Many unknowns surround San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture but don't rule him out yet.

Many unknowns surround San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture but don't rule him out yet.

Couture told reporters that he was expecting to return to the ice in July, and while there hasn't been any confirmation, there is also no confirmation that he had any setback. 

After playing six games last season, rumors of Couture's career in doubt slowly picked up. The captain did not indicate that retirement had entered his mind. He is human, and when asked if there was doubt in his mind that he could return to playing, Couture was honest but reaffirmed faith in the Sharks training staff and doctors.

"Yeah, it's there. Unfortunately, with injuries, that's the way it always goes," Couture said during his exit interview. "The mind is always going to doubt that things are going to be back to normal, but myself and the doctors believe that I can get back to playing and not be in pain, which is where I'm at right now. My day-to-day life has been back to normal."

Rumors that the Sharks were looking to trade their captain were put to bed after GM Mike Grier publically claimed that any rumor involving trading Couture was and is false. 

With the Sharks trading Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights to give him a better opportunity to win the Stanley Cup, Couture was asked if he'd be interested in something similar. Once again, the San Jose Sharks captain was honest. 

Couture shared a similar thought after the season ended when asked if he was considering seeking a trade to a team closer to the postseason. 

"There are so many layers; first of all, I got healthy; I have to play. I said this when I talked to you guys when Tommy got traded: no one's going to want a guy that's injured, making my salary. I have a history of being a productive player in this league, but I'm going to have to come back and show it for teams to have interest in me, and that's just the way it is," Couture said.

The last time the Sharks were in the postseason, Couture arguably had his best playoff performance. Couture scored 20 points in 20 games and 14 goals. His other career-best postseason performance was in 2016, scoring 30 points in 24 games.

Couture believes in the Sharks' plan to return to the postseason. At the time, nobody in the organization knew the draft lottery results or that Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith would sign. 

"I believe in what they're doing here. Obviously, it was a terrible, terrible season, but I think this is rock bottom. I think they're growing this organization in the proper way, even though you may not see it right now with how tough this season was," Couture said. "I just turned 35, so the clock for me playing in this league is probably on the back nine. I want to win. I miss playing in the playoffs. I can't answer your question. I'm going to try and get back to playing."

If Logan Couture is healthy, he can be a terrific asset to the Sharks young core. Even if he returns as a winger, Celebrini and Smith could lean on the captain as a mentor for the NHL. Based on what has been said, Couture has had a plan for the summer, and there are no indications that his plan has altered. Time will tell when the San Jose Sharks training camp begins next month.

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