Since reaching the Western Conference Final in 2019, the San Jose Sharks have failed to qualify for the postseason for three straight seasons. The team has struggled to produce goals in recent years and establish a consistent top-6 at the forward position and goaltending has been an issue up until this season with James Reimer, Adin Hill and Kappo Kahkonen all taking the net.
But throughout the last three slumping seasons for the Sharks, the one saving grace has been the depth at the blue line. With $26.5 million annual average value (AAV) tied up in the top three defenders, the likes of Nikolai Knyzhov, Mario Ferraro, Jaycob Megna and Jacob Middleton have stepped up to fill in the defensive holes that Brendan Dillon and Justin Braun left when they moved on from the team after 2019.