3 questions facing San Jose Sharks

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the San Jose Sharks.

1. How do they move on without Erik Karlsson?

The 33-year-old reigning Norris Trophy winner was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a three-team deal involving the Montreal Canadiens on Aug. 6. Karlsson had 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) in 82 games last season, becoming the sixth defenseman in NHL history and first since Brian Leetch did so with the New York Rangers in 1991-92 (102) to have at least 100 points in a season. Karlsson's 74 even-strength points last season ranked fourth in the NHL.

"Everyone just needs to be a little bit better," Sharks captain Logan Couture said of the departure of Karlsson.

The return included Mike Hoffman, a 33-year-old forward and six-time 20-goal scorer; 31-year-old forward Mikael Granlund; and 33-year-old defenseman Jan Rutta, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2020, 2021). Forward Anthony Duclair was acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers on July 1, two seasons removed from setting NHL career highs in goals (31), assists (27) and points (58) in 74 games, and forward Filip Zadina signed a one-year contract July 10.

"If you look at our lines up front, I think it's pretty solid," Couture said. "Depth wise, we have a lot of players that can play at the NHL level. I think a lot of us are excited to play with each other."

2. Will Filip Zadina find his way in San Jose?

The 23-year-old was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on July 3 and had the final two seasons of his three-year contract terminated. The No. 6 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 30 games last season, when he missed more than three months with a lower-body injury.

Zadina had 82 points (44 goals, 38 assists) in 57 games for Halifax in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2017-18. He has 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 190 NHL games.

"It was tough for me to start from the bottom almost every season," Zadina said, "so I would rather go somewhere else to get the opportunity and prove to myself that I'm still as good of a player as I used to be."

He will get that chance in San Jose.

"If he does that, he's going to take advantage of a great opportunity," Sharks coach David Quinn said. "He and I talked about it … you're going to have an opportunity to do it. That doesn't mean it's going to happen. What you do with that opportunity is up to you."

3. Who emerges as the starting goalie?

Mackenzie Blackwood was acquired from the New Jersey Devils on June 27 for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Sharks hope the 26-year-old overcomes numerous injury issues and shows the form of his combined .916 save percentage from 2018-20.

Blackwood will have to hold off Kaapo Kahkonen, a 27-year-old who with James Reimer, Aaron Dell and Eetu Makiniemi combined for a 3.79 GAA and .881 save percentage that last season ranked 30th and 32nd in the NHL, respectively.

"When you're in our situation, everything's an open competition," Quinn said.