While many questioned their offseason moves, myself included, the San Jose Sharks are off to a great start, and can be described as nothing less than the league’s best so far. While the New York Rangers have tallied 21 points, to the Sharks’ 20, the Rangers also started their season in Europe, and have played two more games. The Sharks have been efficient on defense, playing well in front of Evgeni Nabokov, while their typically lethal offense has lived up to form. 
The Sharks have made short work of many of their opponents, losing only 2 games thus far this season. After the loss of coach Ron Wilson, the addition of former Red Wings’ assistant Todd McLellan may be the piece that the Sharks need to finally go over the hump. Veteran defensemen Rob Blake and Dan Boyle have helped the Sharks on defense, as San Jose has given up only 28 goals, while they’ve scored 42.
San Jose will need to do more than win in October, however, if they hope to make their mark on this league. For the past few seasons, they have progressed no further than the second round of the playoffs. Perhaps with McLellan’s leadership, combined with the playoff experience of players like Blake and Boyle, 2009 may be the year of the Sharks.