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Meet the 2015-16
Sharks Taking a look at the defense
The 2015-16 NHL Regular Season gets underway on
Wednesday night when the Sharks travel to Southern California to take on their
rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. As the San Jose tries to rebound from their
worst season in over 10 years, we take a quick look at the players that will
adorn the teal and black this season. Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson didn't
dismantle his underperforming roster, but he did retool some of the lineup as
the team tries to get back in the playoff hunt after getting bumped last
season. San Jose looks to a blend of veterans, youngsters and new free
agents.
We turn our attention to the blueline, where the Sharks will
serve up a blend of young and old as they try to fix a defense that was
constantly tested last season.
Defenseman
Justin Braun
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
San Jose |
70 |
1 |
22 |
23 |
48 |
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Hard to believe it but this will be Braun's 7th season
as a Shark. Not regarded as one of the Sharks top options on the blueline,
Braun goes about his job in a yeoman's fashion. Don't expect him to light up
the scoreboarrd, because his focus is on containing opposing players. Braun has
9 career goals in 287 career NHL games, although his 22 assists last year were
a career high. The Sharks will look to Braun to help stabelize an erratic
defense, especially on the penalty kill. Braun doesn't have the skating ability
to get any time on the power play, but his big frame makes him a great option
when the Sharks are short-handed.
Brent Burns
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
San Jose |
82 |
17 |
43 |
60 |
65 |
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Todd McLellan or Doug Wilson's inconsistency in trying
to figure out were Burns fit on the ice the last two seasons resulted in a
confused hockey player that struggled. While Burns contributed on the offensive
side of the puck, his defense paid the price. The burly defenseman was
consistently beat by opposing offenses, and was exposed for his inability to
cover faster skaters in open ice. Burns has a big shot that is a benefit on the
power play, but where do the Sharks play him in even-up situations. Training
camp would suggest that Burns will be rooted as a defenseman, but anything is
possible.
Dylan DeMelo
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
Worcester |
65 |
5 |
17 |
22 |
32 |
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After a couple of years of seasoning in Worcester,
DeMelo got a chance to play his way on to the Sharks roster during the
preseason. DeMelo seized the opportunity and looks as if he'll be on the
opening night roster. The Sharks needed more consistency on the blueline from
their younger ranks, so DeMelo will take Mirco Mueller's spot in the lineup as
the young Swiss player tries to season his game with the Barracuda. DeMelo
outplayed his teammate this preseason, and was especially impressive in games
against the Ducks. DeMelo doesn't carry the same frame as Mueller, but is a
better skater and has better vision when trying to move the puck up ice.
Brenden Dillon
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
San Jose / Dallas |
80 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
77 |
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While the ink dries on Dillon's new contract, the
Sharks get to see what Dillon can do in a full season. After acquiring the
young blueliner last December for Jason Demers, Dillon proved he was worthy of
the new deal and is poised to be a fixture on the blueline for a while. The 25
year-old B.C. native enters his 5th full season in the NHL and will play the
role of stay at home defenseman, accenting the more free-wheeling style of
players like Brent Burns. He also allows players like Marc-Edouard Vlasic and
Matt Tennyson to open things up a bit more offensively.
Paul
Martin
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
Pittsburgh |
74 |
3 |
17 |
20 |
20 |
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The newly acquired defenseman starts his 12th season
in the NHL, and was brought in to provide more stability on the blueline. The
Sharks needed to upgrade from the skittish play on the back end last season, so
the calming effect of a veteran defenseman is just what the doctor ordered.
Martin isn't a big scoring type, but his job is to stop other teams from
scoring. The biggest hole in Martin's game is the lack of speed in open ice. He
was beat on several occasions during the preseason on breaks that required some
acceleration as opposing players opened things up. Look for Martin to play in
the top pairing to start the season, likely alongside Vlasic.
Matt
Tennyson
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
San Jose / Worcester |
70 |
6 |
17 |
23 |
46 |
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The Barracuda Express essentially means a trip down
the hall when the Sharks need to send players for some development work in the
AHL. Tennyson will likely be the guy that gets to split time between the big
club and the minors. The Sharks haven't given up on Mueller and 2nd round draft
pick Jeremy Roy is waiting in the wings. Tennyson will serve as the 7th
defenseman so his fate will be dictated by how he performs early in the season
and if any of the top 6 guys falter.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
2014-15 Club |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
Points |
PIM |
San Jose |
70 |
9 |
14 |
23 |
23 |
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Vlasic sits firmly positioned as the Sharks top
defender. The combination of his slick skating, consistent puck handling, and
above average passing makes him the guy that the younger Shark defenders should
be emulating their game around. Vlasic has an exceptional hockey IQ, and has a
temperament perfect for the NHL grind. It was a mistake not giving the young
blueliner a letter. He's established himself as a top flight defender that
might be too mild mannered for the job, but if an assistant captain needs to
lead by example, there is better option than Vlasic.
Check in tomorrow
for a look at the Sharks goaltenders and coaching staff.
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