Algebra 101: How high is Demers ceiling?

by SanFranciscoKnights on May 30, 2011 7:47 PM PDT

It is generally accepted by folks that the Sharks could use help on the defensive front. More specifically, a legitimate #2 defenseman with the ability to play stellar defense is lacking in the opinion of some. Fortunately, the Sharks have several young defensemen within the organization that are blooming in front of our eyes. One such defenseman is Jason Demers.

At the age of 22, Jason is still a puppy as far as defenseman years go. As a rookie two seasons ago, Demers posted 4 goals and 17 assists in 51 games, to go along with a +5 rating. This season, Jason notched 2 goals and 22 assists in addition to an impressive +19 rating in 75 games. Demers offensive upside was a well-known fact to many Sharks fans. However, his defensive strides from year 1 to 2 and beyond has been a wonderful development. Demers has emerged as a solid all around defenseman with physicality. Tip of the cap to Mr. Plank for posting this informative article outlining Demers impressive offseason regimen, ultimately contributing to his defensive improvements. ht tp://www.fearthefin.com/2010/11/17/1819431/sharks-defenseman-jason-demers-blossoming-in-2010

My question for the Sharks faithful is: Just how much room for improvement do you see in the future of our beloved Jason Demers? We all know he has the passion and drive to become the best he can be, but just how high is his ceiling? More specifically, can Jason fulfill the role of a top 2 defenseman, either to pair with Dan Boyle on the top line, or ultimately replace him once he decides to hang ‘em up?

Poll

Does Jason Demers have the potential to fill a top 2 defensive role on the San Jose Sharks?

Yes, he can fill that role in the upcoming season.

26 votes

Yes, but not for several years.

81 votes

No, Demers will never be a legitimate top 2 defenseman.

24 votes

131 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It seems like its generally best to pair puck movers (boyle, demers) with stoppers (vlassic, murray). There’s not really a need to play demers with boyle. boyle/vlassic, demers/white, braun/murray, should be fine.

Proud perpetrator of yelling "Money MIke" at Oracle Arena since Dunleavy's trade to the Pacers.

by 15ks on May 30, 2011 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

Pretty much this. Demers is developing beautifully, but likely hasn’t hit his cap yet. Even disregarding the pure point production, his +/- speaks for itself. However you generally wouldn’t pair him with Boyle, because he is developing in the Boyle mold, and you usually want to pair a puck moving offensive defenseman with a shut down defenseman, hence why he worked so well with Vlasic.

Vlasic is young too (only 2 years older than Demers) and is also still developing. It would be greatly in the Sharks interest to keep them paired together, because they play so well together and in a couple years will likely be the bonifide #1 and #2 material.

Part of the reason why he developed as he has (in my opinion) is simply playing on Boyle’s team, thus able to learn from him, kinda like how Cam Fowler likely would have been bumped to the minors for more development if he wasn’t pretty much living with Niedermayer.

by VVhirlwind on May 30, 2011 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

You make a really good point about the Demers/Vlasic pairing.

I bet they will make a really nice one-two punch as a top pairing in the future, and will only benefit growing together. But if Demers or Vlasic were ready next year to be a legit #2 defenseman next to Boyle, would it still be worth it to trade a valuable piece on the team in order to attain such a player via trade, at the cost of keeping them together?

by SanFranciscoKnights on May 31, 2011 12:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes

Because having 2 #2s is better than having only 1. No shit (hehe).

"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club

by Bockerz on May 31, 2011 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

lol, agreed.

But would you rather have two #2 defenseman at the cost of losing a pavs or seto?

by SanFranciscoKnights on Jun 1, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I only said “No shit” because I was mentioning #2’s, btw hehe.

See, I’m not so sure. Which is why I didn’t mention how we’d end up getting that #2 guy. I’m interested to see what sort of magic DW is going to do this offseason. He probably has the reputation of building a “good regular season team”, but frankly how the players play after the trade deadline is completely out of his hands. It wouldn’t surprise me if he pulled a solid move this summer, especially after sitting on his hands last year.

"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club

by Bockerz on Jun 1, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Ohhh now I see :P

I think the Sharks have been built to beat 95 percent of NHL teams, but not teams with elite speed including Chicago of last year and Vancouver. That’s why I hope Wallin will not be brought back, assuming Braun can step it up. With Vlasic and Demers continuously improving along with a full season for White, I think the D will be a lot more solid and can hang with aforementioned teams much more effectively.

by SanFranciscoKnights on Jun 2, 2011 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah bro, it just comes down to if they think Vlasic is ready to fill that void.

The defense will be better next season even if they don’t get an upgrade via trade or FA, just because they have guys that are getting better every day. I think White too will blossom with a full season as a Shark.

by SanFranciscoKnights on May 31, 2011 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I see no Algebra

You lied

I will not walk so that a child may live!
"Sometimes I feel like home runs aren’t hits," he said afterward. "But they are hits." -The genius who is in charge of our team.

by Briceratops on May 30, 2011 8:58 PM PDT reply actions

JD x XY = T2

If T2 = true then what is X if Y = years

by PBurr28 on May 30, 2011 9:09 PM PDT reply actions

X= # of games?

by Cloweture on Jun 9, 2011 6:10 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Demers needs one more season

And then he’s there. The injury that kept him on the shelf kept us from seeing everything he was capable of. If he’s going to be a true #2 or better, he needs to show durability, and that means logging 75-80 games. But otherwise, he has the natural tools and the work-ethic to be the Quarterback-type defenseman on this team. Combined with Vlasic’s development into a true stopper, and that can and should be a top pairing for many years to come.

GO SHARKS!

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.

by ElvisVF101 on May 31, 2011 11:07 AM PDT reply actions

A year, I think. Same with Vlasic. Imagine how great it’s going to be having those two in the prime of their career on the same pairing. Seabrook and Keith my ass.

"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Member of the Torrey Mitchell and Patrick Marleau Fan Club

by Bockerz on May 31, 2011 5:33 PM PDT reply actions

Your Algebra 101 question: Jason Demers, a San Jose Shark Defenseman...

was a 20 year old in his rookie year, posted 4 goals and 17 assists in 51 games, and a +5 rating. In his second year, he posted 2 goals and 22 assists in 71 games and had a +19 rating. Assuming he does not get hurt or traded and plays 71 games, and his rate of progression is consistent with his previous years, by the time he turns 24 will he have the numbers to be a top 2 d-man for the Sharks?

by mao2meow on May 31, 2011 11:56 PM PDT reply actions

One variable is missing in order to solve this equation. What are the (assumed) goals, assists and +\- needed to be a top-2 defenseman?

by JQ24 on Jun 1, 2011 8:19 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I absolutely love this kid, and he and Pickles are a fantastic young D-pair. If not for the two of them and Couture, the future would be looking pretty bleak in Sharks-land.

And to answer the question, in an ideal world, the Sharks pick up a legit #2 TWD to play with Boyle, like Brewer (I’ve posted a trade around Ryan Suter-Joe Pavelski at HF, which I think would be beneficial), then they have Demers-Vlasic as a shut-down pair, and then play Vlasic-Murray, Demers-Brewer/Suter/#2 on the PK.

Jason could become a #2 in the future, but certainly not now.

by Kojo on Jun 4, 2011 4:59 PM PDT reply actions