Production is Around the Corner For Sharks Calen Addison
Calen Addison is starting to put up points for the San Jose Sharks, and there is only more to come.
Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports - Production is Around the Corner For Sharks Calen AddisonCalen Addison is starting to put up points for the San Jose Sharks, and there is only more to come.
In his last five games, Addison has four points, all assists. Three of those assists have come on the powerplay.
Sharks GM Mike Grier moved to acquire Addison from the Minnesota Wild on Nov 8. The Sharks got their first win against the Philadelphia Flyers the night before.
Many issues caused San Jose's 11-game losing streak to start the season. One reason was the Sharks' inability to move the puck out of its zone.
Addison's puck-moving ability made him an attractive player for the Sharks to acquire.
"Calen is a talented young defenseman who sees the ice well and moves the puck well," Grier said about Addison. "He is a very good player on the powerplay, and we are excited to add him to our group."
Take off the first five games of his Sharks career for an adjustment period, and look at his last five games. He understands the systems and powerplay better, making his game more effective.
His ability to quarterback the first powerplay has brought success on the scoresheet for the entire unit. Addison and his teammates create offensive momentum even when the powerplay doesn't score.
Addison was initially paired with Mario Ferraro but has moved into a pairing with Matt Benning. Benning and Addison are right-handed, meaning one has to play their off-side. Addison has been the one to take that role and looked smooth doing it.
Although this is a quick play, Addison can read the faceoff win and easily slide into the middle of the ice. By doing so, he gives himself passing options. He can go to William Eklund or back against the grain to set up on the man advantage.
"I thought he handled playing the off-side well. It's not easy," Sharks head coach David Quinn said on Nov 23. "People think you can do it seamlessly, but he handled it well. He's got the skill to do it, and he's comfortable with the puck on his stick on his off-side, which is big."
Addison's smooth skating ability has made his transition to the left side much more manageable.
"I thought his gaps were good, which allowed him to be more effective defending on the initial rush," Quinn said. "Sometimes, that pivot can be a little more difficult than the strong side pivot. I thought he did a really good job."
Addison has brought a much-needed element to the Sharks' back-end. He is still 23 years old and looks to be along for the Sharks rebuild.
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