Anyone within the Sharks organization would tell you that last season didn’t go exactly as planned.
After a run to the Western Conference Final in 2018-19, San Jose stumbled out of the gate, leading to the eventual sacking of coach Peter DeBoer.
Interim coach Bob Boughner took over on Dec. 11, and while the team wasn’t able to climb back near the top of the standings, there were plenty of positive signs from Boughner’s group prior to the coronavirus stoppage.
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Looking ahead to next season -- whenever that can happen -- the coach has some ideas for how the roster could improve.
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“We’d love to probably add another top-6 forward or another depth defenseman,” Boughner told NBC Sports California’s Brodie Brazil. “You lose guys like Goodrow and Marleau and (Brenden Dillon) on the back end things like that, those guys aren’t easily replaced.
“More than anything though, I really like the parts we have here. And, I really think that we need to get back to playing responsible, there’s gotta be an emphasis on accountability.”
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Goodrow was traded in February to the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Marleau was about to wrap up his 22nd NHL season with the Pittsburgh Penguins after a deadline deal. Dillon, even after an emotional press conference on the idea of being moved, was sent to the Capitals on Feb. 18.
San Jose was at the bottom of the Pacific Division standings when the season stopped with 63 points, just one behind the Los Angeles Kings.