Sharks Analysis: Couture Out
Posted 1:37 PM ET | Comments 0
Recent developments on Logan Couture have Shark fans and fantasy owners cringing. He has a fractured fibula ( broken leg), which will have him out for an estimated 4-6 weeks.
This is terrible news for the Sharks, as they are rolling with four straight wins. He has just one point in 3 games, but is one of their key weapons. He typically plays on a second line with Patrick Marleau, which creates serious scoring depth for the squad. Last season alone, Logan Couture put up 67 points which put him second in Sharks scoring, behind only Joe Pavelski
With this loss, the Sharks are going to need a serious shake up with their lines. Moving Marleau up to the first line with Thornton and Pavelski is an option, but that would leave the second line in a tough position. On the other hand, the Sharks are not going to get good production from Marleau if he cannot find chemistry with his new linemate(s). Whatever they do, it will take some time to work out any kinks.
The coaching staff will have some serious decisions to make. After speaking to some Shark followers, it is clear that many people believe that the second line will consist of Hertl, centering Marleau and Joel Ward. At just 21, Hertl looks like he is poised to explode offensively. He already has 2 goals and an assist thus far, but he will be tested by this major loss. Joel Ward finds himself in a tough position as well; he has had a good career, but finds himself on a new team surrounded by new players. He has 3 points already, and will be expected to continue this production. He will never be able to "replace" Couture, but he will need to consistently produce if the Sharks want to maintain their winning ways.
Nevertheless, the team is not in an awful position. The loss is huge, but not insurmountable for the rejuvenated Sharks. The top line has been dominant, led by new captain; Joe Pavelski. He and Joe Thorton have great chemistry, which is always evident in their play. Thorton is a natural play maker, while Pavelski is an absolute horse in all zones. His work ethic is unmatched, and his offensive game has been impressive. Few players put as many pucks on net as this guy. Last year Pavelski exploded with 37 goals on 261 shots. The team did not do well, but this year looks much different.
They have a solid group of young players, a new goalie, and a deep defense core. I would like to address a fairly unknown player. Nikolai Goldobin is a Russian winger selected in 2014, 27th overall by the Sharks. He saw minutes with the top line in his first game played. He did not produce much, but he has the skills to flourish. He is a very offensively gifted player, but struggles against larger defenders. Long time veterans, Pavelski and Thorton may be the best duo for this kid to start with, as they are no strangers to the biggest, baddest defenders in the West. Goldobin may or may not thrive in the NHL this year, but this is a very important part of his development. If he cannot find chemistry with the top line, the Sharks may need to dip into the bottom two lines in search of a new winger.
All in all, I believe this will be a good test for the Sharks. Every team faces adversity at some point during the season. If the Sharks want to prove themselves in the West, they will need to weather this storm and continue to play good hockey. If they revert back to their old ways, this will be a tough stretch of hockey for the unbeaten Sharks. They have some big games coming up, a lot of which are against good teams. They play the Islanders and Rangers next, which will test the depth of the team. Both of these teams are very deep offensively and defensively. I expect this month to be a good indicator of the Sharks resiliency. If they cannot stay competitive, they could miss out on some important points. Unfortunately, even a few weeks of poor hockey can cost a team a playoff position.
This is terrible news for the Sharks, as they are rolling with four straight wins. He has just one point in 3 games, but is one of their key weapons. He typically plays on a second line with Patrick Marleau, which creates serious scoring depth for the squad. Last season alone, Logan Couture put up 67 points which put him second in Sharks scoring, behind only Joe Pavelski
With this loss, the Sharks are going to need a serious shake up with their lines. Moving Marleau up to the first line with Thornton and Pavelski is an option, but that would leave the second line in a tough position. On the other hand, the Sharks are not going to get good production from Marleau if he cannot find chemistry with his new linemate(s). Whatever they do, it will take some time to work out any kinks.
The coaching staff will have some serious decisions to make. After speaking to some Shark followers, it is clear that many people believe that the second line will consist of Hertl, centering Marleau and Joel Ward. At just 21, Hertl looks like he is poised to explode offensively. He already has 2 goals and an assist thus far, but he will be tested by this major loss. Joel Ward finds himself in a tough position as well; he has had a good career, but finds himself on a new team surrounded by new players. He has 3 points already, and will be expected to continue this production. He will never be able to "replace" Couture, but he will need to consistently produce if the Sharks want to maintain their winning ways.
Nevertheless, the team is not in an awful position. The loss is huge, but not insurmountable for the rejuvenated Sharks. The top line has been dominant, led by new captain; Joe Pavelski. He and Joe Thorton have great chemistry, which is always evident in their play. Thorton is a natural play maker, while Pavelski is an absolute horse in all zones. His work ethic is unmatched, and his offensive game has been impressive. Few players put as many pucks on net as this guy. Last year Pavelski exploded with 37 goals on 261 shots. The team did not do well, but this year looks much different.
They have a solid group of young players, a new goalie, and a deep defense core. I would like to address a fairly unknown player. Nikolai Goldobin is a Russian winger selected in 2014, 27th overall by the Sharks. He saw minutes with the top line in his first game played. He did not produce much, but he has the skills to flourish. He is a very offensively gifted player, but struggles against larger defenders. Long time veterans, Pavelski and Thorton may be the best duo for this kid to start with, as they are no strangers to the biggest, baddest defenders in the West. Goldobin may or may not thrive in the NHL this year, but this is a very important part of his development. If he cannot find chemistry with the top line, the Sharks may need to dip into the bottom two lines in search of a new winger.
All in all, I believe this will be a good test for the Sharks. Every team faces adversity at some point during the season. If the Sharks want to prove themselves in the West, they will need to weather this storm and continue to play good hockey. If they revert back to their old ways, this will be a tough stretch of hockey for the unbeaten Sharks. They have some big games coming up, a lot of which are against good teams. They play the Islanders and Rangers next, which will test the depth of the team. Both of these teams are very deep offensively and defensively. I expect this month to be a good indicator of the Sharks resiliency. If they cannot stay competitive, they could miss out on some important points. Unfortunately, even a few weeks of poor hockey can cost a team a playoff position.