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I'll admit, this time last year I had my of questions about Todd McLellan and the Sharks' chances to ever compete for the Cup under his reign.

These doubts, I felt, were justified. Since the lockout, the Sharks never looked as weak in a playoff series loss as they did against the Ducks. We blamed Hiller, Pronger and Getzlaf. We blamed Nabokov, Thornton and Pavelski. We blamed Todd McLellan and his staff for not having a good game plan till it was too late. In my mind, McLellan was the most to blame. If Sharks fired Ron Wilson for being unable to take the team past the second round since the lockout, shouldn't we have been concerned that under McLellan the Sharks took it one step further and lost in the first round? Worse, they lost to a team that was within one missed penalty shot from missing the playoffs altogether.

But last season erased my doubts. I still feel the same way I felt a year ago about that most painful playoff loss to our biggest rival. But it was what lessons McLellan learned from it and how he changed his approach that has me believing he is the right man for this job at this time. During last season, he improved the Sharks in the following 5 areas. 

1. Rebounding After Losses. Remember that dreaded feeling after Game 1 of the Colorado Avalanche series? The Sharks didn't play well, as it all ended with a strange goal in the last two minutes. We all thought, "please, not again" thinking back to how lost the Sharks looked against the Ducks the year before. What was even more frightening was the trap that Joe Sacco designed to limit the chances the Sharks had in that game. More than anything else, Sacco had a better game plan. But McLellan was not as concerned and he went back to the video room to come up with answers to avoid the trap. After the heroics of Game 2, and the strangest playoffs game in recent history Game 3 (cough, Dan Boyle, cough), McLellan designed a way to break the trap. The Sharks found a way to overcome and advance to the next round. As much as we love crediting Joe Pavelski as the main hero in that series, Todd McLellan's plan was just as important. 

2. Peaking at the Right Time. The NHL season is long and hard. Playoffs come after playing 82 games in seven months. On top of that, Sharks travel more than most teams in the NHL. The season before, I had my questions about how McLellan handled the season's workload. The team came out firing on all cylinders and was close to reaching the record for most wins to start a season. Then came the injuries, and the team started to slide. They slid so far that going into the playoffs, we all had serious doubts about how they'd play. This was not the case this year. McLellan knew how to manage his players - whether it was Rob Blake taking time off, or Scott Nichol and Manny Malhotra looking fresh and rested in the playoffs. Generally speaking, the team was in a much better position mentally and physically going into the playoffs. They played so well in the final two weeks of the regular season that we couldn't wait till playoffs. Neither could the team - and it showed. They played a desperate kind of hockey because they knew the moment arrived. McLellan trained them well on when to feel desperate. 

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Every year it seems as if there is a rumbling for ways to make the game more exciting by increasing scoring throughout the course of the game. It's a common thread of discussion within NHL circles, and one that receives a fair amount of discussion during the summer months as fans and league officials are removed from the grueling nine-month season.

We'll have much more later this summer on various ways to change the game for the better-- no touch icing, removing the trapezoid, abolishing the shootout, among others-- but today let's look at a quick change that could accomplish the stated goal of generating more goals.

Coming out of the NHL Lockout, the League changed a lot of rules in order to open up the game. The two-line pass was allowed to occur, opening up the neutral zone and giving defenseman an opportunity to make a pass deep in their own zone up to a streaking forward heading toward the opponent's net. Hooking and holding were set to be enforced with much more zeal, giving skilled players a break from the waterskiiing days of the 1990's when big and slow blueliners were able to essentially bear hug the Joe Sakic's of the League in order to slow them down. The neutral zone was also reduced in size from fifty four feet to an even fifty, increasing the amount of ice available for teams in the offensive zone.

Since then there has been numerous other proposals to increase scoring at an even greater rate. Ideas such as widening the nets, restricting goaltending pads to an even greater degree (post-lockout they were reduced, and will be again next season), and increasing the width of the ice from 85 feet to something approaching the international regulation size of 98 feet are some of the more notable proposals to find their way into the media and blogs across North America.

However, one change that never seems to get much publicity is one which is an extremely simple one to implement.

Switching the benches that each team begins the game on.

Since the NHL Lockout there have been five NHL seasons, providing us a good sample size to see league-wide scoring trends on a period by period basis. And for all years except for one, the scoring totals in the second period have been the highest in respect to their first and third period counterparts:

A quick and dirty look at what could be causing this ultimately leads me to pin it on the long change that occurs during the second period. In other words, the fact that the benches are near the offensive zone instead of the defensive zone makes it much more difficult for teams to get their blueliners off for changes due to the fact they must skate all the way down the ice. This restricts the amount of time they have to change during a loose puck battle in the neutral zone-- while the near-side defenseman could get off quickly with the benches closer to him, allowing a fresh teammate to take his place in the span of a few seconds, the risks associated with leaving your team subject to an odd-man rush are much more pronounced with the benches at least twenty five feet away.

