Last week, the NHL announced regular season schedules. With it, opponents for home openers were disclosed. The San Jose Sharks are set to match up against the Florida Panthers to open the season at home, a matchup that comes with great opportunity for two new incomers on the blue line.
The home opener is not always indicative of how the entire season is going to play out, but it most definitely sets the tone for the first few months. The Sharks have a big challenge ahead opening the season against the Panthers, a team known to be rough opponents.
In the past, competitors have relatively easily beat up on the Sharks. With more finesse and skilled players already on the team, the organization has spent the offseason adding bulk to the roster with incoming players like Mason Marchment, Darnell Nurse, and Jacob Trouba. Trouba and Nurse, especially, are given a golden chance to show why they were added to the club against the Florida team, standing at 6-foot three inches and 6-foot four inches, respectively.
The Panthers are infamous for their physical style of play, and have only added to their intensity in the offseason. However, Trouba and Nurse’s big frames and no-nonsense styles are the perfect foil to a team like that. Neither player is going to let the bullies on the Panthers get at the Sharks' young talent or under their skin. Trouba, in particular, is well known for bullying the bullies-a trait that will be on full display against the Panthers.
With his fearless leadership, devastating hits, and no tolerance for funny business, Trouba can easily show the rest of the league the Sharks are no longer an organization that can be pushed around. Additionally, Nurse’s ability to use his size to keep instigators at bay is at perfect use against a team like the Florida Panthers. It’s a tall order to fill, but Trouba and Nurse are certainly up for the challenge.
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