San Jose Sharks vs. Vanvouver Canucks Preseason Impressions

It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. Especially in the preseason.

The Sharks suited up last night against a Vancouver Canucks team that was without their best five players, including the Sedin twins.

The Sharks ended up taking the victory easily and, from the first look this reporter has had at the new team this year, have showed some improvements on the year before.

Penalty Killing Will Be Better

With assistant coach Trent Yawney gone, the forwards on the penalty kill aren't doing as much chasing and crisscrossing as they were last year.

The Sedin-less Canucks were 0-for-5 on the power play including two 5-on-3's.

The 5-on-3 defensive pairing was Brent Burns and Douglas Murray.

Having two men of their size and reach made a huge difference in taking up space in front of the net against the two-man advantage.

In fact, the best scoring opportunity for the Canucks came on a one-man advantage on a pass through the crease. 

Goalie Thomas Greiss slid across and made a save on the one-timer, preserving the first period tie in what was then a 0-0 game and ultimately earning another shutout for the preseason version of the Sharks.

This Wingels Kid Is for Real

Tommy Wingels burns up the ice. He's the fastest player I've ever seen in a Sharks uniform.

He split the defense in a foot race on one play while rushing right up the middle of the ice.

His speed creates scoring chances that will generate goals and points during the season.

Tommy Wingels is the type of player who is in on the fore-check, back on the back-check, quick on the breakout and contributes highly to the flow of the game in the Sharks favor, even when he's kept off the score sheet.

Who Is Ready for the Season?

Jim Vandemeer is a solid defender and is already doing everything that will be asked of him all year long.

He's smart with the puck; he's calm and decisive; he's in position, and he won a fight that was the longest match of the night. I can't wait to see him paired on the third-line defense with Colin White.

A third line of Mitchell, Handzus and Wingels is creating opportunities while keeping the other team in its defensive zone, which is perfect for a third line. Play like they're playing, and the goals will come.

Marleau, Thornton and Pavelski looked good together while scoring on a power play goal. The chemistry will gel as time goes on.

Douglas Murray, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Logan Couture all turned in decent performances in blanking the 'Nucks and are ready for the season to start.

Jamie McGinn scored with a beautiful shot and won a fight while protecting Logan Couture. 

This former first-round pick who was once thought of as a scoring winger is molding his 6'3" frame into a role player nicely.

Who Still Looks Shaky?

Jason Demers looked shaky even before he got blasted when coming out from behind his own net on a breakout.

JD is a good player who doesn't have it going yet.

Ryan Clowe lucked his way into an assist on a beautiful backhand shot by Jamie McGinn. 

Clowe was the man with the puck on an odd-man rush and simply skated the puck into a crowd, lost it, and McGinn took out the garbage and buried it over the goalie's left shoulder.

Give Clowe credit for taking it to the net, he didn't look comfortable all game, though, and has work to do to get there.

Our New Defense Is Amazing

Brent Burns isn't a perfect player; he's nearly as effective as Dan Boyle though.

Having Boyle on the ice one shift and Burns on the ice the next is comforting beyond belief.

That means that over two thirds of each game, the Sharks are having a top defender on the ice!

When watching a game, this looks even better than it sounds.

Against teams with one big scoring line, however, they can pair up on defense as the Ducks used to do against the Thornton line with Neidermeyer and Pronger.

Having Jim Vandemeer and Colin White as a third-line defensive pairing in the playoffs is assuring. Their physical presence and veteran calm will hold down the fort against other third and fourth lines no problem.

Justin Braun and Jason Demers should get plenty of time to develop in the regular season. 

Granted, this reporter hasn't seen Colin White play this year, but to think that these two promising defensemen might be relegated to the sky box come playoff time, however, is a problem the Sharks have never had before.

Surprise of the Night: Prospect Watch

The picture here isn't of the Canuck's lone star of the game. It's the aftermath of the first punch thrown by Canucks left wing Aaron Volpatti in a fight against Brad Winchester.

Winchester went straight down on both knees as Volpatti hovered above, daring Winchester to get up.

Winchester waived Volpatti off with a side-to-side gesture with his fighting hand as if to say, "I'm done.  Someone please come help me off the ice."

Volpatti also laid the clean hit on Jason Demers that caused a whistle for injury and knocked Demers out of the game for some time.

Aaron Volpatti goes on our watch list for possible fourth liners to trade for or claim off waivers down the road.

Final Thoughts

While Antti Niemi is questionable to start the season and Antero Nittymaki is out for at least three months, Thomas Greiss looks more than ready to start the season in net.

Regardless of who is between the pipes, expect the Sharks to get off to a quick start this year.

The team looks to be in another league compared to the Sharks of last year.

Expect the Sharks to get over the hump this year and find the championship spirit that lies within them.