The same goes for forwards attempting to change, as well as the fact that this could be a cause for more icings as teams desperately try to clear the zone. I don't have the data handy to back up this assertion, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a slight increase in minor penalties during the second period either, as players lose the gas in their legs and turn to hooks and holds to keep opposing forwards at bay.

As far as I can see, there are no drawbacks to this proposal—hockey purists will likely find little fault in a mere change of the benches both teams occupy during the game, and those who wish to see an increase in scoring will be thrilled to see a better opportunity for teams to put the puck in the back of the net.

From a business standpoint, there is no drawback either. Season ticket holders who hold seats in front of the net where the home team attacks twice won’t be affected either, as the bench switch will not change that aspect of their own experience. The only drawback I see is one for Bad Boys Bail Bonds— during the 2009-2010 season they had seats behind the Sharks home bench, with individuals who purchased those seats being required to wear the company’s apparel. After this change, Bad Boys would only have one period with Todd McLellan and his team behind them.

Small price to pay, I’d say.

Go Sharks.

Depth at the center position has always been one of the strengths of the Sharks system, but with the majority of the Sharks high round picks being used on defensive prospects in the past few years and the team’s top center prospects graduating to the NHL recently, the depth of the pivot position in the lower levels has slightly deteriorated. In fact, with much of the possible center talent moving to the wing position (McGinn, Ferriero, and possibly even Couture), the cupboard appears to be much more bare than it has in recent years.

However, the top of the Sharks depth chart in terms of talent is very strong, with three players capable of playing top-six minutes at the NHL level. Joe Thornton remains one of the game’s elite playmakers, third in points/game during the regular season since the NHL lockout during 2005-- only Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have produced at a higher clip than Thornton, and with a strong postseason run under his belt during 2010, it's hard to envision a situation where he wouldn't continue to set the table during 2010-2011. The fact that Thornton is headed into a contract year should also provide enough motivation to stay in the top five of point producing centers, especially when one considers he will be playing alongside Dany Heatley.

Joe Pavelski had a breakout postseason during 2010, posting a point per game pace and showing up on nearly every early Conn Smythe Watch list available on the internet. No individual was better during the Sharks series' against Colorado and Detroit as Pavelski essentially put the team on his back and carried them with three game winners, and a game tying goal in game two against the Avalanche during the final seconds of the third period. He has matured into a solid two way center, with the aforementioned postseason heroics making him a guaranteed RFA signing and a vital member of the organization's future. Many expect the contract to come at a cap hit of anywhere from $3.5 M – $4.5M, which is well deserved and should be the first priority for Doug Wilson this summer.

Sitting third on our depth chart is Logan Couture, the top prospect in the Sharks system. After a short stint in San Jose earlier in the season, Couture racked up points in the AHL and continued to do so in his subsequent call up to the NHL club. He possesses dynamic hands, a solid net presence with an ability to deflect shots from the point, great vision, and a tireless work ethic in the corners. Couture showed late in the season and into the playoffs why he is such a highly touted prospect, and has effectively played his final game in the AHL. He is a lock to make the team out of camp next year, and has made the case that top-six minutes (possibly on the wing considering the great players San Jose possesses at the top of the center depth chart) are in his immediate future.

All three of these players are similar in terms of playing style, with both of them billed primarily as past first players. However, both Couture and Pavelski have shaken that label somewhat as their careers have progressed. Couture and Pavelski are also both capable two way players, and it’s entirely likely that Couture will be leaned upon to play at least a minute per game shorthanded as he becomes more comfortable at the NHL level.

The problem with the Sharks top-end depth is that it forces them to waste talent if the three aforementioned players all play their natural position. It would relegate Couture to third line duties, and although Couture showed that he was capable in that role, it’s not the best situation for a player with his offensive gifts. His talent is too significant to let toil on the third line during the majority of next year if he continues to progress as we expect the young 21 year old to do. As line combinations shifted in the Chicago series Couture found himself next to Joe Thornton, scoring the first goal in game four and continuing to drive the play in the right direction. It is a nice problem to have however, and allows Wilson more flexibility when examining the strengths and weaknesses of his current lineup.

By moving Couture to the wing (which is a possibility considering Patrick Marleau's impending free agency), the Sharks could look to Torrey Mitchell to serve as the third line pivot. Although Mitchell did improve as the year wore on, his troubles in the faceoff circle and lack of size make him a less than ideal candidate to take over the role full time. In addition, Mitchell played much of his time on the wing this year, and moving him back to center is something Fear The Fin would frown upon at this juncture.

