Dear San Jose Sharks: Treat Jamie McGinn Like Part Of The Team

Through the jungle of big-name players and a glistening 28-9-7 record, many of you might be unfamiliar with the name Jamie McGinn.

But the Sharks, their fans, and McGinn's travel agent have gotten to know him well this season.

Last season and earlier this season, San Jose gave the 21-year-old McGinn a chance to get a taste of NHL action to see what he could do.

In 35 games last season, "Ginner" netted four goals and two assists. Through 38 games this season, McGinn has seven goals and one assist.

Whenever McGinn scores this season, the Sharks are undefeated. That stat probably doesn't mean very much, but it's a nice little nugget to have on his resume.

During San Jose's nine games that No. 64 didn't play in, he was spending his time with the Sharks' AHL affiliate in Worcester.

Over the past season and a half now, McGinn would often get recalled to the big leagues and cycle through the same process repeatedly: Get called up, play well for a few games, hit a lull, then get sent back down to the minors.

There is no doubt that San Jose's 6-0', 195-pound forward has great ability at such a tender age and with such minimal experience. But he had lacked the constant effort that it takes to stay in the NHL.

San Jose Sharks columnist from the San Jose Mercury News , Mark Emmons, wrote a column the other day about Scott Nichol and his style of play. Emmons wrote, "Nichol has treated each game like he's in mortal fear of being sent back down."

This is what Jamie McGinn lacked.

After a few call-ups this season, something finally clicked for the second round, 36th overall pick in 2006. McGinn added constant hustle, determination, and tenacity to his raw skill.

It was already plain to see that McGinn possessed a quick shot and blazing speed, but he has quickly become a more complete, intense player.

The process of getting the third line forward to play like this night in and night out was a process. But I used the word "already" because he's still just 21 years old.

McGinn has become noticeable in just about every game for the Sharks, whether he scores a goal or not. His attention to detail when it comes to winning battles on the boards, backchecking hard, and getting to the front of the net has made the young Canadian-born player become a constant in San Jose's lineup.

But here's my argument.

Even though McGinn has been exceptional for the Sharks this season, they continue to send him back and forth between San Jose and Worcester between games.

I thoroughly understand why general manager Doug Wilson wanted to do this. He and head coach Todd McLellan probably wanted McGinn to get as much actual game experience as possible so that he could continue to improve and stay sharp.

However, team teal has continued to go through this dance with him. At this point, I'm not sure why.

McGinn has been an important player for the Sharks this season and has proven that he has what it takes to be a mainstay on the roster. Unless I'm missing something, it seems to me that McGinn will benefit more from staying with San Jose and practicing with the NHL every day rather than putting in time at Worcester or Stockton in the ECHL.

Staying with the big league team to practice between games will allow him to gain chemistry with his teammates and continue to get acclimated to the NHL level.

Practicing with the likes of Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Blake, and Boyle will certainly help a young player accomplish that.

But for now he continues to rack up frequent flyer miles as part of the Sharks' "Worcester shuttle."

As long as he keeps playing with tenacity like he has been for the better part of this season, it won't be long until McGinn gets a chance to call San Jose his home.

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