Critical Time of the season.

[MrChangoT97]

This Olympic Break might be what saves us or destroys us.

The Sharks have numerous injuries right now and sure its not a excuse but you can't expect consistency from players who really don't belong in the NHL. The Sharks seem to be out of gas and our top players just cant do all the heavy lifting every game.

This is what concerns me most:

1) Injuries: Couture, Torres, Hertl, Kennedy, Burish, Demers, Havlat* is this guy 100%?
2) Hertl: Need to replace him on the 1st line.
3) Power Play: We have all our eggs in one basket, and that basket is lazy and passive.
4) Toughness: We don't have it
5) 3rd & 4th lines: Too many AHL'ers
6) Team speed: Might as well have kept Clowe & Murray

Sure a lot of my concerns will hopefully be fixed once the injured come back, but right now its a glaring issue. If the Sharks have a healthy second half then this team might be something special.

*Hope Marleau, Vlasic, Pavelski, Niemi have a great Olympics and return healthy.

The trade deadline sure is going to be very interesting, hope Doug pulls the correct trigger to get the Sharks over the HUMP.

 

[MrFlyingV]

Everyone is coming back after the Olympics but Hertl I think. I don't think you'll see anyone back before the Olympics. 10 pt lead over the Kings who are struggling too. Solidly in 2nd, no need to rush anyone back now. Hopefully manufacture points in the next two games. Seems like Kings, Ducks, Sharks have all gone onto Olympic break early.

Havlat though is never coming back even though he is there. He is a ghost out there. Body is there, but it is not a hockey player at all. More like an invalid pretty much on life support now. He needs to take his Social Security and Medicare and head off into the sunset and start spending his days playing bingo with all the other senior citizens.

 

[sjrules99]

not sure if dougie can pull a miracle by getting rid of havlat, but his uselessness is so glaring right now. If dougie can move him for anything of even remote value, then it will prove his mettle as a GM. Personally Id rather have him on LTIR to save the cap space than in the lineup hurting the team. He is a clear hurt not help and it's not likely to suddenly change.

As for the health issue, the olympic break is a godsend. It couldnt come at a better time. Everyone should be 100% afterwards and we'll finally get to see what a real sharks team looks like. I actually really miss demers' offense in there and I think his injury is more painful to the team than it might seem. He'll be back. Cooch will be 100%, kennedy too. Hopefully torres as well. Basically they will get back a complete 2nd/3rd line in cooch, kennedy, and torres. That will make a massive difference and there is word that Hertl could possibly return during the PO's as Tadd mentioned that his name in players that could be back to help the team down the stretch. I doubt it, but I wouldnt rule it out yet I believe.

Assuming all those guys (mius hertl) do come back, the top 9 will be solid again. Pavs, cooch, jumbo, burns, marleau, kennedy, torres, wingles, and nieto. (notice no havlat necessary). that's a nice top 9 even without hertl and allows desi-shep-Kearns to return to their natural role as a reasonable 4th line.

To me, that is enough firepower to suffice up front. Yes, adding one more top 9er would be nice, but the D needs help. Boyle is aging fast. Pickles is great defensively but nothing offensively. Braun is the same as pickles. Irwin is not good enough defensively to play a big role. Hannan and stuey are average defensively and zeroes offensively. Demers is respectable at both ends, but not a big goal scoring threat. The sharks count on boyle to be the big defensive point producer but he isnt, so they need to go shopping.

I mentioned Justin Schultz in a previous post and he would still be my main target as edmonton is out of it, and may be willing to move him for lots of young pieces (likely nieto, Irwin, a top prospect + 1st rounder). To me, that's a good deal even though it hurts the depth, potential top pairing dmen dont come cheap and when they are available, you gotta jump on it.

 

[sjrules99]

I wonder if tyler myers is available out of buffalo. I dont know if he is a good target anyways, but man is he struggling and at 5.5M for a long time, Buffalo is on the hook for big money and term. His career got off to a super start, but has really turned south and buffalo is clearly a few years out in the rebuild, so I wonder if they wont consider getting out from that contract for a pile of good picks and prospects. Needless to say, they will be having a firesale with miller, Ott, moulson, tallinder, and others all surely on the move. I don't know if they will want to part with their declared #1 Dman, but it would be an intriguing play. 5.5 is a big hit for a long time, but with his size and skill, Myers could really thrive in an environment like SJ and be a nice heir apparent to boyle.

