The anomaly that is the San jose Sharks

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Well I think most would agree that before this season started, the general consensus was that San jose was a team with a great offense, average defense and solid goaltending. At least that's the way most people on these boards (including me) had saw things. After following them this far into the season, I am amazed that they are doing as well as they are.

Their offensive production has been absolutely horrendous yet they still sit 5th in the west with a record of 18-11-5. Joe Thornton is the only player on the team with over 15 points with a whopping 40. Jeremy Roenick has the next best pts/game ratio.

Marleau 15pts -6, Michalek 15pts +3, Bernier 11pts -1, Cheechoo 9pts 0, Roenick 15 pts -3

They do have the lowest goals against in the league yet I have not heard one person (hockey analyst or fan) comment on the play of Nabokov. According to his stats he's the best goaltender in the league. (yes better than Osgood lol) Is he completely responsible for the shut down defense?

Who do they have on defense that has been so good? Other than the unheralded Douglas Murray who has nearly double the +/- of anyone else on the team. Their supposed powerplay quaterback Matt Carle has been a healthy scratch in 4 of the last 6 games.

So the questions I ask are......Is this team completely reliant on just two players in Thornton and Nabokov and how far can that take them? Were the big contracts they offered to Michalek and Marleau a big mistake or are they just in a funk? And if they do get their offense rolling and live up to the expectations many have put on them, how dangerous will they be?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

After what I've seen with them this year, they are no different from the teams from the past. They'll be out in the first round for sure, riding Thornton and Nabakov into the ground will hurt them late in the season.

It's ridiculous how bad there offence is. Cheechoo, Marleau, Michalek, and Bernier all have less then 20 points.

I'd say Nabakov has proven himself this year, Doug Murray, Craig Rivet, Sandis Ozolinsh, Kyle McLauren. That's there top 4, what a joke.

One last thing, how long until they name Thornton captain? Marleau, sucks. There is no other way to say. Thornton is better at every part of the game, and is a better leader.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Never been a Sharks fan, and as they say "playoffs build rivalries" and after about game 2 in the 2nd round last year I was thinking their physicality had swung more into the goonery category, but I've always admired them as the high-scoring, physical team they were always toted to be. Can't say I'm not happy to see some of their "superstars" who I have always thought to be overrated and benifitting purely from a Thornton, are now doing laughably bad. I've always known Nabakov was a solid goaltender, as someone had said, with the guys they have on the back end, your goaltender better be the best player on your team. This whole situation is a charicature of many questions I'm asked in the past, but now maybe has grabbed the attention on more:

Q: Are the San Jose Sharks really the team they are made out to be, or have they always been "paper lions"?

A: They have been favored for a while now, because of size and scorers, but consistency has never been there, and yet the names on the box score sheet have decieved many into believing the Sharks to be a powerhouse.

Q: Is the "high-flying, score on a dime" Cheechoo really just a flash in the pan winger who has benefitted not on skill but on the back of great set-up men?

A: Cheechoo has a scorers touch, but outside of being a more accurate version of Samuelson (that is to say he is basically good to shoot), Cheechoo has always relied on a great set-up man and without one, he is rendered useless.

Q: Are the San Jose Sharks capable of the perserverence it takes to win the cup, do they have the character within their core to overcome set-backs?

A: No. While there are two players wearing 'A's and one wearing a 'C', their are few players carrying the leadershio roles, Thornton and maybe J.R. being the exceptions. But when the going gets tough, I don't believe that is enough to motivate a struggling Cheechoo or Bernier or Marleau. And with Thornton We have already seen shades of the Sharks level of perserverence in the games against Detroit this year, it basically turns a bad stiuation worse when the second half of the game becomes "Tantrums on Ice" and they stop playing and focus more on gooning.

Overall, though they have been a tough team to play against for a while now, when the season began with so much hype around the Sharks, I was never a believer. Sure, they were tough in the playoffs and nearly had the Wings number, but as a repeat, consistent team I didn't see it there. And unless their "elite" players start producing like it in the second half of the season, I see a first round exit almost definate.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

Ron Wilsons ruining that team. No other way to explain how great offensive talents like Marleau, Michalek, and Cheechoo (and the Bear to a lesser extent) have all fallen off, starting last year. Just doesnt make any sense.

