Boughner on How He’ll Use D Differently Than DeBoer, Sharks Miss Jumbo

The San Jose Sharks opened training camp in Scottsdale this morning.

It’s a new world for the Sharks, who haven’t played since mid-March. They missed the NHL’s playoff bubble, can’t host training camp in San Jose, and franchise staple Joe Thornton chose Maple Leaf blue over teal in free agency.

Erik Karlsson illustrated some of this new reality, when asked about the team’s routine: “It starts with getting tested every morning. It’s everyday testing. We have breakfast here at the hotel. We get changed here then go to the facilities. We work out and skate. We come back here, shower in our own rooms. After that, I haven’t figured it out because it’s 12:45 here.”

Karlsson talked about his expectations for himself after a tough year, Brent Burns went off on his experience shooting “Vikings”, Tomas Hertl claimed to have bigger legs, Logan Couture spoke on what has to change this pre-season after back-to-back poor San Jose starts to the season, and Bob Boughner clued us in on how the Sharks will attack differently this year. And they all miss Jumbo.

Great Expectations for Karlsson, Burns Talks “Vikings”

Hertl Claims He Has “Bigger Size Legs”, Couture Says Sharks Must Have Quick Start

BOUGHNER ON ACTIVATING THE D

In November, San Jose Hockey Now posited how Bob Boughner was going to change up the San Jose Sharks’ attack:

How Boughner Used Burns Differently & What That Means Next Year

Essentially, Boughner wants to activate Burns and Karlsson more in the offensive zone, less along the blueline. He said in March: “The way we’re playing [Burns now], attacking down low below the tops of the circles, that’s an advantage for our D.”

The head coach confirmed SJHN’s prediction this afternoon.

“We’ve always encouraged our D to get up the ice, be that extra attacker on the rush. What I’m talking about is more activating our D in the offensive zone, jumping into holes, not being so stationary, waiting for that low-to-high pass, D-to-D pass. We want our D to be on their toes,” Boughner said. “I’m going to encourage all our D to be a lot more active in the offensive zone.”

This is a fascinating change. Peter DeBoer emphasized the blueline being involved in the offense, but more from the point. Boughner will be asking all of his defensemen, not just Burns and Karlsson, to think more like forwards.

As for the forwards themselves, they’ll need to pay extra attention and cover for Burns and Karlsson and other defenders when they’re roving.

“There’s hard rules that we’re going to be implementing into the system,” Boughner explained. “The forwards are going to have to take a lot of onus and be responsible for coverage if the D goes down.”

A JUMBO-SIZED HOLE

Burns says he Facetimed with Thornton today: "It sucks."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2020

Hertl, on Thornton not being at #SJSharks camp for the first time in 15 years: "It's a little bit more quiet."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2020

"I miss him."

Couture says Athletic article with old Thornton stories almost brought tears to his eyes.

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 31, 2020