Hertl Will Play in World Championships, Says Sharks Need a Scorer

Tomas Hertl made a big commitment to the San Jose Sharks when he re-signed for eight years and $65.1 million dollars in March.

The top center is hoping the Sharks make the commitment back by making the moves necessary to get the team back into the playoffs.

Tomas Hertl — who also brought an adorable guest to his exit interview, son Tobias — talked about committing to play for Czechia at the World Championships, the Sharks’ need to add a scorer, why he liked Bob Boughner’s performance behind the bench, and the team’s final escape room record.

Tomas Hertl, on his personal achievements this season:

Yeah. I can’t lie, it’s always nice to score 30 goals in the NHL, it’s not an easy task. So, it’s always nice to get this achievement, but I think I can be better, a little bit. It was a pretty decent season for me, but I think I can still be better. Help score more goals, be better help to my teammates, and everything.

I’m always looking for the team’s side more than for my own achievements.

Hertl, on when the season fell apart:

I don’t know, [maybe] the bye week.

We had the longest [break], and when we came back, we just couldn’t win. I know we didn’t score goals enough. I think we were almost last across the NHL scoring goals for. We had a really good PK, the power play was up and down, but we just didn’t bury our chances, and you can’t win without scoring goals. I think it was way too many games [where we scored] zero or just one goal.

We have to get better, and it’s everybody, not just veterans or young guys. Everybody [needs to] step it up, and everybody has to work on it because I think we missed a lot of goals this year.

Hertl, on if the Sharks should add another goal-scorer:

Yeah, I think so, [it would] be nice to get another guy because, all the playoff teams, they have 40-50 more goals this season, and that’s a lot of goals.

Sometimes I feel what happened with me and Timo the last couple of months, we both tried to do too much. We tried, and it actually gotten worse.

So I think we need a little help, but at the same time, I want to still be better. I want to still play every night, even if I don’t score, I want to help with other things.

Hertl, on why he’s confident that San Jose Sharks can turn it around quick:

[The front office and I] had some talks on what we have to improve.

We have some young guys hopefully coming up, like [Thomas] Bordeleau. I think he has a lot of skill, and Ecky [William Eklund], hopefully next year.

I think even a lot of guys [in the] last couple months, like Greggy [Noah Gregor and Scott Reedy] really stepped it up. Greggy, [if he buried] a couple chances, he can easily be a 20-goal scorer because he’s got the speed.

There are some positive things, hopefully we will be healthy next year too. We have a little struggle with some big injuries. It’s always tough, but I think there’s some light behind the door.

Hertl, on his off-season plans:

I will play in the World Championships. I’m going to play for my country [for the first time in] seven years, so I’m excited about that. Hopefully, [we will] win something, win some medal. We will try our best, but going there, it’s another month of hockey.

After that I’ll just probably spend some time at home and get ready for the Prague game.

Hertl, on Bob Boughner’s performance:

I think Boogie did a really good job.

We [were just talking] that it wasn’t easy because we [had] so many close games, by one goal. Almost over 20 games, and we just couldn’t bury it.

It’s on the players. It’s not about coaching and stuff.

I think he did a good job with what we’ve got. He’s got our backs, and I think Boogie works everyday, really hard, to make our team better.

Hertl, on cheering Joe Thornton on to win the Stanley Cup:

I would for sure love to see him lift the Cup. It’s something that would make the season better because he just deserves it so much. I know he’s got a really big chance because of Florida, they’re one of the best teams in the NHL.

Hertl, on the Sharks’ final escape room record:

I think we actually missed only two in Canada, so I can’t lie, we said no more in Canada. I think USA has better escape rooms.

I’d say maybe 14-2 or something. It’s pretty impressive.

Hertl, on if the plan on doing escape rooms next year too:

I think so. We’ve been thinking of maybe doing like a last one today or tomorrow. We have to figure out.