Last February http://www.officialflyersproshop.com/authentic-adidas-shayne-gostisbehere-jersey , the San Jose Sharks made the biggest splash at the NHL trading deadline when they acquired Evander Kane to bolster their offense.And for an encore? They brought aboard arguably the league’s top defenseman to join one who’s consistently among the NHL’s best.With Erik Karlsson in the fold, the Sharks open the 2018-19 season Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center.Article continues below ...San Jose acquired the 28-year-old Karlsson — a two-time Norris Trophy winner — from the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 13 in exchange for defenseman Dylan DeMelo, center Chris Tierney and a package of draft picks and prospects.“It’s extremely rare that players of this caliber become available,” general manager Doug Wilson told the league’s official website on the day of the trade. “The word ‘elite’ is often thrown around casually but Erik’s skillset and abilities fit that description like few other players in today’s game.”The addition of Karlsson — who is eligible for free agency next July — to join fellow Norris winner Brent Burns, 33, gives the Sharks two of the top blueliners in the game and an expected boost on offense.Since his rookie year in 2009-10, Karlsson leads the league in scoring by defensemen with 518 points, while Burns is second with 449. Burns has the most goals at the position in that span with 147. Karlsson tops the list with 392 assists.With a roster that features Joe Pavelski (34 years old) and Joe Thornton (39) coming back from a serious knee injury, San Jose has to be hyped about seeing what the 27-year-old Kane can do over course of a season.Kane, selected fourth overall in the 2009 NHL Draft, never lived up to lofty expectations in nine-plus seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres before being dealt to the Sharks for center Danny O’Regan and draft picks.In 17 games with his new club, Kane collected nine goals — including a career-high four against the Calgary Flames on March 16. In his first postseason action, Kane recorded four goals in nine contests, but the Sharks lost in the second round to the expansion Vegas Golden Knights in six games.Kane signed a seven-year contract extension in May.“We’re not asking him to Travis Konecny Jersey , and we never have asked him to, carry the mail here,” coach Peter DeBoer told the San Jose Mercury News on Sept. 28. “He’s a piece of what we’re doing, and an important piece, but it’s not a situation where if he doesn’t produce, we don’t win.”Anaheim finished one point ahead of San Jose in the regular season, but was outscored 16-4 while being swept by the Sharks in the opening round of the playoffs.This is also a team looking to get younger. For years, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry were synonymous with the Ducks, but both are 33 and heading into their 14th seasons. Getzlaf is coming off a campaign in which he matched a career low with 11 goals, while Perry — a one-time 50-goal scorer — has 36 combined over the last two seasons.It will be a while before Perry takes the ice again. He underwent knee surgery in September and will miss up to five months.“It’s a big blow to our club,” defenseman Cam Fowler told the Orange County Register on Sept. 27. “You feel for Corey, first and foremost. … Unfortunately, it is part of the business and we have to move on.”On Tuesday, the club said emerging star Ondrej Kase — a 20-goal scorer last season — is out indefinitely with a concussion suffered in Saturday’s exhibition finale.All that makes Rickard Rakell more valuable. The 25-year-old winger scored a team-high 34 goals last season to follow up the 33 he tallied in 2016-17. Youngsters such as Max Comtois, Sam Steel and Troy Terry will also need to contribute immediately as veterans Patrick Eaves (shoulder) and Ryan Kesler (hip) continue to heal.One position the Ducks won’t have to worry about is in goal. John Gibson Adam Cracknell Jersey Womens , armed with an eight-year contract extension, is back after collecting a career-best 31 wins. Since 2014-15, the Pittsburgh native is tied for second in the league in save percentage (.923) and ranks third in goals-against average (2.30).Backup Ryan Miller embarks on his 16th NHL campaign and second with Anaheim. He logged 12 wins and a 2.35 goals-against average in 28 games (21 starts) last season.Martin Jones, coming off his third straight 30-win season, will see the bulk of the playing time for San Jose, while backup Aaron Dell (15-5-4, 2.64 GAA, two shutouts) has the skills to start for several