8. San Jose Sharks
And now we come to the dregs of the Pacific Division. San Jose is a complete dumpster fire – so much so that I don’t know how new GM Mike Grier won’t become an alcoholic over his tenure.
This is a team that is hamstrung so badly by bad contracts that they may not be able to retain their own prospects by the time their ELCs are up. They had to trade away Brent Burns and a bottom six forward to another team in exchange for a third round pick and two prospects just to be cap compliant. For San Jose, the rumoured $4 million increase in the cap two seasons from now can’t come soon enough.
To give you an idea of how bad this team is, Erik Karlsson – a defenceman – is their top scorer right now. That’s right, a blueliner is their top scorer right now. Normally I’d go through the lines but I don’t even think that’s worth it. Their problems are just getting started.
Timo Meier – who plays on the first line and has 11 points in 14 games – has a contract that’s up and frankly I wouldn’t hold my breath that he comes back. Tomas Hertl has had a decent start to the season also with 11 points 14 games. Logan Couture has eight points in 14 games. That’s about it for scoring of note.
Oh, did I mention Couture is 33 and signed for another four seasons after this one at $8 million a season? Ouch. At least he’s still relevant now, something you can’t say for any of their blueliners other than Erik Karlsson. Pickleman Marc-Edourd Vlasic isn’t producing offence, and these days his own zone play has dropped off pretty badly too – and he’s signed for $7 million for another three seasons past this one. Charming…..
As for the goalies, 34 year old James Reimer is somehow managing to be an average goalie backstopping this team, with a .910 sv% and a 2.88 GAA. Can’t say the same for Kaapo Kahkonen, who is posting an .878 sv% and 3.62 GAA, but I’m much more certain that his results are only a byproduct of the lousy team in front of him.
This is a team paying a bottom pairing d-man – Matt Benning – to play in the top four for them. I’m not making this up…ouch.