Our hockey correspondant, Ian, returns to discuss the slow starting Sharks

After getting bounced last spring by the Detroit Red Wings for another second round playoff collapse, the refrain from the Sharks brass, coaches, and players during the off- and pre-season has been: consistency and resiliency. With twelve games under their belts in this young season, the San Jose Sharks currently sit atop the decidedly mediocre Pacific division, and unfortunately have shown many of the same problems that supposedly led to their playoff exit last year.

Case in point: they've been stomped by the Red Wings in both games they've played so far this year. Sharks fans have been denied a symbolic payback, and the Sharks brass can't be too happy with the way the team played against their Detroit playoff tormenters, either.

The only real consolation so far is that the Sharks have played an NHL-high number of games on the road, and are still a game above .500.

Photo by Jon Swenson of Sharkpage

This last weekend was a good object lesson in exactly how maddening this team is to watch. On Friday they put 47 shots on L.A. Kings netminder Jean-Sebastian Aubin, but still lost 5-2 at home, looking first hungry, then desperate, then laughable, like in a keystone-cops way. The next night, they tightened up their defense and won 3-1 against the Kings on the road.

The Sharks remain a team with loads of talent, and yet another crop of good young players ready to step in and contribute. Perhaps, after a few home games and some practices, things will turn around.

This Fishmonger remains unconvinced, however. The next 5 games are going to be key. If the Sharks don't start gelling as a team, and continue to look lost and disinterested, a coaching change, or a big-trade, or both, could be in the works.

More on the individual players in Part II.