2007 NHL Season Preview: San Jose Sharks

When you asked a lot of experts about their picks for the Stanley Cup championship before last season, a fair amount of people would have probably mentioned the San Jose Sharks. When you are the youngest team in the league by average age, and the biggest team in terms of size, you are going to get a lot of those expectations. When you have the defending scoring champion and MVP and the Rocket Richard Trophy winner, it can only raise those expectations.

Heading into the postseason, you would have thought it was looking good for the team. Of course, another disappointing second-round exit has caused the franchise to make a decision as to whether to 'blow it all up' or to once again retool. They decided on the latter, and the team returns its core to the fold after getting long-term extensions to a majority of their young talent. But this team does have a lot more pressure to succeed on their shoulders.

They are in a community that is rabid about their hockey, even in the middle of sunny California. Some have gone as far as to dub them the "Ottawa Senators of the East," a reference to the Senators recent regular season success and inability to get to the Stanley Cup finals. However, if Ottawa could turn it around last season, there is hope that the Sharks can do the same. Will this finally be the year? Or is this team doomed to another disappointing finish to a season?

San Jose Sharks
2006 Record (W-L-OTL-PTS): 51-26-5-107; 2^nd in Pacific Division
2006 Postseason (if applicable): Lost in Western Conf. Semis (4-2 to Detroit)
Coach Name (record w/team): Ron Wilson; 157-99-19 (28 ties; .613)
Key Additions: C Jeremy Roenick (Phoenix)
Key Subtractions: G Vesa Toskala (Toronto); LW Mark Bell (Toronto); RW Bill Guerin (New York Islanders); D Scott Hannan (Colorado)