The best part about the current Sharks’ season is that they officially can move on from last season.
This time around, the team, and fans are praying for a bounce back season. That’s exactly what Sharks announcer Bret Hedican hopes for too.
“All four legs of the stool if you will,” Hedican told Carolina Hurricanes announcer and former pro goalie Tripp Tracy on the 'Digging in with Tripp' podcast. “Coaching staff, goaltending, defensemen and forwards, all of them can get better this year and I think if there’s one team that really wants to prove and have a bounce back year, it’s the San Jose Sharks.”
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Goaltending was a big issue last year, so the Sharks made sure to address it and brought Devan Dubnyk in to help. His 6-foot-6 frame alone makes the net look small, and he also hopes to redeem himself after a tough year with the Minnesota Wild where he had an .892 save percentage, allowing 27 goals in 30 games.
The success on the defensive side is imperative for the Sharks to have even an honest chance at the playoffs. That has to come down to the production of Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns. When they’re on it, they could be the reason San Jose enters the win column.
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“They have all the tools, when you think of what they have on defense even, Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and [Marc-Edouard] Vlasic,” Hedican added. “Just those three guys alone is something to build upon.”
San Jose Sharks
Hedican believes in the West Division belongs to the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche, but the Sharks could easily take ahold of one of the other open playoff spots available.
Check out the "Digging in with Tripp" podcast here.