San Jose Sharks: 5 burning questions for 2018-19

The San Jose Sharks are expected to be a Stanley Cup Playoff contender again, but find out what adversity San Jose needs to overcome for the 2018-19 season.

For the third straight season, the San Jose Sharks finished in third place for the Western Conference’s Pacific Division and under the likes of head coach Peter DeBoer.

While the Teal recorded their first 100-point season in the league’s standings (45-27-10, 100 pts) since 2014, the Sharks were unable to capitalize on the successful campaign. San Jose was bounced from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, and it was apparent that the Sharks’ injuries and lack of starpower took a negative toll on their chances to make a deep run in the postseason.

Yes, San Jose is expected to be a playoff contender again, but here are five burning questions that the Sharks are facing entering 2018-19.

5. Do the forwards have to produce more?

Last season marked the second straight year that defenseman Brent Burns led the Sharks in scoring (12 goals, 55 assists), but it was also the first time since the shortened 2012-13 campaign that not one San Jose skater recorded 70 points in a season.

With that being said, the Teal didn’t have a single player finish in the league’s top 30 for scoring, either.

Joe Thornton’s limited role due to injuries clearly impacted the team’s offensive production, and the team is not only going to need a healthy Thornton in the lineup on a consistent basis next season, but San Jose could use additional scoring help up front with the offense.

Yes, forward Logan Couture had a career-high 34 goals last season, but can San Jose receive that type of goal-scoring next season from another forward and at the winger position?

While Couture can also play on the wing, the Teal’s top three goal-scorers from last season were all technically centers (Couture, Joe Pavelski & Tomas Hertl). The Sharks are in need of more scoring production from skaters such as Joonas Donskoi and youngster Timo Meier.

Let’s not forget that the Sharks are banking on their somewhat newest offensive threat to potentially take over the reigns as the team’s offensive leader. Forward Evander Kane was acquired at the 2018 NHL Trade Deadline and in 17 games proved that he could end up being a point-per-game skater with San Jose (nine goals, five assists).

Kane, 26, was re-signed this offseason to a seven-year deal, worth $49 million, and the winger could blossom into the new face of the franchise.