Sharks Leadership Will be Tested This Season

I noticed something during the San Jose Sharks' 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks last night.

A slow start proved costly as the team lacked a leader to get the bench going.

David Quinn is the perfect coach for this franchise, but there was a considerable difference when Tomas Hertl was not on the bench.

The Sharks will also be without their captain, Logan Couture, for some time. Neither Quinn nor Couture put a timetable on his possible return, but all indications seem that he may be out to start the regular season.

"I'd love to have him play all 82," Quinn said before yesterday's game. "I'd rather bring him back a week late than a week early."

With Couture possibly missing extended time, Mario Ferraro, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, and Hertl are left to carry the leadership torch.

San Jose will also need to add another assistant captain. Erik Karlsson being traded left an opening for someone to step up.

Nico Sturm has been a leader during practice and was rewarded with an 'A' on his jersey during last night's game.

Leadership in hockey is more than just the head coach. The players need to be able to look to someone when things get tough.

The Sharks are in a transition year and will struggle. The Athletic predicted San Jose to finish last, and many oddsmakers were betting heavily against San Jose.

THN's preseason poll voted San Jose most likely to win the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.

In a season where the San Jose Sharks are already being counted out, player leadership has to take the brunt of it. 

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes joined Elliotte Friedman's 32 Thoughts podcast on Sept. 15. Hughes discussed how the newly named Vancouver Canucks captain took on the role of facing the media after the team traded Bo Horvat.

"When Bo [Horvat] left, he was the guy who had to talk in front of the media," Hughes said. "Which isn't easy. I watched Nico [Hischier] do the same thing all those years when we were losing."

Hertl, Couture, Vlasic, and Karlsson have had to face the media for the last few seasons. It is time for someone else to step in and be the guy to lead this team. 

This by no means is a slight against the current leadership group. Luke Kunin and Sturm have done nothing but work their tails off during practices and games. I could easily see one of them take on a new leadership role.

Defenseman Matt Benning signed a four-year deal with the San Jose Sharks last offseason. At 29, Benning has seen almost everything the NHL can throw at a team.

He knows what it takes to be an established NHL-caliber player. From facing the media to game preparation and off-ice commitment to the team, Benning could be someone this young Sharks team turns to.

Bringing in veterans like Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair, and Mikael Granlund will also help show the prospects what it takes to be in the NHL. 

GM Mike Grier wants his team to be competitive. The mixture of veterans and young players is good. He wants every player to earn their spot, even if they are an established player. With this mindset, Quinn and Grier can reinforce that being in the NHL isn't a given.