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4 Burning Questions Heading Into the San Jose Sharks Regular Season

By Michael Gutnick

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 07: An overhead view as Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks prepares to face off against Jeff Carter #77 the Los Angeles Kings at SAP Center on January 7, 2018 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 07: An overhead view as Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks prepares to face off against Jeff Carter #77 the Los Angeles Kings at SAP Center on January 7, 2018 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – MAY 15: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – MAY 15: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks skates with the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

3. Can Erik Karlsson stay healthy this season?

The Sharks did not get completely healthy Erik Karlsson last season with a groin injury, which hindered his ability to smoothly skate and find the back of the net.

Karlsson registered three goals and 45 points  in 53 regular season games before finding a rhythm in the postseason with two goals and 16 points.

Yet, the nagging injuries derailed his durability in the moments that mattered most, and kept the two-time Norris Trophy winner from competing at his best in his first year as a Shark after the blockbuster trade a summer ago.

Now, after successful groin surgery and an 8-year, $92 million contract extension, Karlsson is due to unleash his full potential and be a dangerous threat every time he takes the ice.

He, along with Brent Burns, make an unstoppable top-two blue line pairing in the league, and wield powerful shots and fancy tricks up their sleeves on both special teams and at even-strength.

Karlsson is an offensive force on the ice. Aside from his stellar defensive and offensive capabilities, the main test will be if he can stay in tip-top shape through a 82-game campaign.

The six-time All-Star has played the full length of the regular season three times in his 10-year career with the last as an Ottawa Senator during the 2015-2016 season.

So, can Karlsson be consistently healthy while maintaining a high compete level on the ice?

The answer points to yes. All he has to do is just prove it.

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