Sharks Acquire Mike Brown From Oilers

[Cmon_WTF]

High energy, defensive forward that will protect teammates. Sound like what a 4th liner should be. As opposed to an often injured, highly paid, unskilled agitator, which is what Burish is. We all hated that Burish signing whether it was the term, dollars, or everything about that deal. I hope Brown takes over that 4th line winger spot permanently and can form some chemistry with Desi.

Brown isn't a heavyweight and has not been a part of the PK unit. Those are my only complaints.

Brown is always more than willing to fight but he's really not very good at it. He was a regular on the PK in Anaheim and was used a little in Toronto but I don't expect him to take on those responsibilities in San Jose. If he does I think it will be on a very limited basis.

I haven't watched Brown play at all this year and didn't see him much last year but when he was with the Ducks and his first two years with the Leafs he was very good on the forecheck which is something that 4th line has been sorely missing. Sheppard, Kearns, and Pelech are all to slow to be effective on the forecheck and McCarthy just isn't strong enough to knock anyone off the puck. Desjardins handles the primary defensive responsibilities so his ability to forecheck is limited. Having someone who can get on defenders quick and separate them from the puck will be a big lift to the 4th lines effectiveness. The question is is he still a player who can do this.

 

[MacJ88]

Brown is always more than willing to fight but he's really not very good at it. He was a regular on the PK in Anaheim and was used a little in Toronto but I don't expect him to take on those responsibilities in San Jose. If he does I think it will be on a very limited basis.

I haven't watched Brown play at all this year and didn't see him much last year but when he was with the Ducks and his first two years with the Leafs he was very good on the forecheck which is something that 4th line has been sorely missing. Sheppard, Kearns, and Pelech are all too slow to be effective on the forecheck and McCarthy just isn't strong enough to knock anyone off the puck. Desjardins handles the primary defensive responsibilities so his ability to forecheck is limited. Having someone who can get on defenders quick and separate them from the puck will be a big lift to the 4th lines effectiveness. The question is is he still a player who can do this.

Something that I have been dying to ask someone; was Sheppard always this slow? Or was his speed tarnished in the ATV accident? I can't figure out how this guy became a 9th overall pick. He's as slow as Pavelski but not nearly as skilled and doesn't even have a nose for the net. I had some hope for this kid to settle into a bottom six role and provide secondary scoring but he just doesn't have the tools or the skillset to be effective at the NHL level. When Raffi and/or Havlat come back, Shepp has to be one of the guys who bites the dust right?

 

[Cmon_WTF]

If I remember correctly Sheppard was ranked as a late 1st or early 2nd rounder during the draft. The Wild made a bit of an off the board pick with him at #9. His skating is actually better now than it was during his draft year.

 

[SJVP408]

Brown is always more than willing to fight but he's really not very good at it. He was a regular on the PK in Anaheim and was used a little in Toronto but I don't expect him to take on those responsibilities in San Jose. If he does I think it will be on a very limited basis.

I haven't watched Brown play at all this year and didn't see him much last year but when he was with the Ducks and his first two years with the Leafs he was very good on the forecheck which is something that 4th line has been sorely missing. Sheppard, Kearns, and Pelech are all to slow to be effective on the forecheck and McCarthy just isn't strong enough to knock anyone off the puck. Desjardins handles the primary defensive responsibilities so his ability to forecheck is limited. Having someone who can get on defenders quick and separate them from the puck will be a big lift to the 4th lines effectiveness. The question is is he still a player who can do this.

As of right now, the main PK forwards are Pavs, Patty, Couture, Desi, and Wingels. I don't remember much of Brown with the Ducks, but it doesn't seem like Brown is a PKer that can be relied upon for quality PK shifts. Like you said, limited basis. As long as he bangs bodies and doesn't commit dumb penalties, he will be a welcome addition. I would have really liked a 4th liner that can take some PK shifts away from Patty and Couture though.

 

[Cmon_WTF]

As of right now, the main PK forwards are Pavs, Patty, Couture, Desi, and Wingels. I don't remember much of Brown with the Ducks, but it doesn't seem like Brown is a PKer that can be relied upon for quality PK shifts. Like you said, limited basis. As long as he bangs bodies and doesn't commit dumb penalties, he will be a welcome addition. I would have really liked a 4th liner that can take some PK shifts away from Patty and Couture though.

As of right now the PK pairings are Marleau/Pavelski #1 pairing, Couture/Wingels #2 pairing, Desjardins/Nieto #3 pairing with Kennedy and Thornton doing spot duty when one of the regular PKers is in the box. Thornton also comes out just to take defensive zone faceoffs regularly. If they use him on the PK I think Brown will fill in the spot duty like Kennedy does.