Editor's note: CSNCalifornia.com Sharks Insider Kevin Kurz and Postgame Live reporter Brodie Brazil are evaluating the 2011-12 performance of each player on the roster. One breakdown will occur every weekday in numerical order.
Sharks spotlight -- the series
Sharks spotlight: Tommy WingelsAge: 24F
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In 33 games with the Sharks this season, rookie Tommy Wingels had three goals and six assists for nine points and 18 penalty minutes. He had one assist and seven penalty minutes in five playoff games.
Kurz says: Although he played less than half of the games in the regular season, its easy to see why the Sharks organization is high on Wingels. Although he had just nine points, it was evident that Wingels gained some valuable experience this season after he started the year on the NHL roster and was sent to Worcester in mid-October, before returning in January. The 24-year-old plays the game as if every shift is his last, and with a physical edge that forces his opponents to be aware of where he is on the ice. In fact, Wingels had 102 hits in just 33 games, placing him fourth on the team that was last in the league in that category.
Off of the ice, Wingels, the Sharks Masterton nominee, exudes a maturity and confidence well beyond his years.
Brodie says: Wingels is listed as 60, 190lbs, but plays much bigger. Or at least it seemed that way with the Sharks this year. He skates into corners and finishes checks with confidence, creating the energy that is asked of him.
Wingels has only 43 total NHL games to his name in the past two seasons, but has already proven he brings the intangibles to San Jose, with a lot of play (and plays) that do not show up on the scoresheet. The only drawback is that we did not get to see an entire season of Tommys work, as the forward tallied 21 points in 29 games with the Worcester Sharks. The only question moving forward is he kept in a similar role, or given the chance to audition as more of a scoring winger?
San Jose Sharks
As mentioned, Wingels was San Joses nominee for the Masterton this year. His real-life encounters have been extreme learning experiences as a friend of Brendan Burke (deceased team manager, University of Miami-Ohio) and a summer roommate of Daniil Sobchenko (deceased Sharks prospect). GM Doug Wilson has praised Tommys maturity through dealing with these tragedies gracefully.
2012-13 expectations
Kurz says: Wingels may be the most intriguing player heading into next year. Theres a good chance he could crack the top six forwards, depending on what moves the team makes in the offseason. He could also become a mainstay on the power play, after getting time on the Sharks second unit this season. One thing hell have to try to do a better job at is avoiding injury, after he missed 14 games with two separate upper body injuries. That may be difficult provided the way he approaches the game, and the Sharks wont want him to dial down his physicality, but Wingels could probably play with a little bit more caution without sacrificing any of his ability.
Its tough to predict in that hes still early in his career, but a 20-goal season is not out of the question for Wingels.
SLIDESHOW: Grading the Sharks
Brodie says: Wingels is a restricted free agent the Sharks will most certainly bring back. When you consider the lineage of homegrown talent (Pavelski, Couture) Tommy fits the bill of yet another young player with an immense amount of potential in San Jose.
Depending on how the team uses him; the Illinois native will look to take the next step his career this upcoming season. Whether its continuing to grow and contribute on a 3rd or 4th line, or getting the chance to work with the top 6 playing a full season in the NHL will be beneficial for Wingels to get his repitions and make his mark.