2019 San Jose Sharks Odds to win Stanley Cup with Expert Predictions

There was a lot working against the San Jose Sharks last year. Their goaltending was a long way from great, and defender Erik Karlsson, who they paid handsomely to acquire, played only 53 regular-season games. Offensive depth made up for other shortcomings, though, and the team still tallied 101 points. And in the playoffs, things got special. They not only beat Vegas in Round 1 but came back from a 3-0 third period deficit to win the seventh game. The emotions of that win could have been too much, but the team got right back to work and beat a very talented, tough Colorado team in seven games in the second round. But it is draining to play 14 emotional, tough games in two rounds, and by the time the Sharks got to the third round against the Blues, the eventual Stanley Cup champions , they were hit too hard by injuries and wear and tear, and they didn't have enough to give. It was a good fight, but they fell in six games. It wasn't when they wanted the season to end, but it was still a season that had to be viewed as a success. And there is little reason to doubt that they can follow it up with another strong year.

San Jose Sharks Offseason Moves

The team made one move early, and it really shaped the rest of their season. When they traded for Karlsson, he had a year left on his deal. The team gave up too much to only have him for that time, so they were happy to extend him. Paying $92 million over eight years has a huge impact on the cap in this league, and the last couple of years of that deal aren't likely to look great - Karlsson is already 29 and has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. But it's a deal that had to be done.

When you commit that much to one player, with other big contracts already on the book, there are going to be casualties. None was bigger than captain Joe Pavelski, who left in free agency for the Stars. Though he is 35, Pavelski still had 64 points in 75 games last year, so he is very productive. But Dallas offered him $21 million over three years, and that just wasn't going to happen in San Jose. Pavelski will be missed. So will Joonas Donskoi, the winger who had been growing into his offensive game but priced himself out of the San Jose system and is now in Colorado. Gustav Nyquist, a trade deadline acquisition from Detroit last year, was allowed to leave to Columbus despite solid play in San Jose. And Justin Braun saw his nine-year career in San Jose end when the solid defenseman was traded to Philadelphia for a couple of draft picks.

When the cap is a concern, it makes sense that there were more guys sent out than were brought in. They added cheap guys like fourth line forward Jonny Brodzinski and depth defender Dalton Prout. And young prospects are going to have opportunities on this roster - as they usually have had in San Jose. They have, for example, three guys just out of junior - Sasha Chmelevski, Joachim Blichfeld and Ivan Chekhovich - will all start the year in the AHL as they get used to the pro game, but all three have the chance to play themselves right into the lineup.

It took a while as the team let other things shake out, but they did the inevitable and signed Joe Thornton for yet another season. The 40-year-old is a long way from what he was, but he's still valuable, and he comes cheap.

The Sharks didn't make a pick at the draft until 48th overall, so they won't get immediate impact. They are better than most teams, though, at identifying underappreciated talent - especially European talent - so few and lower picks isn't a bad thing in the longer term.

San Jose Sharks NHL Outlook

Martin Jones and Aaron Dell were disappointing during the regular season. Very disappointing. Both guys had save percentages below .900, and that's just not good enough. The goaltending was better in the postseason, but it is still a major concern. And losing Pavelski is a concern, too. But there is still plenty of talent here, and the top four of defense is just terrifyingly good - especially if Karlsson can stay healthy. This team would have to really see things fall off the rails in order to miss the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks Schedule

We don't have to wait very long at all to get our first chance to see how this team measures up against top-level talent - they open their season with a home-and-home series against Vegas, the top team in the West in the eyes of the oddsmakers . And the Golden Knights will be out for revenge after that humiliating end to their season last year.

San Jose Sharks NHL Futures Odds

The Sharks are one of six teams tied at +2000 to win the Stanley Cup, which puts them behind eight other teams. They are tied with Dallas and Nashville as the fifth choice to win the Western Conference at +900 and are the third choice to win the Pacific Division at +450. The season point total sits at 95.5, with the action split evenly. They are at -200 to make the playoffs and +170 to miss them.

2019-20 San Jose Sharks Predictions

This team is going to be very solid. As usual. They have plenty of talent and depth. The goaltending makes me nervous about trusting them too much, and they played a lot of hockey in the playoffs last year, but it would be shocking to see them as anything but a playoff team. And once they get there, they have shown that they will always be a tough out. I like the over on the season point total .

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