Who's Overachieving, Underperforming for the San Jose Sharks so Far This Season?

The San Jose Sharks got off to a fast start this season, picking up at least a point each of their first four games and going 4-2-1 in their first seven contests. That record is even more impressive when you consider the Sharks have played only one home game so far.

As can be expected, some San Jose players are off to a very fast start statistically, while others have been disappointing thus far.

Here is a look at some of the Sharks players who are overachieving and underachieving thus far this season.

Keep in mind, players on this list are ranked on a combination of a player's production, role and expectations. Therefore, a bottom-six forward with two goals in seven games may be off to a good start while a first-line forward with identical numbers may be considered a huge disappointment.

Also, putting someone on either of these lists after seven games does not mean he will have a terrible season or a great season. It simply means he is off to a slow or fast start. The season is 82 games, and there is a lot of hockey to be played.

Feel free to comment about any of the players on this list or to mention another player you feel belongs here but was omitted. As always, indicate why you feel the way you do.

Underachieving 2: Mirco Mueller

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Mirco Mueller has struggled at times as a rookie.

Perhaps it's almost unfair to include Mueller on this list since rookie defensemen are expected to have their ups and downs. Still, the 19-year-old Swiss native has had his struggles early in his inaugural NHL season.

Head coach Todd McLellan has made Mueller a healthy scratch in two games this year. He has played in five games so far. Mueller has picked up his first career point, an assist in the game against the New York Islanders.

Defensively is where Mueller has struggled the most. He has mostly been teamed with Brent Burns on defense, which means the rookie's primary responsibility is to be smart and steady in his own end and stay back when Burns steps up to join the rush.

At times, the rookie has made the right play, but he is still learning and has been beaten on moves that should not happen to a quality NHL defenseman at times.

There is not a lot of concern about Mueller's inconsistent start. The fact that he's made the Sharks at 19 is an accomplishment in itself. Still, here is a player who is in the league because of his hockey sense and smart positional play who is struggling at times in those very areas. That should improve as he gains experience and feels more comfortable playing in the NHL.

Underachieving 1: Tomas Hertl

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Hertl has only 2 goals despite seeing time on the top line.

Tomas Hertl excited a lot of Sharks fans with his performance as a rookie. The Czech native scored 15 goals in just 37 games, including one of the most spectacular goals you'll ever see in an October game against the New York Rangers.

Hertl missed much of last season due to injury, but he was healthy and ready to start the 2014-15 season with San Jose.

Coach McLellan placed Hertl on the team's top line along with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski to start the season. He has also seen some time on the power play.

Despite these opportunities, Hertl has scored only two goals and has no assists in the first seven games of the year.

That puts him on pace for 23 goals over an 82-game season, a far cry from the 33-goal pace he was on last season. When you realize who he has been playing with, the numbers are even more disappointing.

He is getting fewer shots on goal this season as well. Last year, Hertl averaged nearly three shots on goal per game. This season, he has only eight shots on net in seven contests. When a forward is playing on a line with Joe Thornton, one of the best passers in the game today, there should be more scoring chances.

Again, this is not a cause for panic. Goal scorers tend to be streaky, and Hertl is no exception. Hertl is off to a slow start and is not living up to expectations, but one hot streak can get him back on pace for a solid season.

Overachieving 3: John Scott

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John Scott already has a goal this season.

The Sharks acquired 6'8", 270-pound enforcer John Scott to give the team a little more size and to protect some of the team's smaller, skilled players.

Scott is off to a torrid start, at least for him. Entering this season, the Edmonton native had only two career goals in 236 games and never scored more than one goal in a season.

This season, Scott scored a goal in his first appearance with the Sharks. He has already met his quota for the year.

Surprisingly, the tough guy has yet to spend any time in the penalty box. Still, his presence alone keeps opponents on their toes.

Scott will not keep up this offensive pace of one goal every three games. He's off to a hot start, but don't expect it to last.

Overachieving 2: Tommy Wingels

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Wingels has been very productive early in the season.

Tommy Wingels is a solid, third-line winger who the Sharks were happy to sign to a contract extension this season.

Still, Wingels is not in the NHL because he's a great goal scorer. He is a grinder and a hard-working pest who creates energy for his team and scores the occasional goal. Last season, the Evanston, Illinois, native scored a career-high 16 goals in 77 games.

Wingels started the season on an offensive hot streak. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Kings, Wingels scored twice. He had another two-point game against the Washington Capitals when the scored and added an assist.

Wingels has three goals and five points in seven games thus far. That puts him on pace for 35 goals and 59 points, both of which are well above his previous career highs.

While Wingels may indeed set new personal marks for goals and points this season, he is unlikely to come close to keeping up this impressive pace. Wingels is overachieving during the early part of the season.

Overachieving 1: Brent Burns

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Brent Burns won't score at this pace all season.

The Sharks decided to move Burns back to defense this summer, and thus far the transition has gone very well, at least offensively.

Burns has eight points in seven games so far this season. The only game he hasn't registered at least one point in was the 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Last season, while playing forward, Burns scored 22 goals and 48 points, both career highs.

This season, he is on pace to score 94 points over an 82-game season.

While Burns should be very productive from the blue line and will see plenty of time on the San Jose power play, he is unlikely to be a point-a-game player this season.

Burns is playing very well offensively, but he is overachieving during the early part of this season.