San Jose Sharks

[LeftWinger 5,153]

The Sharks were the most trade-active team in the league, and they barely made the playoffs and then got bounced in the first round.

It's because Niemi was one of those one and done goalies, much like a few others that have won the Cup once and have made crap since... Cam Ward anyone?

[Ally 448]

I feel like this is a year where goaltending has really stolen the show, which honestly irritates me. None of the traditionally good teams did anything this year.

I'm with you on this. I realize you can't win the cup without a solid goalie but it's not nearly as exciting to watch this year because the teams weren't nearly as strong offensively as they have been in other playoffs.

[Guest Crymson]

It's because Niemi was one of those one and done goalies, much like a few others that have won the Cup once and have made crap since... Cam Ward anyone?

Cam Ward is a far better goalie than Niemi is.

[Cali-Wing-Nut 102]

Looks like their team is improving each and every year. I can track back to three years ago when their third line center was Wellwood and they just traded for Boyle. Pavelski was youngser back then. Next year Couture emerged and they signed Malhotra. Still no Cup. Now they have excellent three-centers punch in Thornton, Couture, Pavelski and they just signed big body Handzus. In addition to that they traded for Burns, signed him, and signed White as well. I see then way better than they were last year. Personally, I think there is no way for us to get past them in the play-offs with Helm and Abdelkader as 3rd and 4th line centers. So, the actual question. Does someone see them as champions next year? To be honest, I do. I wouldn't bet a dime if we meet them in the play-offs.

The Guppies are perennial chokers. They are Toronto with some talent but as the teams get better in the Pacific dont be surprised if they tend to fall down the rankings as time goes on.

Short and sweet, you have your head stuck in the spot that stinks most.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

According to the hockeypodcast shars are one of these teams, who are really hard to figure out. Last year their problem has been the defense, they've fixed it then the offense became their problem so Doug Wilson will be looking for a challenging year.

[Hiei 192]

The problem with SJ is the GM.

[Guest Crymson]

According to the hockeypodcast shars are one of these teams, who are really hard to figure out. Last year their problem has been the defense, they've fixed it then the offense became their problem so Doug Wilson will be looking for a challenging year.

Goaltending is also an issue. Niemi turned out to be a downgrade from Nabokov.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Goaltending is also an issue. Niemi turned out to be a downgrade from Nabokov.

That was an awful move by the Sharks.

They wanted to shore up goaltending so they sign Niemi?? He was an average goaltender at best when the Hawks won the Cup.

Enjoy three more years of him Sharks!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

But the Sharks are HUGE and full of big, tough forwards... this goes directly against everything we've been told Holland should be (exclusively) drafting for.

[Guest Crymson]

That was an awful move by the Sharks.

They wanted to shore up goaltending so they sign Niemi?? He was an average goaltender at best when the Hawks won the Cup.

Enjoy three more years of him Sharks!

When the team doesn't win it all, Doug Wilson's policy is to make changes for the sake of making changes. Dumping Nabokov was one such change. Trading Heatley was another, as was trading Setoguchi.

Making changes isn't guaranteed to improve a team. In some cases, it can make the team worse.

[pucktividi 472]

According to the hockeypodcast shars are one of these teams, who are really hard to figure out. Last year their problem has been the defense, they've fixed it then the offense became their problem so Doug Wilson will be looking for a challenging year.

they've fixed the defense by making an issue of scoring depth with departure of Heatley,Setoguchi and McGinn.Havlat is a good player,but way too much injury prone.

Heatley+prospect for Burns should work better imo,than all these mess Wilson created.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

When the team doesn't win it all, Doug Wilson's policy is to make changes for the sake of making changes. Dumping Nabokov was one such change. Trading Heatley was another, as was trading Setoguchi.

Making changes isn't guaranteed to improve a team. In some cases, it can make the team worse.

Trading Heatley I was okay with. Something had to be done. They had something like 22 million in payroll tied up in three forwards.

The Sharks are an example of what not to do, but then look at the Kings. They traded away two young talented players and gave up a pick last offseason and brought in Richards. Then they fire their head coach and trade away one of their core players in Jack Johnson to bring in Carter. They also called up two rookies in King and Nolan. They couldn't score goals all season but now they're in the Cup finals.

Those are a lot of very bold moves for one team in less than a year.

Holland isn't in the position to need or want to make that many bold moves. It'd just be nice if he changed up his playbook once in a while.

[Guest Crymson]

Trading Heatley I was okay with. Something had to be done. They had something like 22 million in payroll tied up in three forwards.

The Sharks are an example of what not to do, but then look at the Kings. They traded away two young talented players and gave up a pick last offseason and brought in Richards. Then they fire their head coach and trade away one of their core players in Jack Johnson to bring in Carter. They also called up two rookies in King and Nolan. They couldn't score goals all season but now they're in the Cup finals.

Those are a lot of very bold moves for one team in less than a year.

Holland isn't in the position to need or want to make that many bold moves. It'd just be nice if he changed up his playbook once in a while.

Carter has been the Kings' worst player. All but one of his four goals came in a single game, and he has by far the worst Corsi score on the team.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Carter has been the Kings' worst player. All but one of his four goals came in a single game, and he has by far the worst Corsi score on the team.

I don't really subscribe to the Corsi thing, but yeah, Carter has been terrible offensively for most of the playoffs. He's good defensively but manages to not score on great opportunities in the same inexplicable ways Flip does. Even his hat trick. One goal was a shot he partially fanned on. I think another was one a shot from Kopitar that deflected off his leg.

After his hat trick though, he's been much more noticeable and a force to be reckoned with on the ice, even if his scoring woes have continued. He's going hard to the net, getting quality shots, making good plays. It just took half the playoffs for him to wake up. If anything, his biggest function has been giving the Kings another hypothetical threat that the opponent needs to address, even if he rarely converts.

And bringing in Carter also seems to be addition by subtraction by giving up Jack Johnson. He's a talented player but doesn't have it between the ears yet. Maybe he'll get his act together in Columbus.

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I don't like Carter's game. I think he's a floater. He can score goals when he feels like it but he reminds me of Franzen with his laziness. Thing is though, Mike Richards has been a different player since his buddy Carter arrived in LA. It's like he woke up and began playing the way he did when he came into the league. A shutdown agitating 2 way centre who can score and make his teammates better. Brown and Richards have led the way. Doughty and Quick have been integral as well. Sutter gave this team its identity and they have improved with each round. It will be interesting to see how Quick does in the SCF with no experience versus Mr SCF himself Marty Brodeur.