Sharks in need of veteran leadership

A "glue" guy is needed
It doesn't matter at which position the Sharks add a veteran leader, the important thing is that they do so since after two months of the season they were last in the Pacific Division. I call these types of experienced veteran leaders "glue" guys as they are the type of players that glue a team together, and hold teammates accountable.

One veteran leader whom the Sharks could make a pitch for if he comes back to play is center Keith Primeau of the Flyers, who has been sidelined since suffering a concussion on Oct. 28. Primeau is still battling post-concussion symptoms, but he says his intent is to eventually return to the ice, and since the Flyers are loaded at center, San Jose might have a shot at him.

Primeau is someone the younger Sharks could really rally around. Wayne Primeau, Keith's younger brother, is in his second full season with San Jose, and management thinks the world of Wayne. That could be incentive for Keith to make a move west.

I also don't believe the Sharks hate losing enough. Everybody loves to win, but not everybody hates to lose. Don't get me wrong. There are a lot of proud players on San Jose. But you can be proud, and you can have a dislike for losing, but that mentality that says losing will never be accepted is special.

And so far this season San Jose hasn't shown me that they hate to lose enough. Keith Primeau is the kind of player and leader who will not allow any one of his teammates to accept losing.   

Season not yet lost
In the past San Jose had brought in veterans from other organizations to help provide examples of character and leadership for the youth on the roster.

But after losing that bunch of veterans in the spring of 2004, management may have miscalculated by figuring the torch had been successfully passed to San Jose's younger players, who with their talent and speed were custom fits for the new NHL. I certainly see where management could make that assumption.

It banked that no one from the outside had to be added, but leadership it turns out is one thing missing from inside the San Jose organization. I think we are seeing that as this season unfolds.

We're only a quarter of the way into the schedule, so despite its disappointing start, San Jose could play its way back into the playoff picture. But that would have a much better chance at happening if a veteran leader was brought aboard.