Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks center Chris Tierney (50) scores a power play goal on Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since last season’s playoff collapse, general manager Doug Wilson has stated time and again that it was time to incorporate younger players into the San Jose Sharks lineup. While meeting with the media one final time to wrap up the 2014-15 season, Wilson singled out two young players that impressed during their inaugural season with the Sharks: Melker Karlsson and Chris Tierney.
Karlsson, 24, was a revelation for the Sharks this season. After playing the past four years in Sweden, Karlsson made his debut in teal two months into the season when the Sharks played host to the Edmonton Oilers. He would register his first-ever NHL point with an assist, as San Jose cruised to a 5-2 victory.
From there, Karlsson would never look back. He score his first career goal against the Anaheim Ducks on Dec. 22, but really found his stride just after the new year. From Jan. 3 through Jan. 10, Karlsson went on a five-game goal-scoring streak which found him with a new nickname, the “Melk Man.”
Karlsson would settle in nicely on the top line alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. In 53 games, Karlsson registerd 13 goals and 11 assists, with two game-winning goals. He was the recipient of the Sharks Rookie of the Year award for his play this year.
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It was a roller-coaster year for Tierney who began the season with the Sharks after making the team out of training camp. After recording two assists in San Jose’s first three games, Tierney would fail to score again until February.
He found himself on the long flights between San Jose and Worcester on multiple occasions before finally settling into the lineup for the Sharks. Following his final call-up at the beginning of March, Tierney was one of San Jose’s best forwards.
In the final 18 games of the season, Tierney recorded five goals, nine assists and was a plus-two. He found his niche within the team as the third-line center and began to display the kind of playmaking abilities that allowed him to make the team from the outset.
Tierney would finish three points behind Karlsson (six goals and 15 assists) despite playing in 10 fewer games and without the services of Thornton. He made a strong case for rookie of the year, but appears to have solidified the third-line center role that San Jose has been desperately seeking.
While the season was a disappointment for the organization, Karlsson and Tierney offered a nice glimpse of their potential. Now comes the hard part for both individuals as they must consistently repeat their performances next season to show they mean to stay at the NHL level.