Tomas Hertl Looks Sharp For San Jose Sharks In Early Going
Ever since Tomas Hertl donned a San Jose Sharks jersey for the first time, he instantly became a fan favorite. Hertl burst on to the scene with his youthful exuberance and flair for the dramatic. After all, Hertl scored four goals in a game against the New York Rangers and had 15 goals in his first 32 games.
However, the knee-on-knee hit delivered by Dustin Brown that many Sharks fans haven’t forgotten knocked Hertl of his trajectory. While he played in all 82 games last season which was a feat in an of itself, Hertl experienced the so-called sophomore slump, registering 13 goals and 31 points.
Heading into this season, our staff writer Sam Kelly wrote about how this is a pivotal season for Hertl, and I would agree with him in his sentiments. Hertl is entering the final year of his entry-level deal in San Jose and he needs to show what kind of player he is.
Thus far, the San Jose Sharks should be pleased with the early returns in training camp and through the first two preseason games where Hertl looks more like the rookie phenom than the player who appeared to lose his way during the 2014-15 season.
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Peter DeBoer featured Hertl in both preseason games against the Vancouver Canucks, and he acquitted himself nicely. In last night’s 4-0 victory, Hertl racked up two points, with a goal and an assist, but the most promising sign for Sharks fans is Hertl was in and around the offensive action.
Consistently, Hertl was parked in front of the net providing the screen for goals by Brent Burns and Nikolay Goldobin, while scoring his own by having a point shot deflect off him while being in front.
Also, Hertl looks much more fluid on the ice as he’s had a full offseason to train and strengthen his entire body.
In a well-written piece by Kevin Kurz of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area, Kurz details how Hertl changed his diet this season to cut out certain foods that were causing him problems. As Kurz notes, Hertl is up to 216 pounds but has shed much of the “baby fat” that he’s been carrying around.
The results should manifest themselves on the ice as Hertl looks to re-establish himself as a top-flight player for the San Jose Sharks. DeBoer has an interesting decision on where to slot him because Hertl could line up on the top line alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, or he could find himself centering the third line if the coaching staff want to place him in the middle of the ice.
Regardless of where Hertl finds himself, it’s clear he’s determined to make the necessary changes to prove he belongs at the NHL level. I know it’s early and only preseason, but so far so good as Hertl looks to answer the critics this season.
Next: Sharks Cruise Past Canucks For First Preseason Victory