Feb 6: Hertl underwent surgery on Monday and is now starting a long recovery process. He is expected to be ready for next season’s training camp.
Jan 30: Everything has gone completely wrong for the San Jose Sharks this year. Tomas Hertl has suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee and is out for the rest of the season. Hertl was injured on a play that seemed relatively harmless as he and Chris Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks slowly slid into the end boards.
Unfortunately, Hertl’s season comes to an end just a few days after participating in the first All-Star game of his career. The 26-year old forward was named a replacement for teammate Logan Couture who is dealing with a broken ankle, but put on a show in the breakaway challenge, accuracy shooting and 3-on-3 main event.
With 16 goals and 36 points through his first 48 games, Hertl has once again shown that he can be a top-line presence even if the Sharks haven’t been able to win many games this season. He scored 35 goals last year for the Sharks in the first season of a four-year, $22.5MM deal he signed in 2018. The contract seemed to be quite the bargain at this point, but he’ll now have to battle just to be ready for the start of next season.
San Jose now sits with a 22-26-4 record after losing to the Canucks last night and are 26th in league goal scoring. Without Hertl, one of their most dangerous offensive weapons, they will be hard pressed to change that record.
Sharks are in trouble. Big contracts. No major prospects or draft pics to help. Meier hasn’t taken a step forward, and Hertl is starting to put together quite the history of knee injuries. Been so close for so many years, but it looks like even that run of regular season success is on the ropes moving forward.
I think they would be ok if they had a decent goalie. Their guys let in 4-5 goals every game so that’s their biggest problem. Dell has been a little bit better lately but nowhere near good enough for a team that aims to be in the playoffs.
Jones’ contract is terrible.
I do agree that Jones becoming suddenly mediocre last year is probably the biggest issue.
It’s amazing to think where they would be if Dell had been bad this year. He’s been an above average goalie this year, even with a bad start. Martin Jones should play five more games this season, tops. He has the worst contract in the NHL. And it’s not even close.
Huge trade chip down the drain
Hahaha. I love it.