Should the Sharks Retire Logan Couture's Jersey?

With the Captain’s playing career finished, could 39 be headed to the SAP Center rafters soon?

Last week was tough for Sharks fans. Not only did the team end the season being shut out at home, but Captain Logan Couture announced his playing career was over. Widely speculated, but still a bit of a sting to fans.

In the last couple of years, the Sharks have retired 12 and 19: Patrick Marleau, Mr. San Jose Shark himself. Joe Thornton is one of the greatest playmakers in hockey history.

There have been debates over who is eligible to join them.

Owen Nolan’s #11, Evgeni Nabokov’s #20, and Joe Pavelski’s #8 are three that fans have debated.

Personally, I believe the #8 has a better chance of being retired. However, #39 has joined the conversation.

Making the Case For Retiring No. 39

As stated before, Couture is still technically the Captain of the Sharks. Simply wearing the “C” does not guarantee a jersey retirement, but it is a significant honor. It is the most obvious mark of a leader. The guy in the dressing room and on the ice, the other skaters look to – the face of the franchise.

Couture earned the captaincy by being that leader, but he was also a damn good skater. If you were to look at playoff point scorers in the 2010s, Sidney Crosby would be at the top of the list. Second, Logan Couture. He also ranked third in the decade in goals. That man was clutch.

Couture also spent his entire career solely with the Sharks. 15 season, 933 career games. 323 career goals, 378 assists. In franchise history, he ranks fifth in games played and assists, third in goals and game-winning goals, and fourth in total points. On top of the offensive statistics, Couture was also a mainstay on the penalty kill.

The Case Against Retiring No. 39

Despite being near the top of almost every offensive stat in franchise history, Couture has never been a finalist for a season award. He did make the all-rookie team in 2010-11, but finished second in the Calder race. He was selected to only one all-star game as well.

With his playing career finished as early as it has, that could also keep 39 out of the rafters. 13 full seasons with the Sharks, plus two other partial seasons. Technically, that gives Couture 15 seasons, but somehow it does not feel like it. Had he been able to play two or three more seasons, the debate would be much more one-sided.

Patty and Jumbo are sure-fire Hall of Fame players. This summer will be Thornton’s first time on the ballot, Marleau’s second. Both of them have etched their names into NHL history, thus making it much more obvious that their numbers deserve to be retired. Couture, on the other hand? I do not have the same confidence that he will be in the Hockey Hall of Fame.