SAN JOSE SHARKS: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 49-23-10 108 points
DIVISION: 1st
CONFERENCE: 2nd
RESULT: Lost in 2nd round

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: D Brian Boyle, D Rob Blake, D Brad Lukowich
DEPARTURES: C Curtis Brown, D Brian Campbell, D Matt Carle, D Sandis Ozolinsh, LW Patrick Rissmiller, D Craig Rivet

After yet another disappointing early playoff exit, the Sharks had to do something to change up their squad and they did so by firing head coach Ron Wilson. In replacement the Sharks hired young Todd McLellan, formerly the Red Wings assistant coach who the Sharks hope to bring a new youthful outlook to the team. The Sharks also bolstered their blueline adding big names Brian Boyle, Rob Blake and Brad Lukowich. They replace Brian Campbell, Matt Carle and Craig Rivet. Campbell was thought to be re-signing with the Sharks at the start of the summer but took the big money in Chicago. Boyle, Blake and Lukowich all bring huge expierence which what could be the missing piece to get the Sharks over the hump. The Sharks paid big money for 39 year old Blake and took a bit of a risk with Boyle and his huge contract at age 32.

CAP HIT: 56.93 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- P.MARLEAU-J.THORNTON-J.CHEECHOO
2- M.MICHALEK-J.PAVELSKI-R.CLOWE
3- D.SETOGUCHI-J.ROENICK-M.GRIER
4- T.PLIHAL-M.GOC-J.SHELLEY
E- L.KASPAR-T.MITCHELL(INJ.)-M.MORRIS

Like many other teams the Sharks have good depth down the middle with Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Torry Mitchell. One of them is likely to move to the wing, either Pavelski or Marleau but with the injury to Mitchell, Marleau and Pavelski will probably start the season playing the 2nd and 3rd line center positions. Thornton who is good for 90+ a season will be looked to try to revitalize Jonathan Cheechoo's scoring ability. Cheechoo needs to become the 40+ goal scorer he was in order for the Sharks to take the next step in winning a Stanley Cup. Milan Michalek was also a disappointment last season and will have to regain his form. Ryan Clowe was a nice surprise in the playoffs after only appearing in 15 regular season games and should be good for at least 20 goals this season. Jeremy Roenick was one of the biggest surprises in the league last season, no one could of predicted he'd score 14 goals and if he does it again, it will be simply a miracle. Devin Setoguchi looks to stick with the club the whole year and should get the chance to play big minutes if he produces offensively. Jody Shelley, Mike Grier, Marcel Goc and Tomas Plihal bring the grit and toughness every team needs.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- R.BLAKE-M-E VLASIC
2- B.BOYLE-D.MURRAY
3- C.EHRHOFF-B.LUKOWICH
E- A.SEMENOV-K.McLAREN

The Sharks added alot of leadership to this group with the acquisition of Boyle and the signing of Blake. Both bring Stanley Cup rings and experience which the Sharks management hope they will spread through the whole team. Blake and Boyle will both be looked upon to continue the development of both M-E Vlasic and Doug Murray. Vlasic seems to be on his way to be a top-4 defensemen while it will be wait to be seen whether Murray is more than a one-year wonder. Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich give the Sharks a solid 3rd pairing while veteran Kyle McLaren was the odd man out and was placed on waivers.

GOALIES:
1- E.NABOKOV
2- B.BOUCHER
3- T.GREISS

Evgeni Nabokov was spectacular last season and many Sharks fans and hockey fans will argue the Vezina as leagues best goalie by stolen from him by Martin Brodeur. Nabokov gives the Sharks a chance to win every night and nothing less will be expected of him this year. Brian Boucher was signed late last season but adds good leadership in the dressing room and is very capable of playing the 3-5 games Nabokov doesn't.

OVERALL:

The Sharks are once again heavy Cup contenders and have new reason to believe this is the year with new head coach Todd McLellan and the additions of Blake and Boyle. It remains to be seen if forwards Thornton Michalek and Cheechoo can step up and become playoff performers. The Sharks will be nip and tuck in the division race all year in probably the best division in the league. It is obviously win now for the Sharks with the additions of veterans Blake and Boyle and if they dont do it this year, GM Doug Wilson could be the next out the door following Wilson.

PREDICTION: 2nd Division, 4th Conference