San Jose Sharks: Marc Edouard-Vlasic to Lead Defense

Marc Edouard-Vlasic has become a staple to the San Jose Sharks defensive lineup over the past year. He not only played an incredible season, but he was a part of Team Canada during an epic Olympic performance in Sochi.

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2013-14 Review

Vlasic played in 81 games for the Sharks last season and recorded 5 goals and 19 assists. He had a +31 rating which placed him tied for 9th in the NHL. Vlasic played in 5 playoff games due to an injury after taking a hard hit from Jarret Stoll. Throughout those five games played, Vlasic contributed one goal and two assists.

Once out of the lineup, the Sharks defense realized just how much Vlasic contributed to the success of the team. Some spectators even influence the loss of the first round to the lack of good skill defensively while Vlasic was out.

2014-15 Prediction

With some holes in the current defensive lineup, Vlasic will have the chance to up his ante and better his offensive stats. It is likely that he will see a lot more time on the power play.

Vlasic will be just as great in the coming season, if not better, than he was during the 2013-14 campaign. Vlasic is still a younger player on the roster at the age of 27, and has an excellent chance to take on more leadership this year. Especially with Dan Boyle no longer on the roster, is it possible to see Vlasic become the new Boyle on the team? I don’t see why not.