How Can Bonino Help Sharks Power Play? | SJHN+

Nick Bonino might bring a perhaps surprising element to the San Jose Sharks next year.

Everybody knows about Bonino’s defensive ability: Since 2013, he’s fifth in the NHL in total short-handed minutes, trailing only Luke Glendening, Travis Zajac, Sean Couturier, and Anze Kopitar.

Everybody knows about his faceoff prowess: He’s won 52.8 % of his draws since 2017.

Everybody knows he’s a winner: He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

But you should also expect Bonino to help the San Jose Sharks’ power play.

And boy, do the Sharks need it. Over the last two seasons, San Jose has sported the fourth-worst PP in the league.

On the surface, however, Bonino seems ill-suited to help any man advantage out. Over the last four years, he hasn’t been productive at all on the power play: His 0.98 Individual Goals Per 60 is 155th of 192 qualified forwards (350+ 5-on-4 minutes), while his 0.16 Primary Assists and 1.46 Points Per 60 are dead last in ths group.

Is this your king?

Bonino, however, might be just what San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner ordered.