teams. We're almost through the first full month of the 2018-19 NHL season, and there have already been a handful of great surprises. And yes, there are plenty of teams that have failed to live up to expectations.There's plenty of hockey to go, however. Some of the struggling teams will start getting hot soon, while a handful of the surprising clubs will slow down before long.For now, here are the power rankings for the week of Oct. 14-20.31. Detroit Red Wings (0-5-2)The Red Wings are off to their worst start since the 1985-86 season, and there's little reason to believe they'll turn a corner. GM Ken Holland is trying to rebuild this team that's loaded with past-their-prime veterans and developing youngsters. It's going to be a long year in the Motor City.advertising30. Florida Panthers (1-2-2)The Panthers finally won their first game of the season on Friday, defeating the Washington Capitals 6-5 in a shootout. More wins must happen before we move them up Wayne Simmonds Jersey , though.29. Arizona Coyotes (2-4-0)The Coyotes lost their first 11 games last season, so they have to be happy with a much better start in 2017-18. They're coming off a 4-2 road win against the surprising Chicago Blackhawks.28. New York Rangers (2-4-1)It's a rebuilding year on Broadway, and the Rangers finally strung together some wins after losing their first three games. Henrik Lundqvist continues to turn back the clock - he has a 2.31 GAA and .930 save percentage.advertising27. St. Louis Blues (1-3-2) Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY SportsThe Blues聽were supposed to be better following the acquisitions of Tyler Bozak, David Perron and Ryan O'Reilly. There's too much talent here for them to hang in the Western Conference basement, but maybe the playoffs聽are a pipe dream?26. Los Angeles Kings (2-4-1)In his first year as Kings' head coach, John Stevens got this team to score more, and they played a faster game. But this year, the Kings look much slower, and the offense is drying up. It might be time to rebuild this roster soon.25. Philadelphia Flyers (3-4-0)The Flyers know all too well about slow starts, and this season is no different. They were embarrassed 6-3 by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday. Is it too soon for them to call up top goalie prospect Carter Hart?advertising24. Buffalo Sabres (3-4-0)The Sabres aren't in the Eastern Conference basement, so they can be happy about that. But once again, Jack Eichel is carrying the offense on his own with five points in seven games. The others need to get going, or it'll be another non-playoff year.23. New York Islanders (3-3-0)The Islanders don't look as bad as we expected. Head coach Barry Trotz deserves credit for getting the most out of this retooling team. Can they continue to surprise, or will problems in the crease eventually catch up to them?22. Vegas Golden Knights (3-4-0)advertisingThe Golden Knights simply need more out of their top players. Only four players have more than a point on the season. Newcomer Max Pacioretty has one goal in seven games. This has not been the encore Vegas fans had hoped for.21. Dallas Stars (3-4-0)The Stars won their first two games and outscored opponents 8-1 in those games. But the same ol' problems on defense and lack of secondary scoring are adding up and leading to losses. A tough six-game Eastern Conference road trip begins on the 28th.20. Minnesota Wild (3-2-2) Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsThe Wild are starting to play better hockey after losing four of their first six games. They escaped with a 2-1 home victory against the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday. Zach Parise is enjoying a nice start with seven points, but will he keep it up?advertising19. Vancouver Canucks (4-3-0)The Canucks come home after a brutal six-game road trip Womens Bryan Rust Jersey , and they took home half the available points. That included wins against the powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins.18. Ottawa Senators (3-2-1)So much for being the NHL's worst team in 2018-19. The Sens are getting tremendous production out of youngsters Brady Tkachuk, Chris Tierney and Maxime Lajoie. The Sens have surprised us before, and maybe 2018-19 is another year of unexpected winning in the nation's capital.17. Edmonton Oilers (3-2-0)Oh, Connor McDavid. Setting NHL records and all. He assisted on or scored the team's first nine goals of the season. The Oilers have won three straight after an 0-2 start, including victories over the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins. Maybe this is the resurgent year some expected.advertising16. San Jose Sharks (3-3-1)Well, the Sharks haven't lived up to the early season expectations. Newcomer Erik Karlsson has just four points in seven games.