Trading away an NHL player who scored 101 points will hurt any team, but the San Jose Sharks might feel the most effects.
Erik Karlsson won his third career Norris Trophy last season and led the San Jose Sharks in scoring, but was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With that void gone, the Sharks will need someone to step up, take charge, and become the offensive leader.
Some obvious answers exist to being the leading scorer in Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture.
Hertl has scored second on the team in two of the last three seasons. Other than when Couture finished second last season, the three players who finished ahead of Hertl are no longer on the team. (Karlsson, Timo Meier, Evander Kane).
Couture has been one of the most consistent players in the NHL since he entered the league in 2009-10. Across 14 seasons, Couture has scored over 50 points in nine seasons.
He shows up in critical moments and is a terrific producer in the playoffs. During the San Jose Sharks run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, Couture had 30 points in 24 playoff games.
He also started the comeback against the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019 and tied the game at three.
Many also forget the year prior, Couture scored a double-overtime goal in Vegas to tie a series at one.
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But what do the new acquisitions offer for the San Jose Sharks?
Anthony Duclair had a career-high 58 points in 21-22 for the Florida Panthers. He only played in 74 games due to a torn Achilles tendon but returned last season for the stretch run and playoffs.
Another year removed from the injury and a spot on the top lines in San Jose should only help the Duke regain his top form.
He is also an unrestricted free agent at year's end. Duclair wants the best season possible to get a lucrative contract.
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What about San Jose Sharks' top prospect William Eklund?
Eklund was drafted seventh overall in 2021 and was considered a top-five prospect.
Eklund should be playing in his first entire season in the NHL. He has shown great chemistry with players like Hertl and Couture.
He was often used as the focal shooting option on the powerplay on the right wing. While in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda, Eklund showed off his one-time shot. If he can bring that to the NHL level, the goals follow.
Eklund is a smart enough player to adjust as well. If he starts scoring one-timers on the powerplay, defenses will begin to cover it more. Eklund will then be able to create other shooting options for fellow linemates.
Whoever the leading scorer is for the San Jose Sharks, they will need a career season for the team to succeed.
There will be a lot of opportunities for multiple players to step up and take the offensive charge.
