The 2002–03 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' twelfth season of operation in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

(NHL). The Sharks placed 14th in the conference and did not qualify for the playoffs for the first time since the 1996–97 season, thus ending their five-year playoff streak. This would also be the last time the Sharks missed the playoffs until the 2014–15 season.

Offseason

Regular season

After 24 games and an 8–12–2–2 record, Darryl Sutter was fired. One game was coached by Cap Raeder before Ron Wilson, the former coach of the

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

was hired. Wilson was not able to guide the team to the playoffs and finished with a 19–25–7–6 record for the season. General manager

Dean Lombardi Dean Lombardi (born March 5, 1958) is an American ice hockey executive with the Philadelphia Flyers. He most recently served as the president, general manager, and alternate governor of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). ...

was fired on March 18. Captain

Owen Nolan Owen Liam Nolan (born 12 February 1972) is a Northern Irish-born Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was drafted first overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. During his 18-year NHL career, he played for the ...

was traded to the

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

. The Sharks' penalty kill struggled, as they finished 30th overall in penalty-kill percentage, at 81.01%.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 10, 2002, , 3–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 0–1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 12, 2002, , 3–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 0–2–0–0 , , , - , 3, , October 17, 2002, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 1–2–0–0 , , , - , 4, , October 19, 2002, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Con ...

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 1–3–0–0 , , , - , 5, , October 21, 2002, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 1–4–0–0 , , , - , 6, , October 24, 2002, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 2–4–0–0 , , , - , 7, , October 25, 2002, , 5–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 3–4–0–0 , , , - , 8, , October 27, 2002, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (N ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 3–5–0–0 , , , - , 9, , October 29, 2002, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 3–6–0–0 , , , - , 10, , October 31, 2002, , 1–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 3–6–0–1 , , , - , - , 11, , November 3, 2002, , 4–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 4–6–0–1 , , , - , 12, , November 5, 2002, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 5–6–0–1 , , , - , 13, , November 7, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 5–6–1–1 , , , - , 14, , November 9, 2002, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 5–7–1–1 , , , - , 15, , November 11, 2002, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 5–8–1–1 , , , - , 16, , November 13, 2002, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL sea ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 5–8–1–2 , , , - , 17, , November 15, 2002, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 5–9–1–2 , , , - , 18, , November 16, 2002, , 7–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team initially played it ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 6–9–1–2 , , , - , 19, , November 19, 2002, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 7–9–1–2 , , , - , 20, , November 21, 2002, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 7–9–2–2 , , , - , 21, , November 23, 2002, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 7–10–2–2 , , , - , 22, , November 25, 2002, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 8–10–2–2 , , , - , 23, , November 27, 2002, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 8–11–2–2 , , , - , 24, , November 30, 2002, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 8–12–2–2 , , , - , - , 25, , December 3, 2002, , 3–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 9–12–2–2 , , , - , 26, , December 6, 2002, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 10–12–2–2 , , , - , 27, , December 7, 2002, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 10–13–2–2 , , , - , 28, , December 12, 2002, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 11–13–2–2 , , , - , 29, , December 14, 2002, , 2–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 12–13–2–2 , , , - , 30, , December 16, 2002, , 1–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 12–13–2–3 , , , - , 31, , December 17, 2002, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 13–13–2–3 , , , - , 32, , December 19, 2002, , 3–9 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 13–14–2–3 , , , - , 33, , December 21, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 13–14–3–3 , , , - , 34, , December 23, 2002, , 2–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 13–15–3–3 , , , - , 35, , December 26, 2002, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 14–15–3–3 , , , - , 36, , December 28, 2002, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 14–15–4–3 , , , - , 37, , December 30, 2002, , 2–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 15–15–4–3 , , , - , - , 38, , January 2, 2003, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. The Stars compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The Stars ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 15–16–4–3 , , , - , 39, , January 4, 2003, , 1–6 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 15–17–4–3 , , , - , 40, , January 6, 2003, , 5–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 15–17–5–3 , , , - , 41, , January 9, 2003, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 15–18–5–3 , , , - , 42, , January 11, 2003, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 16–18–5–3 , , , - , 43, , January 13, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 16–18–5–4 , , , - , 44, , January 16, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 16–18–6–4 , , , - , 45, , January 18, 2003, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 16–19–6–4 , , , - , 46, , January 20, 2003, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 16–20–6–4 , , , - , 47, , January 22, 2003, , 4–5 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 16–20–6–5 , , , - , 48, , January 25, 2003, , 4–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 17–20–6–5 , , , - , 49, , January 27, 2003, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 18–20–6–5 , , , - , 50, , January 28, 2003, , 3–1 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 19–20–6–5 , , , - , 51, , January 30, 2003, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 19–21–6–5 , , , - , - , 52, , February 5, 2003, , 6–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 20–21–6–5 , , , - , 53, , February 7, 2003, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 20–22–6–5 , , , - , 54, , February 8, 2003, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 20–23–6–5 , , , - , 55, , February 10, 2003, , 4–5 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 20–24–6–5 , , , - , 56, , February 12, 2003, , 0–1 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 20–25–6–5 , , , - , 57, , February 14, 2003, , 4–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 21–25–6–5 , , , - , 58, , February 16, 2003, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 21–26–6–5 , , , - , 59, , February 17, 2003, , 2–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 21–27–6–5 , , , - , 60, , February 19, 2003, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;",

