{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"Year in review","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/sharks-logo-jersey-gallery-ap.jpg","caption":"

For the San Jose Sharks, 2014 was, if anything, unique. There was the annual ritual of playoff failure -- but never like this -- that led into a multitude of offseason questions and speculation, mostly centered on team cornerstones Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. By the time the new season started, virtually the same cast of characters was back – and now, the Sharks look to be well on their way to an 11th straight playoff appearance as they close out December. Insider Kevin Kurz details the five most memorable Sharks moments from the calendar year.

"},{"index":3,"title":"No. 5: Tomas Hertl makes surprising return after serious knee injury","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/hertl-tomas-sharks-celebrate-gallery-ap.jpg","caption":"

Tomas Hertl appeared to be done for the season after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Dustin Brown last December, requiring surgery to repair torn ligaments. Instead, the electrifying rookie made his return to the Sharks lineup for the final two games of the regular season and all seven playoff games. Although he wasn’t at 100 percent, Hertl’s return was an encouraging sign and brought some excitement to the upcoming playoff run – before it was cut short, of course. -- Kevin Kurz

"},{"index":5,"title":"No. 4: Sharks awarded an outdoor game","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/levis-nhl-stadium-series-gallery-ap.jpg","caption":"

The Sharks getting an outdoor game wasn’t a very well kept secret -- we broke the news here months earlier -- but the fan base got a jolt when the NHL awarded the only outdoor game this season not named the Winter Classic would be at new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Feb. 21. Weeks later, the league revealed that the Sharks would also be part of a behind-the-scenes series in the weeks leading up to the game, giving viewers a unique look at what goes on behind closed doors. Although the league dropped the ball on the lame design of the sweaters that will be worn for the game, the Sharks and Kings renewing their rivalry outdoors under the lights is something to look forward to in the New Year. -- Kevin Kurz

"},{"index":7,"title":"No. 3: Wilson announces Boyle won't be back","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/boyle-dan-sharks-head-gallery-usatsi.jpg","caption":"

The Sharks general manager’s hands were tied in the offseason due to the many no-trade clauses that his players have in their contracts, but he was still able to make a few changes. No one shed any tears when it was announced that Marty Havlat would be shown the door, but when Wilson revealed on May 15 that Dan Boyle would not be back, it touched an emotional nerve with many fans. Boyle, a mainstay on the blue line for six productive seasons and almost always willing to speak his mind, was arguably the best defenseman in Sharks franchise history. Boyle’s rights were eventually traded to the Islanders, but he chose to sign as a free agent with the New York Rangers. He’s scheduled to return to SAP Center early in the New Year on Jan. 10. -- Kevin Kurz

"},{"index":9,"title":"No. 2: Joe Thornton stripped of captaincy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/thornton-joe-sad-gallery-usatsi.jpg","caption":"

The most significant response to the playoff collapse was a symbolical one, as the club decided to officially end Thornton’s run as captain after four seasons on Aug. 20. Team management publicly questioned Thornton’s leadership of the club after the loss to the Kings, but the 35-year-old center decided he wanted to stay in San Jose anyway after signing a team-friendly three-year contract extension last January. Ultimately, Thornton would be one of four players named as rotating alternating captains for the new season, and his play has remained at an elite level despite him no longer being viewed internally as the face of the franchise. -- Kevin Kurz

"},{"index":11,"title":"No. 1: Sharks blow 3-0 first round lead to Kings","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/bayarea/2014/12/29/sharks-kings-bad-gallery-ap.jpg","caption":"

It was a collapse of historic proportions. The Sharks became just the fourth team in NHL history to win the first three games of a best-of-seven series, only to lose it in seven games. Adding insult to injury, the rival Los Angeles Kings went on to win their second Stanley Cup in the last three seasons, while the Sharks scrambled to figure out just what went wrong -- again. The organization as a whole still seems to be feeling the effects of the collapse, too, as the Sharks have struggled to sell out games at SAP Center in the 2014-15 season for the first time in several years. -- Kevin Kurz

"}]}

Sharks' Top 5 moments of 2014