the best and gives San Jose a team that may surprise some this season.
Sharks' Grier gives fans hope for playoffs
San Jose was left out of the playoff race last season and were seeking answers by the end of the season. Grier knew the team needed something, as they ranked at the bottom of the league in most offensive and defensive categories. Somehow, he needed to turn this team around and needed to do ti during the summer.
He did just that.
This summer, Grier and the Sharks added more scoring on both sides of the puck. A natural goal scorer, aggressiveness, and acquired a future franchise goaltender in a blockbuster trade. Brought into the fold were forwards Tyler Toffoli, Barclay Goodrow, Macklin Celebrini, Carl Grundstrom, and Alexander Wennberg. Joining them for the 2024-25 season are defensemen Jake Walman and Cody Ceci, along with goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.
The team, on paper, looks drastically different and is ready to compete. Toffoli is a 30-goal scorer. Goodrow and Grundstrom give the team grit and aggressive play. Wennberg brings scoring depth. Ceci brings a physical defensive style, while Walman will supply the offensnse from the back end. Askarov is a franchise goaltender with high hopes and filled with promise after a trade with the Nashville Predators.
One cannot look past the job Grier has done. This team was bad last season and he transformed them into possible playoff contenders. Although they are still a ways away from winning a Stanley Cup, this team may not be competitive and ready to compete in the Pacific Division. Last season, San Jose's stats fell way behind other teams and those stats are llisted below:
23-24 stats
180 goals scored- 30th in the league 320 goals allowed- most in the league 2.2 goals scored per game- tied for last 4.0 goals allowed per game- worst in the league 25.2 shots per game- last in the league 35.1 shots allowed per game- worst in the league 20.2 % on the power play- 21st 75.4% on penalty kill- 28th
The Sharks now have a roster with talent and are ready to show that last season was a fluke. They will not be Stanley Cup ready for a few more years, but they now have a chance to be in the race for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. This team should have more motivation and a new direction after bringing in new faces, giving the team a whole new look. They may be able to sneak up on some teams in the Western Conference this season.