聽But the Sharks have too much talent to be mediocre. Expect a turnaround any day now.15. Washington Capitals (3-2-2) Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY SportsThe Capitals are experiencing a mild case of the infamous Stanley Cup hangover. They barely held off the New York Rangers on home ice Wednesday - a 4-3 overtime win then fell to the Florida Panthers at home in a shootout. They'll be fine, though. All defending Cup champs go through such a hangover.advertising14. Chicago Blackhawks (3-1-2)After a 2-0 start, the Blackhawks have lost three of their last four games. They've allowed at least three goals in every game this season, which is pretty bad. They need the defencemen and goaltending to step up, or else it will be another non-playoff year.13. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-2-0)Did you see Anthony Duclair's filthy goal against the Philadelphia Flyers? My goodness, this guy has some world class skills. The Jackets, so far, aren't making me look stupid for picking them to win the Metro division.advertising12. Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-2)The Penguins are off to another not-so-great start, but they went into Toronto and shut out the Maple Leafs 3-0. This group will get hot any day now, so Pens haters shouldn't get their hopes up about regression.11. Calgary Flames (4-3-0)Consider the Flames a Stanley Cup sleeper. They had an incredible road comeback win vs. the Colorado Avalanche last Saturday then dominated the Bruins with a 5-2 home victory on Wednesday. New head coach Bill Peters has brought excellent rewards thus far.10. New Jersey Devils (4-1-0)After winning their first four games of the season Josh Jooris Jersey Womens , the Devils fell 5-3 to the Colorado Avalanche. Goalie Keith Kinkaid is off to an amazing start, while Kyle Palmieri has eight points in the first five games.advertising9. Boston Bruins (4-2-1)The Bruins buried a handful of struggling teams on home ice, but they dropped their two road contests in Alberta. The western Canadian road trip ends on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. By the way, their first line is still the best in the NHL.8. Tampa Bay Lightning (4-1-0)See? That home loss to the Vancouver Canucks was nothing to worry about. Of course the Lightning are fine. They're still the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, folks.7. Carolina Hurricanes (4-2-1)The Hurricanes are seeing wonderful rewards from the roster and coaching changes. Sebastian Aho has 12 points through the team's first seven games. What a start for this young man.advertising6. Montreal Canadiens (4-1-1) Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY SportsThey had to trade captain Max Pacioretty, and top defenceman Shea Weber isn't expected to be ready until December. But the Habs' young players and new additions have brought amazing results. They sit at 4-1-1 this season. That includes two wins against the Penguins, who usually mop up the Habs.5.聽Colorado Avalanche (4-1-2)So last season's unexpected run to the postseason wasn't a fluke. The young Avalanche have gotten plenty of production from their top forwards. Mikko Rantanen has 13 points, while Nate MacKinnon has 11. This is going to be another fun year of Mile High City hockey.4. Winnipeg Jets (4-2-1)Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine haven't even hit their respective strides yet. But the Jets are off to another dominant start. Consider them the team to beat in the Western Conference once the big three pick it up.3. Nashville Predators (6-1-0)The Predators look as dominant as ever. They took three of four games on their homestand. Goalie Pekka Rinne has an impressive 2.11 GAA and .929 save percentage. Not bad for a player who's under pressure to perform this season.2. Anaheim Ducks (5-1-1)The Ducks are the top team in the West right now, even though Corey Perry hasn't played yet this season. Is Anaheim overachieving, or are they simply returning to the Pacific Division championship form? We'll find out.1. Toronto Maple Leafs (6-2-0) Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY SportsNo shame in a home loss to the Penguins. The Maple Leafs are the best team in hockey right now. Auston Matthews has 16 points in eight games, and four Leafs have double-digit points. Right now, no team in hockey is on their level, and the Leafs are an easy top choice until/unless someone wants to dethrone them. Good luck.