Yet again, the San Jose Sharks had a competitive year, reaching the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, though they suffered a seven-game loss to Los Angeles in the second round of the playoffs. Off-Season Game Plan looks at a Sharks team that figures to be contenders again next year, but the window of opportunity is closing for the teams core. While contract extensions could get worked out this summer, as it stands right now, Sharks veterans Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle are all set to be unrestricted free agents at the end of the 2013-2014 season. With all but Pavelski (who is most likely to get extended) in their mid-30s at that point, the coming season could be the last best shot for this group to win. "Were not a team thats going to miss the playoffs for five or seven years and go into a rebuild," GM Doug Wilson told CSN Bay Area. "We dont believe in that. We want to reset on the fly." The Sharks have pieces in place that should allow them to remain competitive as they transition from a team led by Thornton and Marleau to one led by Pavelski, Logan Couture and Brent Burns, but if they are going to win a Stanley Cup in 2014, theyre probably going to have to be aggressive in their attempts to add talent. The current core has established that it is competitive, good enough to win a few rounds in the playoffs, but if this is the final season for some of those long-tenured Sharks, will they be good enough to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender? The TSN.ca Rating is an efficiency rating based on per-game statistics including goals and assists -- weighted for strength (ie. power play, even, shorthanded) -- plus-minus, hits, blocked shots, giveaways, takeaways, penalty differential and faceoffs. (Stats are listed in this format: G-A-PTS, +/-, PIM, GP). Generally, a replacement-level player is around a 60, a top six forward and top four defenceman will be 70-plus, stars will be over 80 and MVP candidates could go over 90. Sidney Crosby finished at the top of the 2013 regular season ratings with a 93.65. Salary cap information all comes from the indispensable www.capgeek.com. GM/COACH Doug Wilson/Todd McLellan Returning Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit Logan Couture 76.75 48 21 16 37 +7 $2.875M Joe Pavelski 75.08 48 6 5 11 +5 $4.0M Joe Thornton 72.15 48 7 33 40 +6 $7.0M Patrick Marleau 71.88 48 17 14 31 -2 $6.9M Brent Burns 69.37 30 9 11 20 0 $5.76M Raffi Torres 64.28 39 7 11 18 0 $2.0M Martin Havlat 64.07 40 8 10 18 +7 $5.0M Tommy Wingels 60.90 42 5 8 13 -9 $775K Adam Burish 52.86 46 1 2 3 -7 $1.85M Free Agent Forwards Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class 12-13 Cap Hit T.J. Galiardi 63.52 36 5 9 14 +1 RFA $950K Scott Gomez 58.29 39 2 13 15 -10 UFA $700K Tim Kennedy 58.04 13 2 0 2 -3 UFA $675K James Sheppard 54.51 32 1 3 4 -9 RFA $825K Andrew Desjardins 53.59 42 2 1 3 -6 RFA $640K Sharks Forwards Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com Rising star Logan Couture has scored 84 goals in the last three seasons, which is tied for seventh in that time. The 24-year-old has already agreed to a contract extension that will carry through 2019, so hes a cornerstone piece for the franchise. A tremendous two-way player, Joe Pavelski faded after a quick start (12 points in seven games), only to rebound in the postseason, leading the Sharks with 12 points in 11 games. Pavelski finished with his lowest points per game (0.65 ppg) and time on ice (18:55) since 2007-2008. At 33-years-old, Joe Thornton isnt as prolific a scorer as he once was, with last seasons 0.83 points per game his lowest since 1999-2000 (his 18:23 time on ice per game as his lowest since 1998-1999), but Thornton remains an elite puck possession player and has been getting more credit for his defensive play in recent seasons. Over the last five seasons, Patrick Marleau has scored 166 goals; only Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos have more. Like Thornton, Marleau is 33, his most productive days are behind him and hes going into the final year of his contract, but hes a first-rate scorer and that talent cant be ignored. Moved to forward after spending the vast majority of his career on defence, Brent Burns was suddenly a scoring star, tallying nine goals and 20 points in 24 games. That didnt carry over the postseason, but there is understandable temptation to see what a guy who goes 6-foot-5 with soft hands could do in a power forward role. The question for the Sharks is whether Burns offensive production is worth losing a top pair defenceman. One of the leagues most devastating hitters, Raffi Torres was acquired from Phoenix and impressed enough in his late-season and playoff showings to get a new three-year contract. Hes always a suspension risk, but is also capable of contributing secondary offence, with seven double-digit goal-scoring seasons. Injuries may have caught up to Martin Havlat, as the 32-year-old has only 45 points in 79 games in two seasons with the Sharks. After playing only 15:51 per game, his lowest since 2001-2002, Havlat is a prime candidate for a compliance buyout because his production doesnt warrant a $5-million salary cap hit. (edit: He would have been a prime candidate if not for surgery on his pelvic area.) Tommy Wingels is a physical checking forward, but he struggled in puck possession terms last season, suggesting that he either has to be better or may not be suited for the more than 14 minutes per game he played in 