Do The San Jose Sharks Deserve Newfound Optimism?
By Coral Cannon
For weeks now, the San Jose Sharks have made headlines regarding the significant changes made to the organization during the offseason. In many ways, Sharks fans simply wanted change.
General manager Doug Wilson was criticized endlessly following the team’s most recent playoff upset. Few changes were made and hope was at an all-time low for the organization and its loyal fan base. Though many players continued to say the right things, it was clear something just wasn’t right. It was time for a change of sorts.
Fast forward to the present and already the Sharks are the center of immense optimism. Part way into the preseason, there are already several positive takeaways, making this season look brighter than the past.
But is this newfound optimism premature? Have the Sharks actually made the necessary changes to once again become a serious playoff contender?
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In short, yes, I believe so.
The San Jose Sharks deserve every bit of optimism they have received. SAP Center will continue to be a difficult building to play in, and the team will have no problem inflicting fear upon their Pacific Division rivals once again.
Peter DeBoer arrived in San Jose bright-eyed and ready to work. He has assured the media the team will have a captain come opening night.
On a number of occasions, DeBoer made sure to stress the significance of letting the players arrive at training camp ready to let their actions speak for themselves. He vows not to place too much emphasis on the past, encouraging each and every player to begin a new chapter in their career.
This attitude is precisely what the team needs. Perhaps the 2014-15 season was plagued with negative emotions and unresolved tension. No matter the details, the past has come and gone and the only moment that matters is right now. The only season that matters is this one.
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With names like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Logan Couture, there’s no denying the raw talent in San Jose. That hasn’t changed.
The addition of Paul Martin and Joel Ward is a welcomed change, sure to increase stability and bring out the best in existing players.
Martin Jones is calm, cool, and collected heading into the most significant season of his career thus far. The 25-year-old is ready to take on a significant role in San Jose and fans can’t deny he certainly has the poise for it.
Then there’s the young talent in San Jose. This alone is plenty of reason to look forward to the coming years. Matt Nieto and Tomas Hertl are expected to improve upon their sophomore years and several excellent prospects are expected to continue their upward trajectory into the National Hockey League.
Much of the criticism surrounding the Sharks in the past has not stemmed from a lack of talent. Rather, the motivation and heart of the team has been questioned, especially during times of immense pressure.
At least for the time being, those criticisms deserve to be laid to rest.
The talent is there and the coaching staff is as eager as ever. The future looks bright. Most importantly, the Sharks are hungrier than ever for a fresh start. Players appear to be on the same page and the good vibes have spread like wildfire.
Heading into the 2015-16 season, the team is right where they should be in all aspects.
Next: Top Five Takeaways Of Training Camp For San Jose Sharks