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| Thursday, January 11 Updated: January 13, 9:54 AM ET Marleau gives Sharks deep bite By Brian A. Shactman ESPN.com |
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Flash back to the spring of 1997. As NHL draft talk perked up, Joe Thornton's name was bandied about almost as much as Eric Lindros' in his draft year. Thornton was the unequivocal top pick.
Three-plus seasons later, it's clear Boston made a good choice. Although Thornton isn't exactly on a Hall of Fame career path – at least not yet – he's improved each season and looks poised to break out any year. But the most interesting post-draft analysis is that the Sharks, by picking Patrick Marleau at No. 2, made a great choice. Granted, former Bruins coach Pat Burns handled Thornton like a porcelain vase and only played him sparingly his rookie year, but they still have comparable NHL numbers:
But Marleau isn't concerned with the draft, the past or even Thornton. His focus is on the Sharks, and the team and fans are glad of that. Through 41 games, Marleau leads the team with 17 goals, which equals his 81-game total from a season ago and is just four off his career high. "I think certain parts of my game are different, like down low in the offensive zone – where I'm protecting the puck better – and playing good defense," said Marleau when asked what explains his marked improvement, both in scoring goals and having a better plus-minus (plus-12 through Wednesday). "The Sharks had a mini-camp, and we watched tapes on what to do down low. (And) It's a little bit of experience and watching a guy like Vincent Damphousse." Marleau is one of a few Sharks players to step up his two-way game and provide depth – something the team lacked in the past. Despite a nagging neck injury that has landed him on the IR, Scott Thornton – usually considered a physical, lower-line player – already has a career-high 11 goals. Damphousse, who is playing a grittier game and better defense, is on pace to have his highest PIM total since 1995-96 while still averaging a point per game. His plus-16 is the best of his career. It's those performances that have Marleau the most excited he's been since arriving in San Jose. "The team is doing so well, and we have confidence," he said. "I think we can (go far in postseason). With this group of guys, I don't see a problem in the future. We can be a contender." While other teams might entirely not agree, a game against San Jose stands out more on the schedule than it used to. And games like Thursday's against St. Louis are now viewed as marquee matchups. "They prepare for us more than they used to, and don't take us lightly," Marleau said. "It's a real challenge going against top clubs."
Mailbag Question from David Altherr, Columbus, Ohio: How can teams in need of a solid defense – like expansion teams – pass up Paul Coffey? Wouldn't having a veteran defender help in the development of young talent? I listen to Barry Melrose talk about the Penguins and their need of a true defenseman who can pass out of their own zone – why isn't there an interest in Paul Coffey? Is it that his game has slipped that bad, or is it because of his contract? Response: Only a select number teams would even consider Coffey, and no expansion teams are on the list. Why would a young team take a roster spot from a young, developing talent and give it to Coffey? Before he was let go by the Bruins, Coffey didn't help their power play and transition games as much as they had hoped, and he was a liability on defense. A team that needs to play air-tight in its own end cannot afford to have him out there. Coffey would fit in on a high-end team that wanted to bolster the power play and could eat a roster spot to do it. Scouts and front-office people watched how Coffey played in Boston, and simply, he doesn't play well on average to below-average teams. Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com. He can be reached at brian.shactman@espn.com. |
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