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Sea change: a year after a stunning plunge, the Sharks could make a splash in the playoffs behind a solid system, potential game-stealing goaltending and new leader Patrick Marleau

Sporting News, The, March 29, 2004 by Kara Yorio

When Sharks center Patrick Marleau returned from last spring's World Championships, he was an unsatisfied Canadian gold medalist. He told Sharks general manager Doug Wilson that he was grateful for the experience but unhappy with the way he played. That Marleau had even gone to Finland for the Worlds, considering he was coming off a dismal season with the Sharks and his father was sick, told Wilson something. Marleau's honest assessment of his play told Wilson something else.

Then, days later, Marleau, his agent and Wilson sat down and agreed on a new contract.

"We got that deal done in a day," Wilson says. "It was a sign of leadership by Patty."

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In Wilson's eyes, Marleau's actions showed he was ready to be the Sharks' leader on and off the ice. Four days after Marleau signed, winger Marco Sturm agreed to terms, as did center Alyn McCauley. Winger Jonathan Cheechoo signed 10 days later. Wilson says those quick signings were a direct result of Marleau's lead. The Sharks were coming off a season in which they had suffered because key guys held out for better contracts. Marleau's signing had sent the message that such a scenario wouldn't happen again, at least not involving him. This season would be different.

The Sharks' suffering in 2002-03 led to an almost complete overhaul. In December 2002, they fired coach Darryl Sutter and hired Ron Wilson. In March, they traded captain Owen Nolan and veteran Bryan Marchment and fired longtime general manager Dean Lombardi. In May, Doug Wilson was promoted to G.M. after five years as director of pro development.

Before Doug Wilson took the reins, Teemu Selanne walked away as a free agent. Selanne's departure was supposed to be a debilitating hit to an already reeling team, but it became an opportunity. With veteran center Vincent Damphousse, winger Scott Thornton and center Mike Ricci back and a core of experienced younger players in Marleau, Sturm, McCauley, center Wayne Primeau, defenseman Brad Stuart and goalie Evgeni Nabokov, it was time for the kids to take over. With six NHL seasons under his belt, Marleau, 24, was going to lead the way.

The second overall pick in 1997, Marleau has size and hockey smarts and excels because of his ability to anticipate the play, his quickness and his finisher's touch. This season, he is putting it all together. He's making an impact at both ends of the ice--and with his size. As one Sharks observer put it, "It's like he just realized he's 6-2, 220."

Devils winger Jeff Friesen played with Marleau during Marleau's first four seasons with the Sharks. "Patty was a pretty shy kid," Friesen says. "It just took him a while to gain that confidence. His talent level is phenomenal."

Marleau entered the NHL at 18 and found his share of frustration. Success at such a young age can come in the league, but it won't come easy.

"It could happen if you have a coach who believes in you and you're not being questioned every time you make a few mistakes," Friesen says. "Sutter's a real demanding coach. He loved Patty, but he was hard on him. It just made Patty a better player."

This season, Wilson is reaping the Sutter's tough love with being able to set the direction from the beginning of the season, Wilson has molded the Sharks so they rely on speed, puck possession and transition' They forecheck hard and emphasize solid play and good positioning in their own end.

Besides installing the system, Wilson and Wilson wanted to improve three elements of the Sharks' game: penalty killing, goals against and road record. How important are these categories? A year ago, the Stanley Cup champion Devils were the best penalty-killing team in the league, tied for the lowest goals-against average and tied for second in road points in their conference. Doug Wilson often talks about how the Devils were built and the development of the Senators and their style of play. He learned from those successful models, and he and his coach have succeeded in what they set out to do. The numbers tell the story:

* Last season, the Sharks finished last in the league in penalty killing. Through March 14, they were first at home and sixth overall.

* Last season, the Sharks were 26th in goals against. Through March 14, they were sixth.

* Last season, the Sharks were 14th out of the 15 Western Conference teams in road points. Through March 14, they were fourth.

Many people deserve credit for those vital improvements. A team's goals-against average is not just about the goalies, although their performance is key, and the penalty kill. In Nabokov, the Sharks have a former rookie of the year and an incredible talent. After holding out in training camp last season, Nabokov had what Sharks goaltending coach Warren Strelow calls "a turbulent year." But the goalie has bounced back, as Strelow expected. Backing up Nabokov is Vesa Toskala, whom the Sharks had enough faith in to trade Miikka Kiprusoff to the Flames earlier this season.

Sea change: a year after a stunning plunge, the Sharks could make a splash in the playoffs behind a solid system, potential game-stealing goaltending and new leader Patrick Marleau

Sporting News, The, March 29, 2004 by Kara Yorio

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