As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention -- either mathematically or by losing in the postseason -- we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2017-18, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction for what 2018-19 will hold.
What went wrong
The San Jose Sharks finished 45-27-10 (100 points) in the regular season, an improvement year to year. They averaged 3.01 goals per game, also an improvement. They swept the Anaheim Ducks out of the playoffs in a convincing first-round victory.
Sure, Joe Thornton was feeling his age, and the defense wasn't as sturdy as it was last season. But things were going pretty well ... until the Vegas Golden Knights happened.
What went wrong in the Sharks' season?
They had the misfortune of playing the league's unlikeliest juggernaut, whose speed and depth and Marc-Andre Fleury and general magic were simply too much for San Jose to overcome.
Keys to the offseason
1. Go get John Tavares.
If New York Islanders star John Tavares goes to market -- and there are increasing indications that might be the case -- the Sharks are going to be major players for him. They've been linked to Tavares since the trade deadline, viewing him as the elite center heir to Joe Thornton.
There's no question that acquiring Tavares would mean some interesting cap decisions down the line; Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski both hit unrestricted free agency in 2019, while Tomas Hertl will be a restricted free agent. But for next season, the Sharks would have the cap space to sign Tavares and would have an All-Star lineup with him -- especially if Thornton returns for another season.
2. Figure out Evander Kane.
Speaking of an All-Star team ... look, Evander Kane hasn't yet earned total trust that a long-term investment in him isn't going to be undermined by bad decisions off the ice.
But there's no question that, from a hockey perspective, he meshed well with the Sharks and performed well in the postseason (brief suspension aside). So if the price is right, and if general manager Doug Wilson believes the fit is right, this is an avenue to explore.
3. Keep infusing the roster with youth.
One of the more positive developments for the Sharks in the playoffs? That Timo Meier (age 21), Dylan DeMelo (25), Kevin Labanc (22) and Joakim Ryan (24) all saw regular ice time. The Sharks need that balance between their veteran big names and a wave of younger players in the lineup.
So, play these guys and find out what they have in Dylan Gambrell and Maxim Letunov. Wilson has overloaded the bottom-six forward group and the defensive depth with veteran ringers before. Let the kids have their chance.
Realistic expectation for 2018-19
The Stanley Cup window is very much open for the Sharks next season, even if they don't land a game-changing offseason prize such as Tavares.
The playoffs are expected. Challenging for a championship is a possibility. And then the salary cap and an aging core start to become a consideration in the summer of 2019.
Let's all agree on one thing: Hopefully, we get one more year of Jumbo and his magnificent beard.