2013. While Adam Burish may be highly-regarded as a teammate, hes outrageously compensated for the quality of play he provided last season. A player that broke into the league with 214 penalty minutes in 81 games in 2007-2008, Burish had 25 penalty minutes in 46 games last season. Penalties arent a positive, but that does suggest Burishs level of aggression has gone way down. A decent checking winger, T.J. Galiardi was skating on the Sharks top line at the end of the season, which is more a reflection on the Sharks forward situation than a glowing recommendation for his offensive prowess. Galiardi has his best season as a rookie, in 2009-2010 with Colorado, and hasnt had near the ice time or production since. Out of the league for two years due to injuries sustained in an ATV accident, James Sheppard earned a spot with the Sharks after scoring 23 points in 32 AHL games last season. He didnt produce much but, after his layoff, its probably worth seeing what he can for a full season. An aggressive fourth-line forward, Andrew Desjardins has 23 points in 135 career games, so his contributions are limited, but the versatile forward is useful in a depth role. The Sharks may have an opening for a scoring forward, particularly if they find a way to unload Martin Havlats contract. A scoring winger like Brad Boyes, Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Daniel Briere or Mason Raymond could come at a reasonable price. Returning Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Cap Hit Dan Boyle 73.67 46 7 13 20 +3 $6.667M Matt Irwin 68.16 38 6 6 12 -1 $1.0M Brad Stuart 65.65 48 0 6 6 +4 $3.6M Marc-Edouard Vlasic 64.48 48 3 4 7 +5 $4.25M Justin Braun 62.20 41 0 7 7 -5 $1.25M Free Agent Defence Player Rating GP G A PTS +/- Class 12-13 Cap Hit Scott Hannan 63.39 33 0 1 1 -14 UFA $1.0M Jason Demers 61.82 22 1 2 3 -4 RFA $1.25M Sharks Defence Usage Chart from somekindofninja.com Its possible that, at 36-years-old with 979 (regular season plus playoff) games on his resume, there might be an inclination to believe that Dan Boyle has lost a step; after all his point production (0.43 ppg) was at his lowest rate since 2001-2002 and his ice time, 22:48 per game, was his lowest since 2003-2004. However, even in a lesser role, Boyle had superb puck possession numbers and with Burns shifting up front, his offensive ability is needed on the Sharks blueline. A 25-year-old rookie, Matt Irwin stepped into the San Jose lineup and played like a seasoned pro, with strong possession metrics and a bomb from the point that helped him snipe four of his six goals on the power play. 33-year-old Brad Stuart returned to San Jose a much different defenceman than when he left as a 26-year-old, in the Joe Thornton trade, but hes a reliable top-four defenceman, even if its in a strictly defensive role at this stage of his career. From the moment he arrived in the league as a 19-year-old, Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been a steady defensive defenceman, but he also played a career-low 20:49 per game last season, his ice time declining in April, but hes a 26-year-old who has missed two games or fewer in six of his seven seasons and he takes on tough defensive assignments regularly. Justin Braun has improved steadily and played a career-high 18:48 per game in his third season and while his possession numbers werent as strong as previous years, Braun was also handling a higher level of competition. Wrist, head and ankle injuries contributed to Jason Demers playing only 22 games last season, and he wasnt terribly effective in those games. He has been a decent puck-moving defenceman in 205 career games, but could use a healthy season with good production to get back on track. While the Sharks could upgrade their defence, they could also move ahead with in-house options, giving Matt Irwin, Justin Braun and prospect Matt Tennyson more ice time. If they dont bring back Scott Hannan, then adding a veteran to provide depth would make some sense. Returning Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Cap Hit Antti Niemi 82.91 43 24 12 6 2.16 .924 $3.8M Free Agent Goaltender Player Rating GP W L OTL GAA SV% Class 12-13 Cap Hit Thomas Greiss 69.79 6 1 4 0 2.53 .915 UFA $588K A Vezina Trophy finalist, Antti Niemi had a career-best .924 save percentage while playing more minutes (2581) than any other goaltender in 2013. In three seasons with the Sharks, Niemi has a .919 save percentage, ranking seventh among goaltenders with at least 100 games over that span. If the Sharks cant get economical backup Thomas Greiss re-signed, they will have to find a new second-team tender. If the Sharks intend to stick with an inexpensive option in that spot, Al Montoya might be the best bet, with Dan Ellis, Jason LaBarbera and Mathieu Garon likely to cost more among the backups on the market. Top Prospects Player Pos. Team/League Stats Tomas Hertl C Slavia Praha (CZE) 18-12-30, +5, 43 GP Matt Tennyson D Worcester (AHL) 5-22-27, -6, 60 GP Matt Nieto LW Boston University HE) 18-19-37, +5, 39 GP Chris Tierney C London (OHL) 18-39-57, +6, 68 GP Konrad Abeltshauser D Halifax (QMJHL) 7-47-54, +35, 56 GP Taylor Doherty D Worcester (AHL) 1-9-10, -2, 40 GP Freddie Hamilton C Worcester (AHL) 13-13-26, -9, 76 GP Danny ORegan C Boston University (HE) 16-22-38, +2, 39 GP Rylan Schwartz C Colorado College (WCHA) 20-33-53, +10, 41 GP Daniil Tarasov RW Worcester (AHL) 14-14-28, even, 43 GP A playmaking forward with good size, Tomas Hertl was the 17th overall pick last summer and