Three 'Player Of The Year' Candidates For The Sharks
There are only a couple games left in the 82-game NHL season for the San Jose Sharks, and after falling apart after the 2013-14 postseason and missing the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, they seemed to have turned themselves around as they prepare for the "dance" here in 2016.
At the end of each regular season, however, select Bay Area media members vote on a "Player of the Year" award for the Sharks. It's a tradition that began in their inaugural 1991 season after awarding it goaltender Jeff Hackett. Patrick Marleau has already won the award three times (2004, 2009, 2010), but other Shark legends such as Arturs Irbe, Jeff Friesen, Owen Nolan and Evgeni Nabokov have earned the award as well.
This season has a few qualified candidates after a bounce-back effort, let's take a look at the three most likely:
3. Joe Pavelski
Captain America, Little Joe, Pavs, whatever you like to call him, he has emerged as a tremendous captain for the Sharks this season. After years of being in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau's shadow, Pavelski dawned the 'C' for the first time in his NHL career this year.
He leads the team in goals (36) has a +26 plus/minus (seventh best in the league), but what is most impressive is his 10 game-winning goals, which leads the league.
Pavelski won the award the last two seasons after putting up a combined 78 goals and 71 assists in 164 games, but this year he will have a bit more competition from his teammates.
2. Brent Burns
I don't know where to begin on Burns. The once defenseman, then forward, now defenseman has had a great year thus far.
He currently owns the Sharks franchise record for most goals by a defenseman (27 and counting), which leads the league by a mile. On top of that, he has the second most points by all league defensemen and is in the running for the Norris trophy for the league's most valuable defender.
With the changing of positions as well as a new coaching staff this year, Burns has had to adjust more than any other Sharks player. His gap-toothed smile and burley beard make people happy he's out on the ice having fun. He's also really, really good - don't forget that.
1. Joe Thornton
Since his trade to the Sharks in 2005, Thornton has been on this award's short list every year. He's the only Shark player to win the league MVP award (the Hart Memorial trophy) while with the team in franchise history.
Fast forward ten years or so and Thornton is still among the NHL's elite forwards. With new coach Peter DeBoer coming in, Thornton has taken more days off this season than ever and it's paying off.
He leads the team in points (79), assists (61) and his advanced stats only back up his tremendous season. Thornton, a two-time Sharks Player of the Year (2006 and 2007), should have a great shot at winning the award again this season - he may even get a few Hart trophy votes as well.