Scouting the Enemy: Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks

Mar 20, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) attempts to rebound a shot by Sharks center Patrick Marleau (not pictured) against Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen (31) during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1. For the Sharks, everything starts with franchise cornerstones Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. However, the Sharks have another duo at forward seen as the future cornerstones in Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture. Pavelski is coming off a 41 goal, 79 point season that saw him named to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team, while Couture is already seen as one of the better two-way centers in the game. How much longer will it be before those two take the reins in San Jose and make the Sharks “their team”? Also, which one of those two players would you expect to be the next eventual captain of the Sharks?

Felix: I don’t think it’ll be long at all. In fact, I think you’re already seeing the team transitioning onto the new younger core of Couture, Pavelski, and Brent Burns, along with the youth. It might be taking long, but I think it’s already quite evident that Thornton and Marleau, though still the franchise leaders technically, are now just supplements. Doug Wilson has time and time again expressed a “rebuild” for the San Jose Sharks, which means a younger and faster group. So, although it’s taking long to fully transition into that new, younger duo, I think you’re already seeing a team in the process of transitioning, with Pavelski eventually getting the C.