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San Jose redefined the spoiler role in the 1990s, slaying top seeds year after year in the opening round of the NHL playoffs. But with a strong corps of All-Stars and young talent, the Sharks are looking for a new motivation in the 2001-02 season. San Jose has set its sights on breaking into the elite Western Conference circle, which consists of Colorado, Detroit, Dallas and St. Louis. With newcomers Teemu Selanne and Adam Graves draping the teal jersey over their pads, San Jose has its best chance to advance past the second round of the postseason. But the Sharks' bite may be deadened by a spotty defense that ranks below the best in the West.
Here are your thoughts on what San Jose needs for next season:
Best of the rest
The Sharks will be the top of the bottom feeders. The Wings, Avs, Blues and Stars have all reloaded for the upcoming season. The Sharks might be able to knock one out in the "second" season, but no way will they take the West.
James
San Diego
Young 'D' key to stopping onslaught
The key will be their defense. Without Gary Suter and Jeff Norton, the "D" will have to rely on its youngsters. If Brad Stuart and Shawn Heins can step up and have great years, that should take pressure off of Evgeni Nabokov. A goalie is only as good as the "D" in front of him. No question the Sharks will score, but will they score more than they give up?
Brian
Saratoga, Calif.
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Sorry Shark fans, unless one of the Western Conference elite teams completely falls apart, I don't see San Jose making it up to the top. ” |
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— Eric, Southaven, Miss. |
Not quite there yet
The Sharks are a gritty, solid, young team. But that is all you can say for them. As for breaking into the West's elite? Don't hold your breath. The Sharks have a strong nucleus, and once veteran teams like Detroit and Dallas fade into oblivion, they will be a force to be reckoned with. But for now, they'll be lucky to make it to the second round. Evgeni Nabokov and Miikka Kiprusoff give them a very solid young tandem in goal. Owen Nolan and Teemu Selanne provide extreme talent with a balance of grit and finesse. Their defense has some nastiness in guys like Bryan Marchment and Scott Hannan, but if they don't re-sign Gary Suter, that will certainly be a big loss. The future looks bright at the Shark Tank, but as for this season, don't count on much.
Matt
Jefferson City, Mo.
Get ready for a party of five
I don't belive the Sharks can crack the big four. They do have Teemu Selanne for a whole year and it should help, but their young defense must hold up again. I don't follow the Sharks, but I wonder if there is any goalie controversy in San Jose. Trust me, you don't want to have to second-guess your starter and play two goalies the whole year. But I believe the Sharks will get that fifth playoff spot once again and give the fourth-ranked team a little scare, but they are no real danger in the playoffs.
Steve
St. Louis
Great expectations for talent-rich Sharks
Depending on Evgeni Nabokov's sophomore season, the Sharks could be in the Stanley Cup finals. If he should falter, they can throw rookie Marco Kiprusoff into the mix. The addition of Adam Graves gives them the strength of a solid third line of grinders with Scott Thornton and Todd Harvey. A healthy Vincent Damphousse between Teemu Selanne and Owen Nolan should prove to be one of, if not the most, powerful lines in the league. A second line of Mike Ricci, Niklas Sundstrom and Patrick Marleau is a nice backup should the chemistry of the first line not jell. Defense is the only suspect area with the Sharks. Marcus Ragnarsson missed some time last season due to a knee injury and Gary Suter's injury woes will undoubtedly continue. Brad Stuart will have to return to his rookie year form and is hopefully over his sophomore jinx. Bryan Marchment will continue to be the nastiest and dirtiest hitter in the league -- the Sharks can only hope that his games lost are due to suspensions, not injuries. Overall, the Sharks look great on paper for 2001-2002. Let's see if that paper comes to life come next June.
Eric
New York
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Brad Stuart and Gary Suter may be the only goal scorers (and are admittedly nowhere near the ability of Al MacInnis or Rob Blake), but defense isn't about scoring goals, it is about preventing goals. ” |
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— Matt, San Jose, Calif. |
Lack of signings hurts
Dean Lombardi and the Sharks management have been sitting on their butts this offseason while the other top teams in the West have been really active. The signing of Adam Graves is the only signing this offseason, but let's not forget about Teemu Selanne. He'll make an impact not only on the Sharks, but on the Western Conference as well. This season the Sharks will be even better than last year, but there are a lot of "ifs." There can't be any major injuries (Vinnie Damphousse, Selanne), no stupid suspensions (Owen Nolan) and Nabby has gotta be at the same level as last year. This team is fragile and pretty thin on D. Brad Stuart struggled last year, and everyone hopes for next year to be his breakout year. He's got all the tools necessary for becoming a top notch d-man. Scott Hannan, Bryan Marchment, Marcus Ragnarsson and Mike Rathje are all stellar, but defense is still a major concern.
Peppe
Stockholm, Sweden
Blue line stars would put San Jose over the top
Sorry Shark fans, unless one of the Western Conference elite teams completely falls apart, I don't see San Jose making it up to the top. The Sharks are a good team and proved it the last two years by knocking off the Blues in the first round in 2000. The moves they have made are good, but they lack the key in any top team -- defense. Look at the top teams and their defensive core: Detroit has Chris Chelios and Niklas Lidstrom, St. Louis has Chris Pronger and Al MacInnis, Dallas has Derian Hatcher and Sergei Zubov, and Colorado has Rob Blake and Adam Foote. Defense by committee does not work and they need two good core defensemen who lead the defense in front of their good young goalies. The Sharks will make a good run but fall short in the playoffs.
Eric
Southaven, Miss.
Catching up with lead pack
If all the pieces fall into place, the Sharks could really have a great season and crack the 110-point mark (while winning the Pacific Division). There is a lot of talk about the top four in the West and how they all have improved their rosters. But if you take a second look, that's not true because the Blues have added Doug Weight but lost Pierre Turgeon and promising young center Jochen Hecht. And whether Fred Brathwaite or Brent Johnson will be the answer in goal remains to be seen. Colorado lost Ray Bourque, Dallas added Turgeon and some other quality UFAs, but don't underestimate the value of Golden Brett Hull for the Stars. He's gone and so could be the Pacific Division title. The Sharks' defense must stay healthy, Brad Stuart, Patrick Marleau and Marco Sturm must show further progress and Teemu Selanne and Own Nolan need to get back in top shape. The addition of Adam Graves gives the Sharks two of the league's better scoring lines.
Dominik
Hessen, Germany
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The future looks bright at the Shark Tank, but as for this season, don't count on much. ” |
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— Matt, Jefferson City, Mo. |
Goals don't matter on 'D'
Saying San Jose's defense isn't on par with Colorado or St. Louis is not only wrong, it is ludicrous. Brad Stuart and Gary Suter may be the only goal scorers (and are admittedly nowhere near the ability of Al MacInnis or Rob Blake), but defense isn't about scoring goals, it is about preventing goals. Mike Rathje and Marcus Ragnarsson have been overlooked time and time again -- all they do is shut down the opposing teams' top line night in and night out. Still think San Jose's defense is the weak link? Check the goals-allowed stat again.
Matt
San Jose, Calif.
Selanne must toughen up
Great start, flat finish. I didn't like what I saw of Teemu Selanne in the playoffs. Granted, he was injured, but he didn't seem to fit the Sharks/Darryl Sutter mold at all. Too pretty, not very gritty. If he buys in to the program and gets his scoring touch back, the Sharks could replace the Stars in the West's top four.
Mike
Cleveland
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