There could be a few factors as to why the Sharks don’t have a win yet, sure. But 11 games without a win is still unbelievable. I know. The team’s captain has yet to play a single game this season. Where is he?
He’s still injured. That’s where.
Not having Couture on the ice is obviously affecting this team’s play. Not only is Couture the team’s captain, but he’s also the one player on the Sharks from several years past who doesn’t stop playing, no matter what the scoreboard reads. That’s what the Sharks need right now. He is the heartbeat of this organization and without him the Sharks are dead. And right now that’s exactly how they are playing in his absence.
Couture needs to get back to 100% and get back into that Sharks locker room. Players need to be held accountable but Logan also needs to teach these young guys how to continue playing even through tough times. This is a very young and fragile Sharks team, and they’ve missed their captain. Hopefully, Logan will be able to return within the next week or two as we need this horrendous start to finally end.
However, the forwards overall have to be better. Hertl has to be better. He has not stepped up in Couture’s absence. This group needs to have someone to look to when things go south. Hertl hasn’t been that guy. This team looks lost night in, and night out. The veterans aren’t stepping up and it’s affecting young players like Eklund, Zadina, and others who remain in games, mentally.
The defense is an absolute joke. It needs to be fixed. You don’t have to be skilled to get in front of a shot and block it. Kahkonen and Blackwood are being left out to dry every single game. The defense looks like they have never played hockey before, and the coaching staff clearly isn’t putting enough emphasis on this issue.
Something has to change. Even if it means losing games by a goal or two like the pattern we often had last season. Against some really good teams too. With David Quinn being on the hot seat, here are three options to look at for a new bench boss in San Jose.
Joel Quenneville - Coach Q most recently coached the Florida Panthers when he last coached in the NHL, but he is obviously known for his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks who saw three Stanley Cups in just six seasons. He has 969 wins as an NHL Head Coach and is looking to get behind a bench once again. Coach Q has experience with young players as he coached young talent such as Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Coach Q could be an interesting candidate to keep an eye on to help turn things around.
Rocky Thompson - Thompson was required to leave the San Jose Sharks organization over certain COVID-19 restrictions. However, Rocky Thompson was loved in San Jose. He was formerly the head coach of the Chicago Wolves prior to heading to the Sharks bench as an Associate Coach. He is now an Assistant with the Philadelphia Flyers, however, with the right opportunity, I could see Rocky being a great fit as the San Jose Sharks main bench boss. Respect from the players is key and Rocky has that with many Sharks players. He is also known to get into it with players which is good to raise competition. The defensive system when Rocky was around was much, much better too.
Darryl Sutter - Sutter coached the Sharks from 1999-2003. So we know he has some familiarity with the Bay Area. He is most known for his time with the LA Kings, winning two Stanley Cups in a three-year span. As well as his multiple tenures with the Calgary Flames. Sutter is an old-school coach, with a very old-school coaching style. So it may not be the best fit with younger guys like the Sharks have. But if we want to be pushed and have this team learn to play for each other, then Darryl Sutter is the man. This is a long shot, as I don’t think Sutter will leave Canada to coach again, but he would definitely be an interesting option for the short-term plan at least.
The last time this Sharks team was this bad was in the early 90s as an expansion team, so they were given a little bit of a break. However, after 30+ years, a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, and a few more conference finals appearances, fans around the league aren’t letting this fly without them hearing about it.
Fans are now able to bet on gambling applications for the Sharks’ first win of the season. That is how embarrassing this team has become. If something doesn’t change quickly, the Sharks are in for an even longer season than it already has been up to this point. The good thing is it still is early, yet, that can be more bad news than it is good. Hopefully, with a new coach potentially around the corner, the Sharks can get back to playing meaningful games for each other. That’s all I want to see. Play hard for each other and lose, fine. But don’t just lollygag around the ice and look like you have no interest in being here.
The Sharks need to change something, now, before things somehow begin to get worse. And unfortunately for David Quinn, that starts with a change behind the bench the majority of the time.
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