The San Jose Sharks know their young players can play. Now, with the regular season approaching, the preseason is about finding out who can play like a pro. Who can defend, make the right reads and handle the moments when the game gets difficult.
The Sharks are entering a season where their young players are being asked to take on more responsibility while learning what it takes to play consistently in the NHL. That means more than scoring points. It means defending, making reads, handling mistakes, and building the habits needed to stay in the lineup. San Jose’s younger players were given opportunities in a preseason game that went to overtime and a shootout. The result gave Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky another look at how his players handled different situations.
He has centered his message on that kind of development, challenging players across the lineup to improve while keeping the team’s identity intact.
“You have to be consistent to play in the league and to stay in the league,” Warsofsky said.
The Sharks need those young players to contribute within the team they are building. The way they respond to more responsibility can affect how the lineup comes together, how much the co...