Blades of Teal
Fansided

3 Potential Breakout Candidates on the San Jose Sharks

By Lucas Burrell

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks takes a shot on goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks takes a shot on goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 07: An overhead view as Radim Simek #51 of the San Jose Sharks skates ahead with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens at SAP Center on March 7, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 07: An overhead view as Radim Simek #51 of the San Jose Sharks skates ahead with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens at SAP Center on March 7, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Radim Simek

During Radim Simek’s stint on the San Jose Sharks roster they were playing some of the best hockey of their 2018 – 2029 campaign. Riding shotgun on the left side of Brent Burns the Czech forward served as a steady presence on the ice while his partner often jumped up into the play leaving the first year pro often all alone defending the blueline.

In 41 games at the NHL level for Team Teal, Simek put up a modest 9 points, but his impact on the ice can’t really be accurately measured by overall point totals. A better illustration of the 26-year-old’s effectiveness is his expected +/- (3.5), this exhibits that even with added defensive responsibilities  and the burden of having a goalie with a below average save percentage Simek’s presence on the ice had a drastic net positive on the Sharks overall production.

Not only does he compliment Team Teal’s possession heavy style of play additionally he brings a physical presence that is necessary for a Sharks team often battling against Western Conference opponents. He does all of this while remaining a very disciplined skater only committing 4 penalties during his time on the big club.

An injured ACL and MCL that required surgery to repair ended Simek’s season in mid-march. Nevertheless the left-handed blueliner appears ready for the start of training camp and the regular season. If he remains on the ice, Sharks fans shouldn’t get surprised if Simek’s ice-time jump’s significantly, especially if management feels the need to shift around any more contracts in order to improve other parts of the roster.

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