First-round picks: No. 20
2000-01 record: 40-27-12-3, 95 points (11th overall)
What they need
Some young blueliners to eventually replace the veteran core of defensemen (Bryan Marchment, Gary Suter, Jeff Norton) currently in place in Silicon Valley. A scoring threat, particularly on left wing, is also likely on the Sharks' shopping list. Among playoff teams, only Carolina (with 212) had fewer goals during the regular season than San Jose (217).
In the system
Left wing Chad Wiseman (246th overall in '00) spent last season with a pair of OHL teams -- Mississagua and Plymouth -- scoring 26 goals and 71 points in 62 games. Another player who put up capable numbers at the major junior level was center Eric Betournay (229th overall in '99), who had 18 goals and
61 points in 72 games at Chicoutimi (QMJHL).
In the minors, center Ryan Kraft (194th overall in '95) led the Kentucky Thoroughblades (AHL) in scoring with 88 points (38 G, 50 A) in 77 games. However, time may no longer be on his side as Kraft will turn 26 early next season. Also putting up good numbers at Kentucky were a pair of '98 draft selections -- right wingers Mikael Samuelsson (145th overall in '98), who was second on the T-Blades in scoring with 78 points (32 G, 46 A) in 66 games, and Jonathan Cheechoo (29th overall in '98), who had 66
points (32 G, 34 A) in 75 games.
On defense, Jeff Jillson (14th overall in '99) had a solid season for the Michigan Wolverines (NCAA-CCHA), with 28 points and a plus-9 rating in 36 games. He has decided to forgo his senior season and signed with San Jose. Finally, in goal, Vesa Toskala (90th overall in '95) won 22 of his 44 appearances for Kentucky and posted a 2.77 GAA. His efforts earned him an emergency call-up to San Jose during the playoffs, but he did not see any action.
Recent draft history
Last year marked the first time that San Jose did not have a first-round selection since entering the league in 1991. The Sharks have not been afraid to dive into the European talent pool, using five of the 12 first round choices they've had on players from Europe. They've also had a history of faring well with their first round picks. Excluding Jeff Jillson, who was in college last season, 10 of the franchise's first 11 first round selections saw some action at the NHL level during the 2000-01 season.
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