Come a Long Way

The San Jose Sharks off-season is one defined by a team that could be dramatically changed by just a few minor moves. However, instead of harping on the “inevitable” defenseman acquisition that the Sharks still need, let’s focus on an area that use to be their biggest weakness.

In the past the Sharks were a well-noted soft team. To fix that reputation/weakness they addressed the problem with players like Scott Parker, Jody Shelley, and Brad Staubitz.

For the first time in his entire tenure as GM, Doug Wilson didn’t feel the need to put a legitimate heavyweight enforcer like these players on the roster.

There are more than enough players willing to drop the gloves on this team: Ryane Clowe, Douglas Murray, Frazer McLaren, Scott Nichol, and the newly acquired Jamal Mayers.

However, the Sharks have always had players willing to drop the gloves. So what’s the difference?

It’s in the players that aren’t known for dropping the gloves.

Many of the skill players on this team don’t back down from confrontation. They defend their teammates and stand up for themselves on the ice. They aren’t the biggest or toughest players on the ice but don’t expect them to shy away from a physical game like teams in the past did.

When the Sharks had that softy reputation, they didn’t have players like that. They lacked players like Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle who are stars to this team yet aren’t afraid to get rough with opponents.

It’s all in the attitude. With no designated enforcer on the team, more emphasis is put on team toughness. There’s a sense of much more camaraderie with the current group of players in addition to that team toughness.

What if someone goes after Patrick Marleau in a lop-sided game?

In the past that situation would probably result in the team’s enforcer taking action later in the game during one of his 5-10 shifts. It’s not far-fetched to assume that if that were to happen now, Joe Thornton or Dany Heatley would be the ones stepping up for their linemate.

The lack of an enforcer also creates accountability for the players on the ice. Accountability is another area where the Sharks players have been criticized in the past. It appears to be less of an issue with each year, which is why Doug Wilson probably didn’t find it necessary to keep either Jody Shelley or Brad Staubitz around.

The Sharks still have their share of weaknesses to address, but team toughness is no longer one of them.