According to the Hockey News' AI model, The San Jose Sharks are expected to finish dead last.

The San Jose Sharks are already being counted out by many, including The Hockey News' AI learning model Kevin.

Last season: 22-44-16, 7th in the Pacific.
Projected finish: 8th in the Pacific.

Projected Pacific Division Finish

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Keys to the season

1. Blackwood and Kahkonen go nuts:

MacKenzie Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen are set to man the crease for the Sharks this season. Both goalies are searching for the game that made them successful when they first broke into the NHL.

San Jose will struggle defensively all season, and to have any success, Kahkonen and Blackwood need to be the best goalie tandem in the league.

2. Lose with pride:

Head Coach David Quinn needs to continue to get the most out of the roster. He will have a good mixture of veterans and prospects. 

Guys like Anthony Duclair and William Eklund will be relied upon for offense. Outside of the production Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture will provide, San Jose will need the offense to come from everywhere.

GM Mike Grier has put Team Teal into a complete rebuild. Getting to the playoffs this season would be a miracle, but if the team plays with heart and shows potential, the season will succeed. 

3. Eklund becomes elite:

William Eklund is expected to make a big jump in his first full season in the NHL. Quinn must utilize the Swede's talent in all facets of the ice.

Eklund was taken No. 7 in 2021, and considering he was ranked inside the top five, the Sharks got what was assumed to be one of the best prospects in the draft.

Now it's Eklund's turn to provide the elite play expected of a player with that sort of draft hype.

Most likely scenario: 

San Jose is going to struggle. It will be a long season that sees the Sharks as one of, if not the worst, team in the NHL. Quinn will get his players to play hard, but the talent isn't there.

Worst case scenario: 

As weird as it sounds, winning is the worst thing for the San Jose Sharks. The prospect pool is not deep enough for this team to contend in the future. There is no reason for San Jose to want to win a lot this season.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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