New NHL season 2018-2019

October 02 starts the new NHL season and it looks to be one for the books. One of the best off-season acquisitions was landed by the San Jose Sharks when they picked up Erik Karlsson. Eric, a two-time winning Norris Trophy winner, along with Norris winner Brent Burns, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic & Justin Braun, are probably the best four defensemen in the entire league and now the four are on the same team.



For that reason alone, ESPN ranked San Jose as the #1 defensive team starting the season. As for the ESPN Power Rankings, without any actual games played, the writers placed SJ Sharks at #8. Goalie Martin Jones is back for another year and was also pegged for potential year-end hardware by a panel of NHL writers. The same panel overwhelmingly picked San Jose to go all the way this season.

However, defense alone does not win games. Teams have to score and San Jose has offensive power.
The Team line-up of Centers, Right-wings, and Left-wings is full of goal scorers. Evander Kane signed a long term contract. Pavelski, Couture, and Hertl are healthy. If Goaltender Martin Jones stays on track to maintain his play from last year (or even better, improves), then Team Teal is well on their way to earning Cup rings.

Player R.Rourke Chartier L.Logan Couture (A) J.Joonas Donskoi D.Dylan Gambrell B.Barclay Goodrow T.Tomas Hertl E.Evander Kane M.Melker Karlsson K.Kevin Labanc T.Timo Meier J.Joe Pavelski (C) L.Lukas Radil M.Marcus Sorensen A.Antti Suomela J.Joe Thornton (A)

# Pos Sh Ht Wt Born Birthplace 60 C L 5'11"5' 11" 195 04/03/96Apr 3, 1996 Saskatoon, SK, CAN 39 C L 6'1"6' 1" 205 03/28/89Mar 28, 1989 Guelph, ON, CAN 27 RW R 6'0"6' 0" 190 04/13/92Apr 13, 1992 Raahe, FIN 14 C R 6'0"6' 0" 195 08/26/96Aug 26, 1996 Bonney Lake, WA, USA 23 RW L 6'2"6' 2" 210 02/26/93Feb 26, 1993 Toronto, ON, CAN 48 C L 6'2"6' 2" 220 11/12/93Nov 12, 1993 Praha, CZE 9 LW L 6'2"6' 2" 212 08/02/91Aug 2, 1991 Vancouver, BC, CAN 68 C R 6'0"6' 0" 180 07/18/90Jul 18, 1990 Lycksele, SWE 62 RW R 5'11"5' 11" 185 12/12/95Dec 12, 1995 Brooklyn, NY, USA 28 RW L 6'0"6' 0" 215 10/08/96Oct 8, 1996 Herisau, CHE 8 C R 5'11"5' 11" 195 07/11/84Jul 11, 1984 Plover, WI, USA -- C R 6'2"6' 2" 187 08/05/90Aug 5, 1990 Caslav, CZE 20 LW L 5'11"5' 11" 175 04/07/92Apr 7, 1992 Sodertalje, SWE -- C L 6'0"6' 0" 172 03/17/94Mar 17, 1994 Espoo, FIN 19 C L 6'4"6' 4" 220 07/02/79Jul 2, 1979 London, ON, CAN

Defense

Player J.Justin Braun B.Brent Burns B.Brenden Dillon T.Tim Heed E.Erik Karlsson J.Joakim Ryan R.Radim Simek M.Marc-Edouard Vlasic

# Pos Sh Ht Wt Born Birthplace 61 D R 6'2"6' 2" 205 02/10/87Feb 10, 1987 Minneapolis, MN, USA 88 D R 6'5"6' 5" 230 03/09/85Mar 9, 1985 Barrie, ON, CAN 4 D L 6'4"6' 4" 225 11/13/90Nov 13, 1990 New Westminster, BC, CAN 72 D R 6'0"6' 0" 185 01/27/91Jan 27, 1991 Gothenburg, SWE -- D R 6'0"6' 0" 191 05/31/90May 31, 1990 Landsbro, SWE 47 D L 5'11"5' 11" 185 06/17/93Jun 17, 1993 Rumson, NJ, USA 51 D L 5'11"5' 11" 200 09/20/92Sep 20, 1992 Mlada Boleslav, CZE 44 D L 6'1"6' 1" 205 03/30/87Mar 30, 1987 Montreal, QC, CAN

Goalies

Player A.Antoine Bibeau A.Aaron Dell M.Martin Jones

# Pos Sh Ht Wt Born Birthplace 34 G -- 6'3"6' 3" 213 05/01/94May 1, 1994 Victoriaville, QC, CAN 30 G -- 6'0"6' 0" 200 05/04/89May 4, 1989 Airdrie, AB, CAN 31 G -- 6'4"6' 4" 195 01/10/90Jan 10, 1990 North Vancouver, BC, CAN

San Jose official website:

https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/san-jose-sharks-to-open-2018-19-season-wednesday-october-3-at-sap-center/c-300541802


NHL predictions:

https://www.nhl.com/news/2018-19-stanley-cup-expert-picks-nhl-staff/c-300466554?tid=280204614


ESPN rankings

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/24784519/nhl-ranking-all-31-teams-their-defenseman-group

GSharks fan bleed teal and we're excited to see our boys back in action again. GO SHARKS!

Stay safe out there.