2005 San Jose Sharks Preview

Welcome to the 2005 San Jose Sharks Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.

When you look at the San Jose Sharks one thing that’s really striking is the number of players who in 2003-04 had personal best years in either scoring, assists or points. Brad Stuart on defense, Nils Ekman at left wing, Patrick Marleau at center, and Jonathan Cheechoo at right wing are a few of the team’s key players who generated scoring opportunities. It’s no wonder that the team almost made it to the finals that year. What has changed for the Sharks on the ice? Not a whole lot, which may be just what they want. So many of their fine, homebred players are back and ready for another shot at the Championship.

Stuart, Ekman, and Marleau posted 39 points, 55 points and 57 points respectively for a total of 151 points. But the point totals are not the only thing at work on this San Jose club. There’s a spirited hustle, undying work ethic and physical toughness that permeates this team whose focus is on fast, young skaters. This doesn’t mean that a 6’ 4” veteran bruiser like Kyle McLaren is put on the shelf. McLaren, a cagy defenseman, missed tying his personal best for points (25) by one in the league’s last season.

There are high expectations associated with this California club especially considering the fact that San Jose finished second in the Western Conference just a few points behind league leading Detroit, a team they outlasted by one round in the 2003-04 playoffs.

There is still another San Jose player that reached some personal bests in the 2003-04 season and who deserves everyone’s attention. The Shark’s calmly focused, always prepared goaltender Evgeni Nabokov had 9 shutouts, a .921 save percentage and a 2.20 GAA. In the playoffs he was even better posting a 1.71 GAA and a save rate of .935. Nabokov, who won 7th place among active goalies in 2003-04, should continue to be the man in net.
For San Jose another season of personal bests could generate a team best—the winning of Lord Stanley’s Cup.

2005 Hockey Team Previews