Sharks spotlight: Benn Ferriero

Editor's note: Over the next month, CSNCalifornia.com Sharks Insider Kevin Kurz and Postgame Live reporter Brodie Brazil will evaluate the 2011-12 performance of each player on the roster. One breakdown will occur every weekday in numerical order.

Sharks spotlight -- the seriesSharks spotlight: Benn FerrieroAge: 25RWIn his third NHL season, all with the Sharks, Benn Ferrierohad seven goals and one assist for eight points in 35 games. He was third onthe team in game-winning goals (four) and his seven goals was a career high. Hedid not see any action in the playoffs, and is a restricted free agent.Kurz says: Although Ferriero didnt make the openingnight roster he quickly made an impression when he was recalled from Worcesteron Oct. 20. Just two days later, he scored the tie-breaking, game-winning goalin the third period against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins inhis hometown.
Unfortunately, that was the high point of Ferrieros season.Despite some injuries up front, Ferriero once again failed to secure a regularplace in the lineup and was not particularly effective even when he was in. Hislast game of the season, and perhaps his Sharks career, came on March 20 in LosAngeles as he sat for the final nine games of the season and the playoffs.RELATED: Benn Ferrieros statssplitsgame logs
Brodie says: Ferriero had that noticeable knack for scoring the critical goal; more thanhalf his markers directly helped the Sharks win a game. Quite a reputation to have. NHL opportunity for the Boston-native came in3 distinct segments this season: A 4-game span in October, 25 games in Decemberthrough February, and 6 more games during 8 days in March.
Ferrieros 25 game streak began in direct response to MartyHavlats hamstring injury in that time he scored 6 goals, with ice timefluctuating anywhere between 7 and 17 minutes per game. It was clearly his most productive portion ofthe season, as in the final 6 games, his shifts and time were dramatically cut,and Benn did not register a point. Ferriero demonstrated similar traits as in the 2 priorseasons: he works hard, he skates hard, and he can be pesky to opponents aroundthe crease. In retrospect, it would havebeen nice to see 78 unquestionably thrive in that window of opportunity he wasgiven, during the Havlat injury. 2012-13 expectationsKurz says: Although Ferriero served as a depth forward thisseason, its a good bet that the Sharks will decide to part ways with the25-year-old after three seasons of getting shuttled between San Jose andWorcester. Ferriero has had ample opportunity to establish himself as aneveryday NHL player, but it just hasnt happened. Its time to give someoneelse a shot.SLIDESHOW: Grading the Sharks
Brodie says: Ferriero has proven his skills in the AHL,scoring 103 points in 121 games with the Worcester Sharks. But for whatever reason, that offensivemomentum hasnt been able to translate over into the NHL. If the Sharks decide to make a qualifyingoffer to the restricted free agent, naturally theyre going to expectstatistical strides from the forward. Itis also interesting to note that Benns younger brother Cody Ferriero was selected127th overall in the 2010 draft by San Jose, and currently plays forNortheastern University.
Up next: Brent Burns