That’s also presumably why you see someone like Jeff Blashill, who by all accounts is an astute hockey mind, unable to trust a player like Andreas Athanasiou despite mounds of evidence that he’s one of his best available options. Athanasiou’s "risky" playing style keeps him buried on the depth chart (not only was he relegated to a fourth line role, but he actually sat in favour of Steve Ott a couple of times to start the year). This presents a competitive advantage for teams that have been paying attention and are willing to break away from the mold of hockey conventions. The San Jose Sharks, for example, have shown no signs of slipping following their extended playoff run last Spring due in no small part to their ability to optimize their assets. By replacing noted defensive anchor Roman Polak with smooth-skating David Schlemko this summer, the Sharks don’t really appear to have a glaring weakness anywhere on their roster. Factor in that their fourth line is composed of Tommy Wingels, Melker Karlsson, and Matt Nieto, and they’re officially a nightmare for opponents to match up with because they don’t let up for the full 60 minutes.

1. QRTK-K2NF-T988 2. TF4T-74NT-8NH7

Hey guys

The Sharks will move their minor league Worcester franchise in Massachusetts to SAP Center for the 2015-16 season, this newspaper has learned. The team will play between 30 and 40 games in downtown San Jose, filling up currently vacant dates at the arena.

Kopitar is the most underrated center in the NHL. We see him all the time, unfortunately. ... Offensively, his strength presents a problem. If he gets speed coming through the neutral zone, he’s tough to contain. I try to push him to the outside as much as possible. More than anything you have to take away his space. You can’t let him get his eyes up. If you give him a second on the puck to look up, he’s going to find someone in a dangerous spot.

Anyone thinking of getting NHL GC live? I have a coupon for $25 off. Was thinking of getting it than found out its like $200 or something ridiculous. If you want it DM or something or i can leave it up here and it would be a first come first serve thing

Doug Wilson apparently told Todd McLellan three days after the season ended that the Sharks' bench boss was staying. Odd that there's been no announcement, but it sounds like there is a debate about assistant coaches. McLellan would fight hard for his guys, but the discussion appears to be about adding someone who had a lengthy NHL career.

National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman is slated to be in Glendale Monday to announce the NHL has reached tentative terms to sell the Phoenix Coyotes to an ownership group led by Greg Jamison. The move is a major step in Jamison’s bid to buy the Coyotes and keep them in Arizona. Bettman is slated to hold a press conference before the Phoenix Coyotes-Nashville Predators playoff game. He is expected to announce the Coyotes are no longer on the market and the league is finalizing a sale with Jamison. The NHL has owned the team since 2009. Jamison is the former CEO of the San Jose Sharks and is a minority owner of that franchise.

Shooting percentage is a shitty stat.

SanJoseSharksPR 11:21am via Web Former @SanJoseSharks captain @OwenNolan11 will be making an announcement regarding the future of his hockey career at HP on Tues. #buster