San Jose Sharks: Grading the Team at the Midseason Mark

The San Jose Sharks have played 39 games thus far this season, and we are sneaking up to the NHL mid-season mark. Led by strong-willed head coach Todd McClellan, the Sharks currently sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference with 50 points.

A flurry of additions made by GM Doug Wilson in the offseason have certainly impacted the team in both positive and negative ways. Read on to see my mid-season grades for the San Jose Sharks, and feel free to compare them to my Early Season Report Card.

Offense: A-

The Sharks have displayed consistent inconsistency on offense, with several players not matching their potential. While there has been expected strong play by captain Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture, others such as Brent Burns, Dan Boyle and Martin Havlat have not lived up to expectations.

Burns, the centerpiece of Wilson's offseason acquisitions, was hyped as an offensive defenseman who could take some of the load off of Dan Boyle. Instead, Boyle and Burns are both going through the worst year of their careers.

Havlat, also acquired by Wilson, has produced next to nothing for the Sharks, recording just two goals. Even worse, he is now possibly out for the remainder of the season after falling over the bench.

However, there have been some strong surprises offensively.

Marc-Eduouard Vlasic has made a dramatic improvement from last season, and has even started to score some goals, such as this beauty against the Washington Capitals. Jamie McGinn has finally caught on in the NHL, providing constant energy and decent scoring on that third line. Brad Winchester, who made the Sharks out of training camp, has surprised many with his ability to shoot the puck.

I give them an A-minus is because of inconsistent play from Burns, Boyle and Havlat, offensively. Remember who the Sharks traded away to get Burns and Havlat? Devin Setoguchi and Dany Heatley, who are both playing very well for the Minnesota Wild. 

Hopefully, these guys can turn it around in the second half and prove that the Sharks got the upper hand in these trades.

Defense: B

The Sharks defense was regarded as one of the top in the NHL at the beginning of the season, due to the acquisitions of Burns, Colin White and Jim Vandermeer. Well, Burns has not produced much, White has been a non-factor and Vandermeer is injured.

Instead, the Sharks have brought up Justin Braun to fill the void defensively. The reason the Sharks have a B-rating is not because of their defensemen, but because of their…

Goaltending: A+

Or, should I say: Anti Niemi: A-plus?

Niemi has just been a workhorse for the Sharks this season. He has started 30 games while notching an 18-7-4 record. Niemi has singlehandedly won some games for the Sharks, and has been stellar in mostly all the other ones.

He has done everything that has been asked of him, and there is no doubt that he should receive an A-plus for his efforts thus far this season.

Special Teams: C

The Sharks special teams has been mediocre at best. Their power play is in the middle of the league, but their penalty kill has been atrocious.

Although they have been better at special teams in previous games, they will need to step this up big time if they want to succeed in the second half of the season.

Overall grade: B

The average of all the above grades turns out to be a solid B. This does not necessarily reflect the performance of the entire team.

The Sharks sit atop the Pacific Division, which is arguably one of the toughest divisions in the league. They are now third in the Western Conference after being out of the playoff picture a few weeks ago.

Many players have played exceptionally well thus far, but some have to step it up if the team hopes to play this way consistently.

So, what do you think? Are these grades too easy, too hard or just right?

Eric He is a featured columnist and a syndicated writer. He is always open to new opportunities to further expand his career. Contact him at [e-mail].