Phoenix Sports Today

Phoenix Sports News Continuously Updated

San Jose Sharks Depth Is Underrated

by

The San Jose Sharks in 2024-25 are known for their lack of winning and top-performing rookies. An area that is not talked about as much is the underrated players who impact the team and players. Due to their lack of points this season, they are overlooked as being effective, when in fact they provide a sense of backbone for the team.

San Jose Sharks Depth Centre Flies Under the Radar

The Sharks focus their attention on top rookies and experienced veterans, focusing on their stats and their goals scored per game. However, games are not won just with star rookies, there are players behind the scenes helping set the plays and execute them. Ty Dellandrea is in his first season with the San Jose Sharks and is to be a highly undervalued player.

The 24-year-old center signed a two-year contract for $2.6 million in June of 2024 after being traded by Dallas. When looking at the stat sheet for the team, Dellandrea has six points, which should not justify his importance in the game. He is not a flashy player or a high-scoring forward, but he provides enforcement when the team requires it.

Dellandrea is great on penalty kills, holds a strong work ethic, and is great off faceoffs. His ability to be all over the ice, going under the radar, and not being afraid to take hits helps the team. He has become a reliable and consistent bottom-six player who can come in and make plays happen without being extravagant.

A high draft pick as 13th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, taken by the Dallas Stars. Dellandrea has made the playoffs during his time with the Stars, scoring twice in game five and helping beat the Golden Knights. He spent four years in Dallas before joining the Sharks. He has battled two injuries this season, which have kept him out of 16 games. When he is healthy and playing, he has been crucial to the offensive line and helping set up his teammates on plays.

Sharks Winger Is Not Flashy but Has Proven to Be an Asset

Like Dellandrea, Carl Grundstrom is not flashy but provides a strong presence during games. He holds many skills and abilities that make him fly under the radar, the same as Dellandrea. He plays a great two-way game, delivers hits, is effective on the backcheck, and contributes defensively.

Grundstrom is shuffled among lines, which causes him to appear inconsistent on the ice. The constant shuffling among linemates has made it difficult for others to see his contributions. He was signed by the Sharks in June of 2024, being traded from the Los Angeles Kings. He has six points this season in San Jose, which is average when looking at his records.

Grundstrom has only played in 39 games this season, taking some time out due to multiple injuries. He does have room to improve in areas that provide more scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He has been a reliable bottom-six forward who has fast skating abilities and is a strong player during games.

San Jose Could Use Their Underrated Players Beneficially if They Know How

Grundstrom and Dellandrea are not the only players who make quiet moves as San Jose Sharks depth forwards. Multiple players have become major assets to the team who have just quietly made their impact. The Sharks are not an aggressive team, but with players such as Dellandrea and Grundstrom, the team has been more physical this last half of the season.

The Sharks played their fourth game of their road trip against the Ottawa Senators last night. They have lost their first three games back from the break, and that game made it four. They have opened scoring up in all three games before Shane Pinto opened the scoring last night. The Sharks did come back to be up 2-1, but ultimately Ottawa was too determind.

Main Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

The post San Jose Sharks Depth Is Underrated appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.