What's Next for the Sharks?

After a great regular season, the San Jose Sharks season has once again ended prematurely. For a team that was fairly healthy, this series loss raises questions regarding the direction of the club. What will become of Doug Wilson who has been hailed as one of the better GMs in the league? If Wilson goes does this mean a new coach will be brought in? And most importantly how can you change the roster.

The Sharks currently have almost 47M committed to 7 forwards, 5 Dmen and Evgeni Nabakov. Their only RFAs are Clowe, Goc and Mitchell.

Of particular interest to Sens fans, would Travis Moen be a decent lower priced replacement for Chris Neil ? Now back to the Sharks.

It seems that there needs to be changes made to the top 2 forwards, Joe T has proven to be a huge playoff failure yet Patrick Marleau is the player most frequently brought up as someone who should be moved.

How would you proceed if you were making the decisions down by the Bay?

Marleau to Montreal, you can book that one. Not sure if Jumpin Joe will be moved however. They will sign Clowe if their GM has a brain at all, and Heater has talked about it before, we would gladly take Cheecho off their hands to see if a change of scenery would do him good, if they want to send Clowe our way too, I don't think I would argue.

Tough call. They are the Sens of the West. Remember the Division titles and the President's Trophy seasons coupled with early exits despite having a talent laiden team? It appears as though a major shift is needed but I wouldn't know where to begin. With the Sens it seemed as though some major adversity brought them together before their run so perhaps that's what these guys need? I sure wouldn't want to be the guy trying to figure this team out.

And before Neely says it's all Thornton and Marleau's fault I will just say it's not that simple.

No arguments there SF. I have to agree thar Marleau will certainly be courted and swooned by Montreal, that's for sure.
And as a Sens fan, I would be ecstatic if somehow we could snag both Cheechoo and Clowe... *drooling* but I won't get carried away.

Needless to say, speculation will continue to run rampant as the President's trophy winners were trounced and bounced by the lowest seed in the 1st round, although to be honest, reading Drew Miller's comments I believe, encompass what I've felt recently where he stated: "Everyone in (our) the dressing room knows we're not an 8th seed team, and now I think the league knows it too,"

IMHO Doug Wilson's done all he could reasonably do.

The Ducks improved their club substantially at the deadline, and are not your 'typical' 8th seed. Anaheim is a Cup Champion, and many of those players remain. They know how to win.

The Sharks need a younger D-man to replace Blake, but there aren't any discernible flaws on this team.

It's easy to dump on Marleau and Thornton, but the fact is NONE of the Sharks were able to solve the Ducks' defensive strategy and the exceptional play--with two shutouts to boot--of Jonas Hiller.

davetherave wrote:IMHO Doug Wilson's done all he could reasonably do.

The Ducks improved their club substantially at the deadline, and are not your 'typical' 8th seed. Anaheim is a Cup Champion, and many of those players remain. They know how to win.

The Sharks need a younger D-man to replace Blake, but there aren't any discernible flaws on this team.

It's easy to dump on Marleau and Thornton, but the fact is NONE of the Sharks were able to solve the Ducks' defensive strategy and the exceptional play--with two shutouts to boot--of Jonas Hiller.

Dave,

This was the Sharks year. They acquired Blake and Boyle to push them over the top. They had Thornton, Marleau and Michalek up front. They had young guys on cheap contracts contributing and they had the goaltending. Again they failed in their pursuit of the cup. They obviously need to improve, but how do that. They can't bring anyone in without moving a big salary.

RobbyJ wrote:

davetherave wrote:IMHO Doug Wilson's done all he could reasonably do.

The Ducks improved their club substantially at the deadline, and are not your 'typical' 8th seed. Anaheim is a Cup Champion, and many of those players remain. They know how to win.

The Sharks need a younger D-man to replace Blake, but there aren't any discernible flaws on this team.

It's easy to dump on Marleau and Thornton, but the fact is NONE of the Sharks were able to solve the Ducks' defensive strategy and the exceptional play--with two shutouts to boot--of Jonas Hiller.

Dave,

This was the Sharks year. They acquired Blake and Boyle to push them over the top. They had Thornton, Marleau and Michalek up front. They had young guys on cheap contracts contributing and they had the goaltending. Again they failed in their pursuit of the cup. They obviously need to improve, but how do that. They can't bring anyone in without moving a big salary.

Robby, I agree with you.

I frankly don't know what else Doug Wilson can do...and I suspect he doesn't know either at the moment.

Get ready for the Marleau/Briere/Lecavalier to Montreal rumours. Interestingly anyone trading for Marleau after July 1st can sign him to an extension immediately.

Marleau to Montreal is probably being discussed as we speak - but expect Marleau to use his NTC to stay the Diddle away. The last thing this guy needs is more pressure.

Thornton's future is in terrifying limbo. He could be offered around for a gritty winger. Someone who's been there before and can fight through the checking of the playoffs. But...Thornton was good enough to make a difference, no one else was, especially in game 6.

