Handing out Sharks’ season awards
We interrupt this unexpected, late-season free fall by the Sharks to recognize the team’s regular-season honorees, using the NHL’s major awards as the standard.
It might seem like an awkward time to be handing out accolades, but San Jose has clinched a Stanley Cup playoff berth for the 12th time in 13 seasons, so it did something right for most of the season. And who knows what happens if Logan Couture returns and the team gets this speed bump out of its system? Hart (most valuable player): It’s not even close. Brent Burns has been more important to the Sharks than anyone else despite a late-season drop in production. He has set a franchise record for goals (28) and points (73) for a defenseman for a second straight campaign, and his work in the defensive zone is as good as it’s ever been. Norris (top defenseman): Burns again, which is saying something since MarcEdouard Vlasic is annually the Sharks’ minister of defense. It’s recognized that Vlasic and partner Justin Braun draw the tougher nightly assignment in terms of facing opposing topline skaters, but Burns has made the stretch pass an art form, and there’s something to be said about an excellent defenseman who plays more in the offensive zone. Selke (top forward): Couture is one of the best two-way forwards in the league, and that’s why it’s critical to the team’s postseason hopes that he gets back and is 100 percent. Couture does it with smarts and an unwavering commitment to taking care of his own end before turning up ice. He is not replaceable. Calder (top rookie): Six of the Sharks’ seven rookies this season are still in the system, and three — forwards Kevin Labanc, Timo Meier and Marcus Sorensen — have shown the most promise. All three play a different game. Labanc has a tremendous shot, Meier is the complete package but is still green and Sorensen displays a ton of speed while learning to play more on the inside. It’s hard to suggest who has stood out most, but Labanc supplied the biggest help at a time the Sharks needed it most early on, so he’s our pick. Vezina (top goalie): OK, there are only two goalies, but who has been better in their role? This is where the Sharks don’t have any complaints. Starter Martin Jones has been a workhorse and he’s been consistent in his second year as an NHL starter. Backup Aaron Dell has given the team probably more than they could have guessed. Add it together, and the Sharks ranked sixth in goals-against average (2.44) before Friday’s game in Calgary. Lady Byng (sportsmanship): Defenseman Paul Martin, Braun and Couture are all in the running, but forward Patrick Marleau is the choice as the team’s third-leading goalscorer (26) with just 11 minor penalties while again appearing in every game. Jack Adams (top coach): Coach Peter DeBoer definitely deserves credit for recognizing the challenges of West Coast travel on top of a condensed schedule with a roster full of veteran skaters. He prepared the team to navigate the rigors of a long regular season after a short offseason by managing practices and rest. He has folded in a number of rookie callups, yet not force-fed them to the group. Seeing the world: It’s a long way to travel for two preseason games, but the Kings and Canucks will play in Shanghai and Beijing in late September to promote the 2017 NHL China Games. Vegas, baby: The league has done an about-face and will release each team’s list of protected players and those being made available to expansion Vegas a couple days before the Golden Knights stock their initial roster June 21. The NHL received pushback and probably realized most, if not all, teams’ lists would eventually get leaked anyhow. Iginla rebirth: The Kings aren’t going anywhere, but the acquisition of Jarome Iginla has paid dividends. With the leadership and determination he’s shown since the tradedeadline deal, one has to wonder if at age 39 he’s thinking about playing longer. Briefly: Ex-Sharks backup Alex Stalock made 18 saves to win in his debut this season with Minnesota, which has opted to give struggling starter Devan Dubnyk a few games off to rest — taking a page from the Blues with their midseason handling of Jake Allen. … Oilers star Connor McDavid just won’t slow down. He’s riding a nine-game scoring streak (five goals, 11 assists for 16 points) to lead the league with 91 points. … Patrik Elias, the Devils’ alltime leader in goals and assists, announced his retirement Friday. He hasn’t played this season due to a knee injury that required surgery. His No. 26 will be retired by the team.