Sharks have the pieces in place for a memorable season

The season of grand expectations is upon the Sharks.

A late-summer deal to acquire premier defenseman Erik Karlsson has made San Jose a sexy choice to win the Stanley Cup. Prognosticators are sold on Karlsson’s offensive skills meshing with Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to give the Sharks — on paper, anyway — one of the best blue lines of all-time.

The experts like San Jose’s forward threats Evander Kane, Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton with young stars Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier and Joonas Donskoi offering offensive support.

Sprinkle in a solid goaltending tandem led by steady Martin Jones, roster depth along with elite special teams and — voila! — color this season teal.

If it were only that easy.