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 21–28–6–5 , , , - , 61, , February 21, 2003, , 6–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 22–28–6–5 , , , - , 62, , February 24, 2003, , 5–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 23–28–6–5 , , , - , 63, , February 27, 2003, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 24–28–6–5 , , , - , - , 64, , March 1, 2003, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 24–29–6–5 , , , - , 65, , March 4, 2003, , 1–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 24–30–6–5 , , , - , 66, , March 6, 2003, , 4–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 25–30–6–5 , , , - , 67, , March 8, 2003, , 4–6 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 25–31–6–5 , , , - , 68, , March 9, 2003, , 0–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 25–32–6–5 , , , - , 69, , March 11, 2003, , 2–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 25–33–6–5 , , , - , 70, , March 13, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 25–33–6–6 , , , - , 71, , March 15, 2003, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 26–33–6–6 , , , - , 72, , March 17, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 26–33–6–7 , , , - , 73, , March 20, 2003, , 0–2 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Kiprusoff , , 26–34–6–7 , , , - , 74, , March 21, 2003, , 3–2 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 27–34–6–7 , , , - , 75, , March 22, 2003, , 2–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 27–34–6–8 , , , - , 76, , March 24, 2003, , 1–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 27–35–6–8 , , , - , 77, , March 27, 2003, , 3–0 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 28–35–6–8 , , , - , 78, , March 29, 2003, , 3–4 , , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 28–36–6–8 , , , - , 79, , March 31, 2003, , 1–3 , , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 28–37–6–8 , , , - , - , 80, , April 2, 2003, , 2–2 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 28–37–7–8 , , , - , 81, , April 3, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;", @

( 2002–03) , , Toskala , , 28–37–8–8 , , , - , 82, , April 6, 2003, , 3–3 OT, , style="text-align:left;",

( 2002–03) , , Nabokov , , 28–37–9–8 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.''

Goaltending

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

Transactions

The Sharks were involved in the following transactions from June 14, 2002, the day after the deciding game of the

2002 Stanley Cup Finals The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2001–02 season, and the culmination of the 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and t ...

, through June 9, 2003, the day of the deciding game of the

2003 Stanley Cup Finals The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2002–03 season, and the culmination of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs. The second-seeded Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Devils defeated th ...

Trades

Players acquired

Players lost

Signings

Draft picks

San Jose's draft picks at the 2002 NHL entry draft at the

Air Canada Centre Scotiabank Arena (SBA), formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and t ...

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:2002-03 San Jose Sharks season San San Jose Sharks seasons

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

2000s in San Jose, California