The NHL season is finally upon us, and the San Jose Sharks are about to start their quest for the elusive Stanley Cup. As usual with any new season, there are some changes to the club.

This year, however, that changes starts at the top. Joe Thornton has moved on and plays for the Maple Leafs now, so the team is without his leadership. That’s alright, however. Or at least that’s the plan.

San Jose has Logan Couture to fill those skates, both on the ice and off of it. The Sharks signed him to a multi-year extension that will run through the year 2027, worth about $64 million total.

According to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic, coach Bob Boughner has noticed Couture take an active role in leading the team as its “unquestioned” leader, in the absence of Thornton.

“I’ve seen that not only on the ice, but even talking to him on the side,” Boughner said Sunday. “(After Sunday’s scrimmage), for instance, he pulled me aside and said, ‘Hey, look, did you see my line? We’re still having trouble adjusting to this neutral zone, and I think we need to work on that tomorrow and clean that up.’

“That’s the kind of thing that leaders do.”

The Athletic

Kurz mentions that it will be up to more players than just Couture to step up. But it appears that Couture is prepared to take the lead role. We’ll see how well this new group starts the campaign beginning tonight in Arizona against the Coyotes.

(Photo credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)