Martin Havlat could be the key to the Sharks return to the top of the Pacific division as well a return to playoff success.
The Sharks traded Dany Heatley for Martin Havlat last off-season and things didn’t exactly go according to plan for the Czech veteran. Havlat came into the season with a healing shoulder and never found his groove with the Sharks or his line mates. To add insult to injury Havlat suffered a freak hamstring strain while jumping over the boards on a shift change that kept him out of the line-up for forty-one games from Dec. 17 2011 until March 17 2012. During that time the Sharks won twenty games and lost the rest. Albeit not all in regulation time but losses all the same.
Havlat’s numbers while he was healthy enough to play weren’t great but they weren’t all bad, all things considered. He finished the season with 39gp 7g 20a and a plus – 10.
If you look at why the Ottawa Senators 26th pick from the 1999 draft didn’t fare well in teal you must first off know that Martin was unable to participate in any pre-season skates with his new team mates. If he were not traded and was returning to his old team this may not be a big deal, but when a player has joined a new organization it is imperative that he has some familiarity with the new cast and crew. Even if he were able to skate in August in the unorganized shinny games that would have been beneficial, however that wasn’t the case. Learning systems and positioning in the class room and on the ice are two different things and as well prepared as one can be from studying there is no substitution for the real deal especially with the speeds that the NHL game is played at.
Throughout the regular season it appeared that Havlat was unable to find a comfort zone with his alternating line mates. Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture took turns in the middle and the winger center man relationship is one that takes time form; at least the successful ones do.
The main reason for the team’s slump with Havlat out of the line-up was there was nobody that properly replaced the skill level that he brought when he was healthy. Tommy Wingels was able to bring some grit but that isn’t what that line required. Torrey Mitchell has great speed but his hands have never been able to keep up with his feet so that project was a miss. There was just nobody in the depths of the organization that was talented enough to fill the role.
Ryane Clowe provides plenty of sandpaper on the left side and as good as he can be he will never be known for his finesse. The team needs that other skill guy who can move up to the top two lines when someone goes down with injury. When Havlat was out and a depth player was forced to move up, it put all the other skaters who were forced to move out of their comfort zones as well. The reality is that even if Havlat isn’t lighting the lamp every night, his presence allows everybody else to stay in their familiar roles.
This means that his ability to stay healthy is more important for the team than the points he puts on the board, or they need to find an up and comer skilled player who can step in when needed. This doesn’t mean that the replacement has to fill the score sheet every night, although that would be nice but that the line as a whole doesn’t miss a step when Havlat isn’t out.
The Sharks lack that next skilled player to take over as a top six forward because they have been buyers at the trade deadline for the past eight years and it is difficult to re-stock the minor system with these types when you have to trade them away every February to make a run at the Cup.
The player the Sharks need is out there he just hasn’t surfaced yet. Within the organization T.J Galiardi could be a guy who rediscovers himself and with the Sharks is as good of an opportunity as he will have. He was a second round pick and has shown some spirit in his game while playing with the Avalanche. He will most likely start on the third line but could see some second line action or second power play time this season. It would be ideal for both Galiardi and the Sharks if he were able to live up to the potential that made him the 55th choice in the 2007 draft.
There are also players out there who didn’t get along with coaches or just didn’t fit into the team philosophy who could help the Sharks in the role as a skilled depth player. Joffrey Lupul was traded from the Ducks to the Maple Leafs and became a point a game player in Toronto before being injured last season. Wayne Simmonds went from a career high of sixteen goals in LA to twenty-eight as a Flyer last year.
To sum things up Martin Havlat’s importance to the team’s success this season whether he is scoring or not should not be overlooked or under appreciated. His presence on the ice and skill if nothing else, opens up the ice for others around him.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Cam Gore
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»