The San Jose Sharks entered the 2019-20 season with expectations of making a long playoff run -- or, at the very least, making the playoffs. Unfortunately, they were one of the seven clubs on the outside looking in at the 24-team 2020 postseason bubbles.
There is a lot of talent remaining on the roster, though the team said goodbye to franchise icon Joe Thornton this offseason. Here's what to expect heading into the 2020-21 campaign:
Big question: Is the window closed?
By any measure, last season was a disaster. The Sharks went from an appearance in the Western Conference finals to their lowest points percentage (.450) since 2002-03 -- and Ottawa owned their first-round draft pick, too! Coach Peter DeBoer was fired 23 games in, replaced by new head coach Bob Boughner. Injuries ravaged the lineup, while most of the healthy players saw their stats decline. They played bad defensively in front of putrid goaltending.
Is there any reason for hope in 2020-21? With better health, better team defense and a supporting cast that's a year older and better, maybe. But playing their first season since 2006 without either Joe Thornton or Joe Pavelski on the roster, it's worth asking if the Sharks' time as a contender is over.
Did realignment hurt or help?
Hurt. The Pacific Division only had one team (Vegas) you could pencil into the playoffs. The West has at least three, depending on your feelings about St. Louis. Under the new playoff alignment, that would leave one playoff spot open for the Sharks rather than having division seeding or the wild card in the Pacific.
Offseason comings and goings, plus the cap situation
Joe Thornton finally left the Bay Area, signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs to chase his first Stanley Cup. To help fill that void, San Jose brought back Patrick Marleau for a third stint with the team, needing 45 games to break Gordie Howe's all-time record (1,767). They made two trades with the Wild, acquiring forward Ryan Donato and goalie Devan Dubnyk, the latter of whom replaces Aaron Dell in their goalie tandem. The Sharks have just under $2.4 million in cap space open, per Cap Friendly.
Bold prediction
Erik Karlsson reminds us he's still Erik Karlsson. His first season in San Jose was limited by a groin injury. His second season was limited by the road back from that injury and, as we noted, playing for a terrible team. Reports are that Karlsson is in his best shape of his tenure in San Jose. He's still got something left ... and since he's in the second of an eight-year contract with the Sharks, they pray he does.
Breakout candidate: Timo Meier
Can someone re-breakout? Meier hit 30 goals in 2018-19, earning him a four-year contract extension worth $6 million annually. His regression last season was staggering, beginning with an awful start of four points in his first 15 games. He'll play top-line minutes with Logan Couture, and if the coaches can get him to utilize his size better, he can get back to those previous offensive levels.
Biggest strength: Karlsson and Burns
While Karlsson had a rough go in 2019-20, but Burns had one of those seasons that shook confidence in the trajectory of his career: One season after he was a Norris Trophy finalist, his offensive production cratered and he was a minus-22. Burns, 35, and Karlsson, 30, were seen as the foundation of this roster when GM Doug Wilson inked Karlsson to his long-term contract. If they're both going, that's two elite defensemen on ice for over two thirds of the game. If the Sharks are to amount to anything, that's what they need.
Biggest weakness: Goaltending
Dubnyk slumped to an .890 save percentage and a negative goals saved above average last season in 30 games, taking a leave from the Wild to support his family as his wife dealt with a medical concern. Even if he rebounds, the 34-year-old is two years removed from his last solid season. Martin Jones, the incumbent, is 62nd in the NHL in goals saved above average over the last two seasons.
Sharks in NHL Rank
No. 41: Brent Burns, D
No. 46: Erik Karlsson, D
Prospect perspective
Pipeline ranking: 25
Prospects in the top 100: No. 71 Ryan Merkley (D), No. 81 Thomas Bordeleau (C), No. 98 John Leonard (LW)
Fantasy facts to know
There doesn't appear to be a single hockey analyst or fan on the planet who doesn't believe Brent Burns is poised for a resurgence after posting a measly -- by his standards -- 45 points this past season. A top power-play staple and prolific shooter, Burns checks all the boxes in standard leagues, including blocked shots. He's worth early-round consideration in most fantasy drafts. The same goes for fellow defenseman Erik Karlsson, who can only benefit after a 10-month break from competitive action. Health should be of no issue for the former Norris Trophy winner this season round.
Up front, Ryan Donato -- acquired via trade with Minnesota this offseason -- is an intriguing fantasy candidate in deeper leagues. Tapped to skate on a top line with Logan Couture and Timo Meier, Donato is poised for his most productive season yet. Having demonstrated scoring flashes with both the Wild and Bruins in the past, the 24-year-old sports a high ceiling if he sticks within San Jose's top six. Winger Evander Kane also merits mentioning as the full fantasy package. Fourteen of Kane's team-leading 26 goals counted with the extra skater in 2019-20. Another prolific shooter, the 29-year-old favors a physical game, racking up hits and penalty minutes with regularity.
Between Martin Jones and Wild export Devan Dubnyk, the latter is favored to shine brighter in 2021. Dubnyk was great for a string of seasons in Minnesota before struggling last season, while Jones is a couple of years removed from performing consistently. Neither deserves a reach in most drafts, but Dubnyk merits grabbing as a bench option in deeper standard leagues before Jones. -- Victoria Matiash