Erik Karlsson (left) and Brent Burns form the most imposing blue line tandem in the NHL.
SAN JOSE — The Sharks enter their 2019-20 season with a similar team that played in Game 6 of the 2019 Western Conference Finals. Although some key pieces are gone — hello, Joe Pavelski — most of the core remains.
In this three-part series, we’ll analyze different aspects of the team, examining whether general manager Doug Wilson has done enough to address the issues in each area.
Today’s focus: defense
Erik Karlsson: The Swedish star defender didn’t have a dream start to his career as a Shark. Injuries plagued his first season in teal, leaving many Sharks fans wondering if he would ever return to his Norris Trophy winning form. Although Karlsson never looked fully healthy for an extended period of time, his creative ability (particularly his ability to move the puck out of the defensive zone) was undeniable. Karlsson’s advanced stats show that he was a great player despite his injury.
There is a statistic called Corsi For (CF%) that aims to explain how often a player’s team possesses the puck when he is on the ice. Karlsson led the Sharks in this statistic. In other words, the Sharks were more offensive when Karlsson was on the ice than any other Shark. He drove the team’s offense more than any other player, and he did it all while his groin was in tatters.
Sharks fans will of course remember the Vegas series in which Karlsson’s defense and abilities were openly questioned. Although he wasn’t up to his own standards in this series, it’s important to remember that he was trying to play at the highest level of his sport with a groin injury. It’s a very important body part in skating, let alone in the NHL. With a full summer to recover from offseason surgery, we expect Karlsson to be in elite shape this year.
Brent Burns: While many fans love the personality and enthusiasm Burns brings to the Sharks, there is a similar concern to Karlsson when it comes to defensive awareness. What some may not take into account, however, is the incredible dynamic player that Burns is. He plays the role of defender like few do. Maybe it’s because he was drafted as a forward, moved to defense in the minors, then moved back to forward under Todd McLellan, then back to defense where he stayed… That’s even dizzying to write this; imagine trying to live it.
