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The San Jose Sharks have been more competitive than expected so far this season, holding a 14-12-1 record so far.
While the team’s forward group is still far from being one of the league’s best, Alexander Barabanov and Jonathan Dahlen finding success this season has provided the team with a major boost.
Barabanov was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs last offseason in exchange for forward Antti Suomela, who has yet to play a game with the Maple Leafs. In 31 games since being acquired, Barabanov has managed 20 goals in 31 games with the Sharks, a pace of 53 points per 82 games. He’s provided the team with another option in the middle-six, which given the Sharks lack of high-end offensive talent, means he’s had an opportunity to play with some top talent.
Dahlen, on the other hand, has had some hype around him for quite a while and after dominating Sweden’s second-highest professional league, he joined the Sharks this season. At just 23 years old, he has eight goals and 14 points in 23 games, a pace of 29 goals and 50 points per 82 games.
Of the two, Dahlen is more likely to become a legitimate top-six forward with the team and given his age, it’s highly likely that he’ll get the opportunity to be a long-term fit with the team.
The additions have been hugely important to the Sharks’ competitive start to the season. With only Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier as the team’s real top-six forwards, given Evander Kane’s absence, the two wingers have provided the Sharks with more options. The team does have other top-nine forwards at their disposal, though while Rudolfs Balcers has been a steady top-nine forward, he likely doesn’t have top-six potential, while Kevin Labanc is wildly inconsistent.
While the Sharks are still far from being one of the team’s best offensive teams, they’d be worse off without Barabanov and Dahlen finding success this season.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Sharks on a roll, have won four of last five games
Sharks drop last two games of road trip but remain competitive in Pacific
Sharks sign Brandon Coe
Sharks rally back for win over division-leading Flames
Sharks’ comeback falls short against Wild 
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