Anybody know of any word on his availability?

I suppose if winny or nashville falls out that might open up byfuglien, but I dont see nashville moving any of their top D no matter what. The top D are slim pickins so if one does appear, I really hope dougie jumps.

 

[Cbrower91]

Myers is the cornerstone in buffalo he's not getting trade. Buff is a defensive liability and not worth his contract.

That being said either jagr or leg wand would be a huge boost to the offense. Don't see it happening though

 

[sjrules99]

Myers is the cornerstone in buffalo he's not getting trade. Buff is a defensive liability and not worth his contract.

That being said either jagr or leg wand would be a huge boost to the offense. Don't see it happening though

Yeah, I didnt figure on Myers though sometimes you never know... I agree on Buff, i'd take a pass.

Personally I dont want dougie to add a top 6 forward. Not because I dont want one (who doesnt) but because a rental forward for a 1st rounder doesnt make much sense to me. Adding a forward would force nieto out of the top 9 so the upgrade would be there, but not like forcing kearns or desi out of the top 9. I would much prefer they add a defenseman with top talent to upgrade their D and keep hannan and irwin out of the lineup and only available for depth and to allow them to really limit boyler's minutes to 16-18/game to keep him fresh and strong.

 

[Cbrower91]

Yeah, I didnt figure on Myers though sometimes you never know... I agree on Buff, i'd take a pass.

Personally I dont want dougie to add a top 6 forward. Not because I dont want one (who doesnt) but because a rental forward for a 1st rounder doesnt make much sense to me. Adding a forward would force nieto out of the top 9 so the upgrade would be there, but not like forcing kearns or desi out of the top 9. I would much prefer they add a defenseman with top talent to upgrade their D and keep hannan and irwin out of the lineup and only available for depth and to allow them to really limit boyler's minutes to 16-18/game to keep him fresh and strong.

the best avialable dman in that ilk available is Girardi and i dont think the sharks can land him. As for giving up a first rounder i dont think the sharks have to, to get a legwand or a jagr, a 2nd rounder would likely do it

 

[Cbrower91]

Rumor has it the otter is available, I'd love to see Steve ott in teal with Ralphie ohhhh the destruction they could do

 

[RaiderZar]

Rumor has it the otter is available, I'd love to see Steve ott in teal with Ralphie ohhhh the destruction they could do

Any chance we could add Matt Cooke too?

 

[Cbrower91]

So buffalos GM has come out and said his whole roster is in play, so sjrules dream of getting Meyers is there. I wonder if a Nemo/Irwin package for miller and Meyers would work

 

[sjrules99]

So buffalos GM has come out and said his whole roster is in play, so sjrules dream of getting Meyers is there. I wonder if a Nemo/Irwin package for miller and Meyers would work

It would take a lot more than that to land both guys. Millers will fetch the equivalent of 2 1st rounders I think. Myers would require a 1st, top prospect and solid NHLer or two. Also, nemo only has 1 more year left, so I dont see buffalo being all that interested.

I see the tradeable peices as the 1st rounder, both 2nd rounders (they have 2 right?), Havlat, tierney, nieto, irwin, anyone in wooster pretty much. He might entertain an offer involving demers as well if its a real good one. The untouchables to me include braun and pickles on D, any of jumbo, patty, pavs, cooch, hertl, etc. I doubt wingels would be in play, but it is possible for a top guy.

I dont dream of landing Myers as Im not sold on him as a top pairing dman, but the potential is obviously there given his chara-like size and great shot. If dougie pulled off a 1st, 2nd, irwin and nieto for myers, I would do it. Its a steep price and I like nieto alot, but that would hurt very little this year, give the sharks a staple on D for many years, and still leave them with several good young forwards like hertl, wingels and cooch all under 27.

I doubt dougie will make any major moves, but if myers is on the table I would hope dougie might make a bonafide offer. He's gotta see the decline of boyle and the age of boyle/stuey/hannan as a serious problem. Braun, pickles, and demers have made great strides, but none can anchor a D at both ends and signing top guys as UFA's is not dougie's MO, not to mention they are rarely available. Myers is exactly the kind of player dougie might shoot for if he hits the market and the sharks PP woes this year are largely a result of Boyle's major dropoff. Myers would immediately give them a great threat on the PP which would compliment boyle nicely.

