hockeywriters.com file photo: San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson (65) returns to the Sharks to start an eight-year contract. The Sharks are hoping he will be that spark they are looking for.

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh:

#1 Mary, let’s talk about some of the offseason deals the Sharks made and why. Let’s start with Sharks former captain Joe Pavelski. He spent many years in San Jose as their team leader. Was it benefiting to San Jose that they let him go to another team? Did general manager Doug Wilson think Pavelski did him time in San Jose and now it was time for a change?

#2 On Joonas Donskoi’s move to Colorado, Donskoi wanted to explore the free agent market. Did he feel after spending four seasons in San Jose that it was time to leave and what did he feel he was missing in San Jose that made him decide to become a free agent?

#3 Eight years, $92 million, averaging $11 million per season, the Sharks have rooted Erik Karlsson, who came from the Ottawa Senators from last season to join them in San Jose. It look as Karlsson would leave and go back east after last season, but the Sharks general manager Doug Wilson and head coach Peter DeBoer took a real liking to him and offered him the big bucks to stay.

#4 Logan Couture is wearing the captain’s C this season after Pavelski wore it for many seasons. What does being captain of the team mean for Couture and what kind of leadership qualities that Couture has impressed you the most?

#5 The Sharks play their first preseason game on Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. What are some of the things that DeBoer will be looking for in this one?

Mary Lisa Walsh does the Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com