The San Jose Sharks have decided to go in a direction that is just a bit out there. Joe Thornton was stripped of the “C” almost five years to the day that Patrick Marleau lost the “C”. Yes both of these players still play for the Sharks. Needless to say, I cannot remember this ever happening.
Safe to say, this summer has not been one to remember. Before the summer months came, there was blowing a 3-0 series lead to Los Angeles. Then there was the lack of any real free agent moves, other than John Scott. After that, there is the Raffi Torres setback and of course the fact that the “C” will have to be earned in training camp. It begs the question as to just what the heck will happen in San Jose this season? The answer is: who really knows?
Let’s list these headaches without being too heavy on the details.
San Jose Sharks Headaches
1. When the captaincy becomes something out of open mic night…..
Now this may not actually be the case but maybe it could be a good thing that a competition is needed for the “C”. After all, it seems management has their necks on the line so maybe the players should have a little more fight perhaps? Apparently, training camp will eventually sort this out. Part of me still wonders if it drags out even longer. Do one of the young guns steal it? Do the old guards win out? Does someone get traded? There are so many questions which mean likely measurable fantasy hockey impact. Again, it can go both ways but with San Jose not exactly improving, the way is more apt to go is down.
2. Raffi Torres has a significant infection in his leg.
It is a setback that no one really wanted to hear in San Jose but this does have a ripple effect for Sharks you may own. Raffi Torres really may mean a decent amount of points in the standings but may also mean points for some of your favorite Sharks. The bottom six in San Jose has John Scott as a guy with muscle who cannot play a lick of defense? Oh boy! That bottom six certainly looks a good bit more vulnerable now than it was expected to be. Maybe San Jose can find a patch of sorts because if they do not, players that normally are nice and cozy in the top six may have a little more responsibility.
3. Management, coaching, and oh that hot seat!
Yes it is just not clear at all as to what is going on with San Jose. They will need to make more adjustments with Torres out and then ultimately try to figure out if they actually want to go younger or not once and for all. The indecisiveness is eventually going to hurt fantasy values across the board the longer it keeps up. Playing games with your best players is just not going to help at this juncture. Then again, maybe that is the plan? Either way, expect the unexpected and hope the chaos doesn’t hurt who you own too much.
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Again, good luck because there is going to be a lot more to this as training camp approaches. It will not be dull in San Jose fantasy hockey fans. That is a given!
