The Sharks' season didn't go the way many inside the organization likely hoped. Even as expectations were tempered following a very disappointing 2019-20 campaign, the Sharks missed out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight year.
Coach Bob Boughner knows there are positives he and the coaching staff can take away from the campaign, but stressed in his exit interview Thursday that he must continue to harp on the responsibilities of each individual player, no matter their stature.
"Moving forward, just holding a hard line and holding guys accountable, because there were times this year where we made our decision and held guys accountable, but that still is an area that I think any coach would say is a fine line. You wanna hold everybody to the same standard, which we do.
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"That has to go for your best players as well, and there can't be any blurred lines there."
Boughner didn't single out any particular player, but clearly felt the team ran into issues with accountability this past season.
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The Sharks were handed some adversity early in the season as well, as the roster was forced to conduct training camp from Arizona and play its first month of games away from San Jose due to COVID-19 restrictions.
San Jose Sharks
The hope is that the development that began this season with many of the team's prospects pays off and the Sharks find themselves higher in the standings next season.
Accountability from the top players down appears to be a priority for Boughner and his staff going into next season.