With the offseason underway for a number of teams and the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.
2016-17 Grade: B
The San Jose Sharks fell in the first round of the playoffs, unable to build on last year's trip to the Stanley Cup Final, as the injury-riddled squad was eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in six games.
Free Agents
Two players stand out among the handful of skaters due new contracts come July 1: Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.
Both former Sharks captains, the aging scorers are still seen as important pieces of San Jose's core. However, the challenge with any new deal will be term, as contracts signed after age 35 can have long-term salary cap implications.
| Player (Position) | 2017-18 Status | Age | 2016-17 Cap Hit | '16-17 Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Thornton (F) | UFA | 37 | $6.75M | 50 |
| Patrick Marleau (F) | UFA | 37 | $6.667M | 46 |
| Micheal Haley (F) | UFA | 31 | $625K | 12 |
| Chris Tierney (F) | RFA | 22 | $712K | 23 |
2017 Draft Picks
The Sharks have seven picks in the coming draft. After the first round, San Jose won't pick again until Round 5, having traded its second-, third-, and fourth-rounders. Those selections acquired Roman Polak, Nick Spaling, and Jannik Hansen, plus a compensatory pick was sent to New Jersey for coach Peter DeBoer.
| Round | Picks |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 3 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 6 | 2 (Own & Coyotes) |
| 7 | 3 (Own & Blackhawks & Senators) |
Summer Priorities
1. Bring back Thornton, move on from Marleau
Thornton's production fell to 50 points this season, down from 82 the previous year. While he's no longer the face of the franchise - that title belongs to defenseman Brent Burns - there is still value in size up the middle, and the Sharks have that in spades in Thornton.
Related: Burns, Crosby, McDavid named Ted Lindsay Award finalists
As for Marleau, he's been a loyal soldier for the franchise that drafted him second overall in 1997, but looming cap concerns could force the longest-standing Shark to test the free-agent waters this summer.
2. Rest and relaxation to prepare for another Cup run
It's difficult to make repeat trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, let alone win it all. The Sharks whiffed in the playoffs this year, but an extended offseason could pay big dividends for a squad which played 106 games last year and followed it up with another 88 contests this campaign.
An extended summer will also aid the ailing Sharks in recovering from an injury-riddled postseason, in which all of Thornton, Marleau, Tomas Hertl, and Logan Couture played banged up.
3. Inject new blood to the forward ranks
Look for San Jose to add some youth next season, headlined by 2015 top pick Timo Meier. The 20-year-old split this season between the Sharks and the minors, where he finished with 23 points in 33 games with the AHL's Barracudas. He's ready for full-time NHL duty next season.
Sharks fans will also be reminded of Hertl, who was limited to 49 games this season due to a knee injury. The 23-year-old was one of the team's most exciting players a year ago, when he finished with 46 points in 81 games.
2017-18 Outlook
The Sharks' Stanley Cup window hasn't fully closed, but the team's shot at winning it all is becoming increasingly slim as its core ages.
The pieces are there - Pavelski, Couture, Burns, and goaltender Martin Jones - for the Sharks to continue to contend, but the team needs to add more flair to its lineup to keep up with the best of the West. San Jose's 221 goals this season ranked a pedestrian 19th.
Last year's big-ticket free agent, Mikkel Boedker, failed to deliver on offense, as he chipped in just 10 goals. The Sharks need more from him, while they will also look to their young talent in Meier and Hertl to take the next step. The Sharks' core can contribute, but more is needed across the board in order for San Jose to keep its place in the contender's circle.
Offseason Outlook Series
COL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF
DET | DAL | FLA | LAK | CAR
WPG | PHI | TBL | NYI | WSH
TOR | CGY | BOS | SJS | STL
NYR | EDM | MTL | ANA | MIN
CBJ | CHI | OTT | PIT | NAS
LGK
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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