Setaguchi is a great regular season player. So is Pavelski - but there have to be doubts about their post-seasons.

Clowe is a killer player, so he'll move up with Thornton I would imagine. Probably insulate that line with Michalek so there's nothing but size and power.

DW will have to examine very closely the progress of Couture to see if he can be slotted in.

I would expect Cheechoo to be traded. Grier will move on, Roenick will move on,

There needs to be a little less skill and a little more toughness.

Devastating.

EDIT: It doesn't help that SJ's prospect pool makes ours look like Detroit's.

RobbyJ wrote:Get ready for the Marleau/Briere/Lecavalier to Montreal rumours. Interestingly anyone trading for Marleau after July 1st can sign him to an extension immediately.

Robby, you are right again on this, but is Marleau really the problem?

Under McLellan, he had an excellent year.

Gainey certainly has no one the Sharks would want. Neither does Holmgren, who can't afford to part with the d-man San Jose would need to replace Boyle.

Injuries are no excuse, of course, but the Sharks were quite possibly not healthy going into the playoffs, those injuries (I suspect to both Blake and Lukowich, as well as Clowe) lingering or otherwise undisclosed.

The Sharks did not finish the season strong, going just 5-4-1 in their last ten, and barely winning half of their games in March.

The Ducks, on the other, brought in fresh troops in March and were on an upswing since the trade deadline.

And then there was Hiller, who clearly outplayed Nabokov.

davetherave wrote:
Robby, you are right again on this, but is Marleau really the problem?

Yes.

He was one of about 5 serious issues, but by far the biggest.

504Heater wrote:

davetherave wrote:
Robby, you are right again on this, but is Marleau really the problem?

Yes.

He was one of about 5 serious issues, but by far the biggest.

504H, who were the leading goal getters for San Jose in the playoffs?

Who had the best plus-minus on the team in that series?

davetherave wrote:

504Heater wrote:

davetherave wrote:
Robby, you are right again on this, but is Marleau really the problem?

Yes.

He was one of about 5 serious issues, but by far the biggest.

504H, who were the leading goal getters for San Jose in the playoffs?

Who had the best plus-minus on the team in that series?

No one. They all failed. :D:

Most goals was a whopping 2: By Boyle and Marleau

Best plus minus was: Cheechoo with a...plus 1.

Egads.

504Heater wrote:Most goals was a whopping 2: By Boyle and Marleau

Best plus minus was: Cheechoo with a...plus 1.

Egads.

Precisely...the failure is shared by all.

It's easy to put it on Marleau...but his mates didn't exactly help him out.

Marleau is still the worst captain in the NHL IMO.

Neely4Life wrote:Marleau is still the worst captain in the NHL IMO.

Worse than...the unnamed Captain of the Leafs? LOL

davetherave wrote:

Neely4Life wrote:Marleau is still the worst captain in the NHL IMO.

Worse than...the unnamed Captain of the Leafs? LOL

does anyone want that designation? I hear its a career killer

I actually agree with Neely that Marleau should not be captain of the Sharks...Dan Boyle deserves that C.

davetherave wrote:

504Heater wrote:Most goals was a whopping 2: By Boyle and Marleau

Best plus minus was: Cheechoo with a...plus 1.

Egads.

Precisely...the failure is shared by all.

It's easy to put it on Marleau...but his mates didn't exactly help him out.

still his responsability to motivate the others. I am not in the locker room so I dont know about his leadership, but the fact that you notice Niedermayer everytime he is on the ice and not Marleau when he is is a bit concerning.

marakh wrote:

davetherave wrote:

504Heater wrote:Most goals was a whopping 2: By Boyle and Marleau

Best plus minus was: Cheechoo with a...plus 1.

Egads.

Precisely...the failure is shared by all.

It's easy to put it on Marleau...but his mates didn't exactly help him out.

still his responsability to motivate the others. I am not in the locker room so I dont know about his leadership, but the fact that you notice Niedermayer everytime he is on the ice and not Marleau when he is is a bit concerning.

As I said, maybe Marleau's not the guy who should wear the C.

Dan Boyle, IMHO a better choice.

The whole team Dung the bed. Where was the secondary scoring from Michalek, Clowe, Setoguchi, Cheechoo, or Pavelski? Where was the scoring from Thorton or Marleau? Nabokov was straight up outplayed by Hiller and they couldn't match a D with Pronger, Neidermeyer, Beauchemin, Wisniewski, and Whitney.

I would be expecting big changes in SJ in the offseason. This should have been the year they got the 800 lb gorilla off their backs. This season should be considered a failure, despite the President's trophy. A story way too familiar to us Sens fans.

What I find fascinating is that everyone talks about the Sharks 'choking' and no one talks about the Flames' almost identical series of first round exits.

