San Jose Sharks

The Sharks entered the NHL in 1991, initially playing at the Cow Palace in Daly City before moving to the San Jose Arena (later SAP Center) in 1993. The early seasons were predictably difficult for the expansion franchise, but the Sharks quickly developed an enthusiastic fanbase drawn to the team's distinctive teal jerseys and the exciting atmosphere at their new arena.

The 1994 playoff upset of the top-seeded Detroit Red Wings was the franchise's first memorable moment, announcing the Sharks as a legitimate team despite their young history. Players like Owen Nolan, Jeff Friesen, and goaltender Arturs Irbe helped build the foundation. The Shark Tank quickly earned a reputation as one of the loudest arenas in the NHL, with the pregame shark head entrance becoming one of hockey's most iconic traditions.

The acquisition of Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins in 2005 was the transformative moment that made the Sharks perennial contenders. Thornton won the Hart Trophy in his first season in San Jose, and alongside Patrick Marleau, the franchise's all-time leading scorer, formed the core of teams that were among the Western Conference's best for over a decade.

The Sharks made the playoffs consistently and won multiple Pacific Division titles, but deep playoff runs were frustratingly rare. The franchise earned an unfortunate reputation for postseason disappointment, with several series collapses dampening the regular season success. However, the consistently high level of play established the Sharks as one of the NHL's model franchises and helped cement hockey as a major sport in the Bay Area.

The 2016 Stanley Cup run was the greatest achievement in franchise history. Led by Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, and Logan Couture, the Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues to reach the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final. Though they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, the run validated decades of competitive hockey in San Jose.

Brent Burns won the Norris Trophy in 2017, and the Sharks remained competitive for several more seasons. The 2019 playoff run featured one of the most memorable moments in NHL history when the Sharks scored four goals on a five-minute power play in Game 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights. However, the window of contention was closing as the core aged.