 

[Cbrower91]

It would take a lot more than that to land both guys. Millers will fetch the equivalent of 2 1st rounders I think. Myers would require a 1st, top prospect and solid NHLer or two. Also, nemo only has 1 more year left, so I dont see buffalo being all that interested.

I see the tradeable peices as the 1st rounder, both 2nd rounders (they have 2 right?), Havlat, tierney, nieto, irwin, anyone in wooster pretty much. He might entertain an offer involving demers as well if its a real good one. The untouchables to me include braun and pickles on D, any of jumbo, patty, pavs, cooch, hertl, etc. I doubt wingels would be in play, but it is possible for a top guy.

I dont dream of landing Myers as Im not sold on him as a top pairing dman, but the potential is obviously there given his chara-like size and great shot. If dougie pulled off a 1st, 2nd, irwin and nieto for myers, I would do it. Its a steep price and I like nieto alot, but that would hurt very little this year, give the sharks a staple on D for many years, and still leave them with several good young forwards like hertl, wingels and cooch all under 27.

I doubt dougie will make any major moves, but if myers is on the table I would hope dougie might make a bonafide offer. He's gotta see the decline of boyle and the age of boyle/stuey/hannan as a serious problem. Braun, pickles, and demers have made great strides, but none can anchor a D at both ends and signing top guys as UFA's is not dougie's MO, not to mention they are rarely available. Myers is exactly the kind of player dougie might shoot for if he hits the market and the sharks PP woes this year are largely a result of Boyle's major dropoff. Myers would immediately give them a great threat on the PP which would compliment boyle nicely.

Miller wont fetch that much and the biggest reason why is that no one who is a serious threat to make a run in the playoffs outside of St Louis has pretty solid goaltending. Theres just no market for goalies right now, so a goalie for goalie swap is very possible.

Meyers is a shell of the player he was as a rookie, so hes trade value isnt one of 1st rounders.

 

[sjrules99]

Miller wont fetch that much and the biggest reason why is that no one who is a serious threat to make a run in the playoffs outside of St Louis has pretty solid goaltending. Theres just no market for goalies right now, so a goalie for goalie swap is very possible.

Meyers is a shell of the player he was as a rookie, so hes trade value isnt one of 1st rounders.

wow, you think myers is that worthless? He sure hasnt produced in Buffalo as a #1, but I cant imagine the sabres will just throw him away to save cap space or salary? I mean, if the sharks got him for free, that would be fun, but it's hard to imagine.

There have got to be a few teams that would come knocking for Miller. He is actually having a fabulous year despite Buffalo's issues. I can think of a few teams that might be interested:

toronto (though bernier is playing well), ottawa, washington, Winnipeg (is Al Montoya really their guy), nashville as a fill in for rinne... Now none of those teams are at the very top, but all are fighting for PO spots and might pay for solid goaltending to get there. I just dont see miller coming here and I dont see the big gain for buffalo to get one year of nemo when they know that next year is not likely to be a major contending year. Basically, they'd lose miller for next to nothing and all no long-term assets.

Still, I hope you are right at Myers. I would take a chance on him and worst case scenario, you are stuck with hi for a while, overpaid, but still a solid Dman. Best case scenario, you have a #1 Dman signed forever, just entering his prime, at well under market. Its risky, but the sharks have the cap space down the road to replace boyle, and Im not sure if a better option than myers or schultz will come up anytime soon.

 

[Cbrower91]

wow, you think myers is that worthless? He sure hasnt produced in Buffalo as a #1, but I cant imagine the sabres will just throw him away to save cap space or salary? I mean, if the sharks got him for free, that would be fun, but it's hard to imagine.

There have got to be a few teams that would come knocking for Miller. He is actually having a fabulous year despite Buffalo's issues. I can think of a few teams that might be interested:

toronto (though bernier is playing well), ottawa, washington, Winnipeg (is Al Montoya really their guy), nashville as a fill in for rinne... Now none of those teams are at the very top, but all are fighting for PO spots and might pay for solid goaltending to get there. I just dont see miller coming here and I dont see the big gain for buffalo to get one year of nemo when they know that next year is not likely to be a major contending year. Basically, they'd lose miller for next to nothing and all no long-term assets.

Still, I hope you are right at Myers. I would take a chance on him and worst case scenario, you are stuck with hi for a while, overpaid, but still a solid Dman. Best case scenario, you have a #1 Dman signed forever, just entering his prime, at well under market. Its risky, but the sharks have the cap space down the road to replace boyle, and Im not sure if a better option than myers or schultz will come up anytime soon.