[chrisdetroit 189]

Never been a Sharks fan, and as they say "playoffs build rivalries" and after about game 2 in the 2nd round last year I was thinking their physicality had swung more into the goonery category, but I've always admired them as the high-scoring, physical team they were always toted to be. Can't say I'm not happy to see some of their "superstars" who I have always thought to be overrated and benifitting purely from a Thornton, are now doing laughably bad. I've always known Nabakov was a solid goaltender, as someone had said, with the guys they have on the back end, your goaltender better be the best player on your team. This whole situation is a charicature of many questions I'm asked in the past, but now maybe has grabbed the attention on more:

Q: Are the San Jose Sharks really the team they are made out to be, or have they always been "paper lions"?

A: They have been favored for a while now, because of size and scorers, but consistency has never been there, and yet the names on the box score sheet have decieved many into believing the Sharks to be a powerhouse.

Q: Is the "high-flying, score on a dime" Cheechoo really just a flash in the pan winger who has benefitted not on skill but on the back of great set-up men?

A: Cheechoo has a scorers touch, but outside of being a more accurate version of Samuelson (that is to say he is basically good to shoot), Cheechoo has always relied on a great set-up man and without one, he is rendered useless.

Q: Are the San Jose Sharks capable of the perserverence it takes to win the cup, do they have the character within their core to overcome set-backs?

A: No. While there are two players wearing 'A's and one wearing a 'C', their are few players carrying the leadershio roles, Thornton and maybe J.R. being the exceptions. But when the going gets tough, I don't believe that is enough to motivate a struggling Cheechoo or Bernier or Marleau. And with Thornton We have already seen shades of the Sharks level of perserverence in the games against Detroit this year, it basically turns a bad stiuation worse when the second half of the game becomes "Tantrums on Ice" and they stop playing and focus more on gooning.

Overall, though they have been a tough team to play against for a while now, when the season began with so much hype around the Sharks, I was never a believer. Sure, they were tough in the playoffs and nearly had the Wings number, but as a repeat, consistent team I didn't see it there. And unless their "elite" players start producing like it in the second half of the season, I see a first round exit almost definate.

There is no question that they have the talent, the size and the speed to potentially win it all. BUT, they are sorely missing vetern leadership (no JR doesn't fit the bill) and character to win it all. And they are a poorly coached team. Ron Wilson has never won anything.

IMHO, they could be a contender along with Detroit and Ottawa but.... Consider this, they have only won 6 out of 18 home games this year. That's a perfect indicator of why they are not an elite team. With all the advantages of playing at home, they still can't win. That tells me that their problems are in there heads. We saw that when they played us last year in the playoffs. They blew leads in 3 of the 4 games that we beat them. Poor leadeship, poor coaching and a lack of character

[Dabura 12,232]

The Sharks have done nothing to earn the hype they've been receiving the past several seasons.

[norrisnick 1]

After what I've seen with them this year, they are no different from the teams from the past. They'll be out in the first round for sure, riding Thornton and Nabakov into the ground will hurt them late in the season.

It's ridiculous how bad there offence is. Cheechoo, Marleau, Michalek, and Bernier all have less then 20 points.

I'd say Nabakov has proven himself this year, Doug Murray, Craig Rivet, Sandis Ozolinsh, Kyle McLauren. That's there top 4, what a joke.

One last thing, how long until they name Thornton captain? Marleau, sucks. There is no other way to say. Thornton is better at every part of the game, and is a better leader.

You missed two of their top three defensemen. Vlasic (arguably their #1, it's 1A and 1B with him and Rivet, but Vlasic is the more defensive minded one) and Erhoff (their #3).

[Zion 93]

Underachieiving.

When the Sharks are on, they're tough to beat, and used to own Anaheim. Last night I watched them get embarrassed again on their home ice. Is there anything worse than seeing Chris Pronger AND Cory Perry score goals? Ouch!!!

Ron Wilson may have to go. Marleau has a no-trade clause.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Underachieiving.

When the Sharks are on, they're tough to beat, and used to own Anaheim. Last night I watched them get embarrassed again on their home ice. Is there anything worse than seeing Chris Pronger AND Cory Perry score goals? Ouch!!!

Ron Wilson may have to go. Marleau has a no-trade clause.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but his no-trade clause doesn't kick in till next year. Not saying we would ever have a chance...just pointing out.

[Opie 308]

Seeing as I gloat about picking the Ducks not to be the favorite I guess I should eat some serious Crow for saying that SJ was the favorite.

1. I didn't think the wings complementary players would be this good.

2. The Ducks lost a lot in Penner, Teemu, Neids (I know he is back)

3. The Sharks really didn't change that much in the off season.

Having weighed those facts, I didn't see anything to stop SJ from running away like the Wings look to be poised to do.

I thought the addition of Roenick would give them motivation and a veteran leadership that would drive them to win the cup. I am not saying they still couldn't win the cup, just saying I was wrong.