San Jose Sharks Notes: DeBoer Plans To Announce Captain Before Season
Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) argues with NHL referee Francis Charron (6) during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks have been without a captain since last summer when they stripped Joe Thornton of the captaincy position after four seasons.
In what has become a frequent topic surrounding the Sharks, it appears San Jose will finally have a captain by the time the 2015-16 season begins.
According to Kevin Kurz of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area, head coach Peter DeBoer plans to have a captain in place prior to the start of the new season.
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Here’s what DeBoer had to say to Kurz when asked about a timeframe for the decision:
"“I’m going to take some time to get to know the group. That might take the whole preseason. We’ll have a captain by the first game of the season.”"
Last season was the first season in franchise history in which the Sharks didn’t have a captain. Instead, San Jose decided to have four rotating alternates that consisted of Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
While DeBoer will take some time to get to know his new team, many expect Pavelski to be the choice for the captain’s position. Pavelski was the team leader last season and it seems like a logical progression for him to assume the team’s head leadership role. Also, I’d expect Thornton to be named as one of the alternates because his name will always be the lead one when associated with the Sharks.
Coaching Tidbit
While the coaching staff hasn’t been finalized yet, it appears that two names have emerged as finalists for the job. Adam Oates and Steve Spott are top candidates to join DeBoer’s staff.
As was originally reported a couple of weeks ago, Oates has been rumored to join DeBoer’s staff and it looks like it might be coming to fruition. Oates and Spott both have experience working with DeBoer in the past so should come as no surprise that their names are connected in joining DeBoer in San Jose.