Bordeleau’s Hockey IQ Stands Out in NHL Debut

Thomas Bordeleau’s NHL debut was a bright spot in the San Jose Sharks’ 10th straight defeat Sunday night.

San Jose’s 2020 second-round draft pick, just out of Michigan, notched his first NHL point, an assist, in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild.

However, it wasn’t enough to keep the franchise from its longest losing streak since they dropped 10 straight from Nov. 5 to Nov. 30, 2005. If they lose to Columbus this Tuesday, it will be the Sharks’ longest losing streak since their expansion era. In their first two years in the league, the San Jose Sharks had losing streaks of 17 and 13 three times.

But back to the future: What stood out about Bordeleau on Sunday night? What might be real about the top San Jose Sharks prospect?

My main takeaway: The 20-year-old’s hockey IQ is high.

You could see this even on the plays that didn’t work.

As Bordeleau (23) approaches the puck behind the net – it’s hard to see, but his eyes are trained on right winger Noah Gregor (73). But that’s not where he’s going with the puck.

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