The talent pool gets thinner from there-- both Manny Malhotra and Scott Nichol are UFA’s, and Malhotra will likely require more than the $700,000 he was paid this season to return to the team. Our estimates peg him around the $2.0 M he was offered on the open market last season by Atlanta, a deal he proved he deserved with a strong regular season. Considering the fact that he has just turned 30 years old, Malhotra wlll likely be looking for a multi-year deal and one last big payday before losing effectiveness due to an increasing age.

Steven Zalewski is next on our depth chart for potential San Jose Sharks. The 23 year old was second on the Worcester Sharks in points in 2009-2010, but his lack of size and experience indicates that he may not be a perfect fit in a full time role. Although he boasts solid two way instincts, Zalewski would benefit from another year in the minor leagues– he looked out of place while at the NHL level during his three game stint, and with the Sharks gearing up for another season filled with high expectations, it's likely his services will not be needed during opening day.

As far as upcoming draft strategy is concerned, the Sharks won’t be able to fill any immediate holes with their pick this year (it’s unlikely that they’d be able to do so with any positional need, considering their low draft position in the first round). Although San Jose does lack a premier player in the lower levels who is a surefire top-six candidate in the future, the long term draft strategy will likely be the same-- both the 25 year old Pavelski and the 21 year old Couture are capable of playing the position for years to come, and individuals such as Tommy Wingels, Justin Daniels, and Marek Viedensky have shown promise alongside the aforementioned Ferriero and Zalewski.

Go Sharks.

Ice time.

It is a coach's greatest tool to send a message, to make a point. And whether that statement is made in order to elevate the performance of an individual player, the team as a whole, or both, it always has the potential to serve as a wake up call.

In a 4-1 win against the Minnesota Wild last night, Joe Thornton was relegated to the third line with wingers Torrey Mitchell and Ryane Clowe, a far cry from the premier goal scorers of Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau that he has spent a notable portion of the year with. And as Ivano mentioned in last night's recap, Thornton saw a huge decrease in his even strength time because of it.

What interested me however, was the amount of shorthanded time McLellan divvied out to the All-Star centerman. Throughout the course of the last six games, Thornton's ice time has shown some interesting trends:

Up until last night Thornton's even strength ice had remained relatively stable in comparison to his forward counterparts-- the same can be said for his shorthanded ice time. But against Minnesota, McLellan drastically reduced the amount of time he spent on the ice at even strength and tapped him an inordinate amount while on the penalty kill.

Taken as a snapshot these numbers can be fairly deceiving-- one of San Jose's best penalty killers in Scott Nichol was out of the lineup, and Jed Ortmeyer was just coming back from injury. Todd McLellan has historically eased players back into their shorthanded roles, and this may account for the amount of time Thornton saw on the kill.

But coupled with his decreased even strength time over the last three games, I think a case could be made that McLellan was attempting to send a message through his star player. In fact, it may not have even been solely for Thornton alone-- the team as a whole has had a hard time performing defensively this season, and this allocation of ice time could serve as a canvass for McLellan to paint the picture that, "Hey, everyone is accountable here. We need to get better in our own zone, and that starts with our top-end offensive players."

As it should. And as it will, if San Jose is going build upon last night's win as they make their way towards April.

Go Sharks.

With the Sharks on the heels of one of the worst regulation losing streaks since 1997, Ryane Clowe has managed to establish himself as a one of the few bright spots San Jose has to offer.

Which isn't saying much. But at this point, we'll take what we can get.

Labeled by this author as a prime trade target for a San Jose Sharks deadline deal that never occurred, Ryane Clowe has managed to establish himself as one of the better players over the course of this post-Olympic drought that the Sharks have managed to slip into. And although the jury is still out on whether or not he can continue to produce at a sufficient level throughout the final days of the regular season considering his history of being a notoriously streaky player, he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.

A defining moment came in the second period against Vancouver, when Clowe took a Joe Pavelski outlet pass and blew past former-Shark Christian Ehrhoff "as if it was a pick up game somewhere in Frankfurt" according to Fear The Fin author Ivan Makarov. It was a power move that the fanbase hadn't seen since the glory days of future Hall of Famer Steve Bernier*, and one that they had been waiting for Clowe to exhibit during the better part of this year.

*Credentials pending.

Clowe has been excellent on the low cycle lately, and admittedly has been for awhile now, using his 6'2 225 pound frame to protect the puck and generate a consistent flow to the Sharks offensive zone control. It has helped to stop the bleeding of a team that has had an issue with turnovers, while also lending a hand to generating some scoring opportunities as the main well has dried up.

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To be quite honest, this is a useless endeavor. You cannot get worse than losing to Edmonton following porous after porous performances after the Olympic Break. The Sharks as a whole have hit rock bottom at this point, and anything from here on out is just a situation where you have begun to coast along a plateau of pain.

It has crossed the threshold from concerning to the absurd.