has had a couple of strong seasons in the Czech League, scoring 55 points in 81 games as a teenager. He should get a chance to show his stuff in North America next season. A 23-year-old defenceman signed out of Western Michigan, Matt Tennyson had a strong first pro campaign, earning a four-game trial with the Sharks. The right-shot blueliner has good size, makes a good first pass and could be ready for regular NHL duty soon. Speedy winger Matt Nieto turned pro following his junior year at BU, where he had 79 points in 76 games over his last two seasons, scoring six points in 11 games for Worcester at seasons end. Given time in the AHL, the 2011 second-round pick should be ready for his chance in the NHL before long. A second-round pick last summer, Chris Tierney has made steady improvement, and scored 21 points in 21 playoff games for the Knights. He should play a prominent role in junior next season. A 6-foot-5 defenceman with offensive skills, Konrad Abeltshauser scored 74 points in 73 (regular season plus playoff) games in 2012-2013. The Sharks have some young defencemen pushing for playing time, so Abelshauser should have some time to develop in the AHL. 6-foot-8 blueliner Taylor Doherty hasnt put up big numbers in his first two pro seasons, but with that size, hes eventually going to get a chance to play in a shutdown role. A solid two-way player, Freddie Hamilton made modest point production in his first pro season, but the 21-year-old is doing a lot of things right, so once the points come in the AHL, he could get his opportunity to move up. Taken in the fifth round of the draft last summer, Danny ORegan scored nearly a point-per-game as a freshman at BU. If that production carries forward, hell be a nice asset a couple years down the road. An undrafted free agent signing out of Colorado College, Rylan Schwartz had 93 points in 76 games through his junior and senior seasons, adding four points in seven games for Worcester at the end of the year. A Russian winger who played in the USHL, Daniil Tarasov was on an AHL deal and spent some time in the ECHL last year too, but his point production as a first-year pro makes him worth watching. The Sharks have some other prospects of note including defencemen Dylan DeMelo and Sena Acolatse as well as right winger Eriah Hayes, a 6-foot-4 winger signed as a free agent after scoring 20 goals for Minnesota State-Mankato. DRAFT 20th - Curtis Lazar, Andre Burakovsky, Fredrik Gauthier. FREE AGENCY According to www.capgeek.com, the Sharks have approximately $56.7M committed to the 2013-2014 salary cap for 15 players. Check out my possible Sharks lineup for next season on Cap Geek here. Needs: One top six forward, two defencemen. What I said the Sharks needed last year: One top nine forward, depth forwards, one top four defenceman. They added: Scott Gomez, Adam Burish, Brad Stuart. TRADE MARKET Martin Havlat, T.J. Galiardi, Jason Demers. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Jordan Retro 5 For Sale Cheap . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Cheap Jordan 5 Retro . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.cheapairjordan5.com/ . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. Retro 5 Air Jordans For Sale . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Wholesale Jordan Retro 5 . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Five of ESPN.coms MLB beat writers who cover teams battling for wild-card berths were asked to make a case for why their team will be playing a do-or-die playoff game in October. Below, Andrew Marchand argues for the New York Yankees?against fellow writers Eddie Matz (Baltimore Orioles), Mark Saxon (St. Louis Cardinals), Katie Strang (Detroit Tigers) and Adam Rubin (New York Mets).For more on the other contenders, check out?Wild-card Wednesday.Marchand: For those who think the Yankees will take the wild card, the logic is simple -- they are playing as well as anyone in baseball right now. Despite the fact they have a brutal schedule, those who believe the Yankees will succeed think that going 13-5 in their final 18 games will be no problem. I tend to doubt the Yankees can get to the 89 or 90 wins it will take to win a wild card, but if they go into their final three games against the Orioles with a chance to make the playoffs, that will be a pretty significant accomplishment in itself.Matz: If Marchand himself cant even defend the team he covers (I tend to doubt the Yankees ...), then theres no need ffor me to pile on.dddddddddddd My work here is done.Saxon: Remind me not to hire you if Im looking for someone to sell my house. Those who believe? You were supposed to believe, Andrew. That was the assignment! Since you dont, I dont either.Strang: I imagine the sort of success the Yankees have had since selling off assets at the trade deadline isnt something anyone would have predicted, but eventually the joyride must end. Youth and inexperience will leave the Yanks exposed as the playoff race heats up, with a slew of games against divisional opponents also desperate to nail down a playoff spot.Rubin: Gary Sanchez might be a nice story, but the Yankees simply do not have the pitching horses to get to the 89 to 90 wins it will take to earn a wild-card spot in the American League this year. Furthermore, while playing the teams ahead of them in the standings in a simple sense might seem like an opportunity, it realistically means the Yankees have too steep an uphill battle. 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