With 14 games left to play, it’s time to look at the San Jose Sharks’ report card across performance areas. Officially out of Stanley Cup Playoff contention, the Sharks will look to finish the season strong in the final stretch.
Macklin Celebrini is on a hot streak with 11 points in his last 12 games, leading the Sharks in points. Celebrini (50 points in 56 games) and William Eklund (49 points in 63 games) are clear bright spots for the team. They have been showing consistency despite the struggles around them.
Will Smith (35 points in 60 games) has been averaging 15:10 TOI, easing into his role on the team. Smith has shown brilliance as a playmaker recently, with five goals and seven assists in his last 10 games.
Veteran Tyler Toffoli’s production (49 points in 65 games) remains solid. But secondary scoring may be in decline since the trade deadline.
Since the departure of Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund, the Sharks have holes in their offense that need replacing.
Power play production seems okay but definitely not elite. Celebrini (7 PPG, 12 PPA), Eklund (6 PPG, 9 PPA), and Toffoli (5 PPG, 8 PPA) lead the charge there.
The bright spot offensively is Celebrini’s ability to generate offense even though the team has struggles. Areas that need improvement are scoring depth consistency since trades and weak production from the bottom-six forwards.
Team Teal’s blueline has been decimated by the trades of Cody Ceci and Jake Walman. Mario Ferraro (12 points, -22 plus-minus, 21:10 TOI) has been left to carry a heavier load.
Timothy Liljegren (12 points in 53 games, 18:12 TOI) has stepped in but hasn’t been a game-changer.
Meanwhile, Henry Thrun (10 points in 52 games) is still developing but isn’t making a major impact offensively.
Ferraro and Shakir Mukhamadullin (17:12 TOI) are doing what they can, but this unit is in a rough patch.
Defensively, the Sharks’ bright spot is Mukhamadullin’s potential showing in his NHL minutes. Ferraro has also worn the alternate captain’s “A” well, stepping into a leadership and workhorse mentality despite the tough season. Blueline improvements lie in the late-game breakdowns and overall talent since trading Ceci and Walman.
Alexandar Georgiev (5-16-1, .875 SV%) has struggled behind a weak defensive core.
Yaroslav Askarov (4-6-2, .896 SV%) has been better but still below league average. Askarov has been out with a lower-body injury, but is expected to return with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). The Sharks may have Askarov finish the season with the Barracuda before a future full-time NHL role.
While goaltending is not the only problem, neither netminder has been able to steal games.
Askarov’s development in the AHL serves as a bright spot that could set him up for NHL impact next season. The Sharks need to improve their league-worst save percentages and get more stability in net.
San Jose’s power-play has produced at times, but it’s not consistent enough to make up for their other issues.
On the penalty kill, the Sharks have been without, letting late-game breakdowns lead to losses.
Forward Alexander Wennberg (2 short-handed assists) has provided some offensive upside while shorthanded.
Stepping up after core d-men were traded, Ferraro has been taking on heavier PK minutes.
While Barclay Goodrow brings penalty-killing experience, he is -32 plus-minus and has seven points in 62 games.
The bright spot here is the Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli line, who drive offensive special teams. Celebrini leads the way with seven PPG and 12 PPA, followed by Eklund with six PPG and nine PPA. Toffoli has also contributed consistently with five PPG and eight PPA. Often collapsing at key times, the penalty kill could use improvement.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky is working with a roster in flux, adding to the team’s prevailing issue with breakdowns.
Warsofsky has made it clear that everyone must prove they deserve a role moving forward.
“There’s jobs to be won here for the future of this organization,” Warsofsky said, per Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News.
While Mike Grier has been lauded for his moves towards future assets, it’s left the roster patchy in other areas. Outside of the Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli line, there have been constant lineup changes. Time will tell which players fit the team’s long-term plans.
A bright spot is that many young players are getting chances to prove themselves. The team needs to improve its structure late in games, and management’s direction remains in rebuild status.
Overall Grade: C-
While the standings leave something to be desired, there is plenty of hope for the future. San Jose’s next matchup is Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes on home ice.
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Featured image courtesy of San Jose Sharks on NHL.com
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