Nay.

It has leaped off that precipice. And like lemmings to the sea, the city of San Jose has followed suit.

The way this team is constructed puts a heavy emphasis on the system. Cutting backdoor in the offensive zone, far-side wingers generating speed in the neutral zone, making sure the forwards are working hard to open a passing lane between the circles to receive a breakout pass in the defensive zone, winning puck battles along the boards, all of these comprise facets of this system. And the Sharks are going to live and die by that system.

There's a lack of dynamic puck handling in close quarters, a lack of creativity with the puck. The San Jose Sharks are composed primarily of North American players, guys who were raised on the bread and butter of a north-south game. Dump the puck in deep, retrieve, bodies in front of the net, get the puck to the point, shot through traffic. It's not a flaw necessarily-- rather, when things are going as bad as they are right now, it's an indication that there is an execution issue within this framework. They really don't have a guy, besides Marleau and Boyle to some degree, who can go coast to coast and put Patrick Roy's jockstrap in the rafters.

When you don't have traffic in front of the net, those point shots are useless. When your defenseman can't get shots through traffic, there's no need for bodies in front of the net. When you're not generating speed through the neutral zone, you're content with dumping pucks in and consequently getting beat to those loose pucks. When you don't have a defenseman who can make a consistent breakout pass, you're not generating speed in the neutral zone. When your forwards aren't skating in the defensive zone, defenseman are forced to chip the puck out.

It runs the gamut from top to bottom, these issues.

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Courtesy of Timothy Tam.

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Spoke to Sharks front office source two hours ago and they said it was pretty quiet for them after making Wallin deal. They like their kids pushing in Demers and Couture, etc... I suspect they might do something if it's a great bargain but otherwise stay put.

Pierre LeBrun, ESPN

And so that's what happened. Doug Wilson couldn't find a great bargain (in a day that few teams could), and chose to stick with his team. 

However, one pre-deadline deal that the Sharks did make changed the landscape of the team. By moving Jody Shelley for a conditional draft pick, the Sharks freed up enough roster space to carry prospects Jamie McGinn, Logan Couture, Jason Demers and others.

We've discussed Couture and Jamie McGinn as the season has progressed. Plank presented our optimal line combinations Wednesday, and you'll notice that the third line includes both McGinn and Couture. That combination seems even more likely now, with Nichol suffering what looked like a troubling shoulder injury at the hands (and stick) of Maxim Lapierre. Until he returns to the lineup, it's a perfect time for Couture and McGinn to prove themselves.

It's not just that we're high on these players, but it's also reflective of the talent they've shown in both the AHL and NHL levels. McGinn would likely have close to 20 goals with consistent line mates and the ability to practice with the NHL club. Couture, who has admittedly less NHL experience to back up our assessment, impressed us in training camp, and is one of the top scoring rookies in the AHL (48 P in 37 GP). At that pace, he'd have scored 77 points in 60 AHL games, which would be good for third in that league.

I'm not saying that it's a guarantee that Couture would have played 60 games as a better than a point per game player. What I am saying is that his play in the AHL is deserving of an NHL roster spot. Once there, he and McGinn could change the perspective of Sharks fans going forward.

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Maybe the price wasn't right. Maybe Doug Wilson felt as if his team was as good as it was going to get. Maybe the fact that San Jose was at the upper limit of the salary cap hampered any potential move.

Whatever the case, the San Jose Sharks will enter the stretch run with the same roster they had yesterday.

Fear The Fin has advocated picking up a defenseman for the better part of the year. It is an issue for the team that I would have liked to have seen addressed as Evgeni Nabokov, in the midst of a Vezina-caliber season, has masked a lot of issues surrounding the unit as a whole. And with a poor Olympic outing from Nabokov now being thrown into the mix with his career playoff numbers, there is the distinct possibility that his play may not reach the level it was at before the break.

That being said, the team is still one of the favorites to make some noise in the Western Conference. As they were last season, as they have been since the lockout. A revamped third and fourth lines have done a good job of establishing a rhythm to the Sharks game, and has vastly improved the ability for role players to make an impact on games. Dany Heatley is a premier goal scorer who needs no introduction. Although Wilson did not make a splash today, the team is vastly different than the one who took the ice in April of last season.

And they are likely better.

The concerns are still there however; Niclas Wallin, brought in before the February trade freeze, does not seem to be the answer that can slide into the top four when Marc-Edouard Vlasic is healthy. The secondary scoring is still a potential issue, and although it has improved since I discussed it earlier this season, there is no telling how it will handle the rigors of playoff hockey when the skill level is much higher across the board.

San Jose has a .500 record against Western Conference playoff teams this season, discluding games that go the skills competition. That is an issue, and one that can no longer be addressed by bringing in non-organizational assets.

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