Miller wants to be as close to California as possible if not in Cali. The sucks and kings don't need a goalie so that leaves one place. Miller has some say on his destination so it's possible. Secondly the sabers would get Nemo under contract for another year and won't have to search for a starting goalie it benefits both teams.

Meyers stock has dropped quite a bit, he's regressed every season since his rookie year. Irwin has some decent upside as an offensive dman it might have to involve a pick but it's not far off or maybe even throw in Tennyson. The problem with Meyers is for his size he is really light on his skates and is knocked off the puck easy

 

[MrChangoT97]

Post Olympic Break:

Do you guys see a GOOD PROBLEM for the Sharks?

Line - Up:

1) MARLEAU - THORNTON - BURNS
2) HAVLAT - COUTURE - WINGLES
3) TORRES - PAVELSKI - KENNEDY
4) SHEPPARD - DESJARDINS - BURNISH
#'s: Nieto, Brown, Kearns, Hertl*

I see a log jam at forward and it will only get BETTER/WORSE if Hertl is able to come back from his injury.

Defense:

1) VLASIC - BRAUN
2) HANNAN - BOYLE
3) STUART - DEMERS
#'s Irwin

The blue line looks solid and we have plenty of experience, but I think we need something more.

Goaltender:

1) NIEMI
2) STALOCK

I'm not predicting a very active Doug Wilson during the trade deadline, but I can only see him making a move to strengthen the blue line and maybe moving a forward for some salary cap space.

*unless another injury happens thats all I can see happening this trade deadline.

 

[23sharks]

Post Olympic Break:

Do you guys see a GOOD PROBLEM for the Sharks?

Line - Up:

1) MARLEAU - THORNTON - BURNS
2) HAVLAT - COUTURE - WINGLES
3) TORRES - PAVELSKI - KENNEDY
4) SHEPPARD - DESJARDINS - BURNISH
#'s: Nieto, Brown, Kearns, Hertl*

I see a log jam at forward and it will only get BETTER/WORSE if Hertl is able to come back from his injury.

Defense:

1) VLASIC - BRAUN
2) HANNAN - BOYLE
3) STUART - DEMERS
#'s Irwin

The blue line looks solid and we have plenty of experience, but I think we need something more.

Goaltender:

1) NIEMI
2) STALOCK

I'm not predicting a very active Doug Wilson during the trade deadline, but I can only see him making a move to strengthen the blue line and maybe moving a forward for some salary cap space.

*unless another injury happens thats all I can see happening this trade deadline.

If they can stay healthy, that is the best set of forwards they have ever had going into the playoffs. The lack of any production from the 3rd line killed them last year in the playoffs. I don't really worry as much about the 4th line, because they'll play around 2:00 or 3:00 min in the playoffs, but they need a very solid 3rd line. They have plenty of options to fill out the bottom 6 forwards.
I'm still concerned that someone breathes on Havlat and he gets hurt again, and who knows how Raffi comes back from the injury. But I don't see them making a move for a forward either, unless something good falls in their lap.
I can see them targeting another D-man too, especially one that can move the puck and play on the PP. Problem is everyone wants one of those guys, and there aren't many out there for sale.

 

[MrChangoT97]

Several injured Sharks primed to return after Olympics | CSN Bay Area
The boys are back!

The players are back, now its time for TMac to place the players in position to succeed.

Will TMac rest Marleau, Vlasic, Pavelski once NHL season resumes?

 

[Cbrower91]

Several injured Sharks primed to return after Olympics | CSN Bay Area
The boys are back!

The players are back, now its time for TMac to place the players in position to succeed.

Will TMac rest Marleau, Vlasic, Pavelski once NHL season resumes?

Its going to take a while before Ralphie gets up to speed as with logan.

 

[Cbrower91]

Wow Miller and Ott for Halak and Stewart? What a shit trade Dougie blew that one, i wouldve traded Nemo and maybe Wingels for those two

 

[Slimpikins]

No way, Ott and Miller are both UFAs, Wingels is an RFA and Niemi has another year on his contract. The only way Doug swings that deal is if he knows he can resign them. Also Miller is 33 (3 years older than Niemi).

Plus I'm not sure I could root for a team with Ott and Torres. Cheering for one of them is hard enough.