:KJK:

I was listening to Bill Waters on my ride home. He was going on about how SJ MUST trade Thornton. He said that he was discussing trade partners with Dreger and they agreed that Ottawa would provide the best partner. Except he added that it would be - for the most part - a straight swap of Spezza and Heatley to SJ for Thornton and Marleau. He continued by saying it would be an equal trade of under achievers in hopes each duo would excel under new team banners. He said it would be a simple trade and the numbers work out perfectly. He wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

His confidence in such a trade infuriated me. I don't know about you guys but I would HATE this trade. At times I haven't been a big fan of Spezza or Heatley but I wouldn't trade them for the sake of trading them. Especially for not two players that could be considered even worse underachievers than Spezza and Heatley. I fail to see how Ottawa is any further ahead by making this move.

strachattack wrote:I was listening to Bill Waters on my ride home. He was going on about how SJ MUST trade Thornton. He said that he was discussing trade partners with Dreger and they agreed that Ottawa would provide the best partner. Except he added that it would be - for the most part - a straight swap of Spezza and Heatley to SJ for Thornton and Marleau. He continued by saying it would be an equal trade of under achievers in hopes each duo would excel under new team banners. He said it would be a simple trade and the numbers work out perfectly. He wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

His confidence in such a trade infuriated me. I don't know about you guys but I would HATE this trade. At times I haven't been a big fan of Spezza or Heatley but I wouldn't trade them for the sake of trading them. Especially for not two players that could be considered even worse underachievers than Spezza and Heatley. I fail to see how Ottawa is any further ahead by making this move.

Watters and Dreger are card carrying members of Toronto's Hockey Media Mafia...did you actually expect something intelligent and insightful from them?

:^^^^:

davetherave wrote:

strachattack wrote:I was listening to Bill Waters on my ride home. He was going on about how SJ MUST trade Thornton. He said that he was discussing trade partners with Dreger and they agreed that Ottawa would provide the best partner. Except he added that it would be - for the most part - a straight swap of Spezza and Heatley to SJ for Thornton and Marleau. He continued by saying it would be an equal trade of under achievers in hopes each duo would excel under new team banners. He said it would be a simple trade and the numbers work out perfectly. He wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

His confidence in such a trade infuriated me. I don't know about you guys but I would HATE this trade. At times I haven't been a big fan of Spezza or Heatley but I wouldn't trade them for the sake of trading them. Especially for not two players that could be considered even worse underachievers than Spezza and Heatley. I fail to see how Ottawa is any further ahead by making this move.

Watters and Dreger are card carrying members of Toronto's Hockey Media Mafia...did you actually expect something intelligent and insightful from them?

:^^^^:

Good point! I usually don't but it was his arrogance in thinking that this was a slam dunk for Ottawa to consider. Despite Spezza and Heater's failings they have proven they can produce in the playoffs. Obviously, the jury is still out on Thornton and Marleau. Bah! Waters! :gg:

I will never pick San Jose in a playoff pool again lol Never!

HowieMorenz wrote:I will never pick San Jose in a playoff pool again lol Never!

:^^^^: I said the same thing today. Until they actually win a cup I will NEVER pick them or any of their players in a pool. I've been burned too many times.

usually you can rely on them to make it to the second round though.

Most interesting offseason coming up, possibly in league history.

Montreal Canadiens -- bust
Calgary Flames -- bust
San Jose Sharks -- big bust
Toronto Maple Leafs -- rebuilding
Ottawa Senators -- fringe team
Tampa Bay Lightning -- last offseason might be an indication
Minnesota -- possible new direction
Edmonton Oilers -- bust
Dallas Stars -- bust
Colorado Avalanche -- massive rebuild

Enjoy the fireworks this offseason guys, there is going to be plenty.

davetherave wrote:What I find fascinating is that everyone talks about the Sharks 'choking' and no one talks about the Flames' almost identical series of first round exits.

:KJK:

The Flames did have the run to the finals in '04. Also, they've never won a President's trophy during that stretch. I wouldn't say this season's exit was a choke. Even with Giordano, Phaneuf, and Regehr at full health, I would have picked the Hawks to win that series. Plainly put, they are the better team.

Changes will be coming in Calgary too.

PKC wrote:Most interesting offseason coming up, possibly in league history.

Montreal Canadiens -- bust
Calgary Flames -- bust
San Jose Sharks -- big bust
Toronto Maple Leafs -- rebuilding
Ottawa Senators -- fringe team
Tampa Bay Lightning -- last offseason might be an indication
Minnesota -- possible new direction
Edmonton Oilers -- bust
Dallas Stars -- bust
Colorado Avalanche -- massive rebuild

Enjoy the fireworks this offseason guys, there is going to be plenty.

Let's not forget the Flyers and possible the Rangers as well.

hemlock wrote:

davetherave wrote:What I find fascinating is that everyone talks about the Sharks 'choking' and no one talks about the Flames' almost identical series of first round exits.

:KJK:

The Flames did have the run to the finals in '04. Also, they've never won a President's trophy during that stretch. I wouldn't say this season's exit was a choke. Even with Giordano, Phaneuf, and Regehr at full health, I would have picked the Hawks to win that series. Plainly put, they are the better team.

Changes will be coming in Calgary too.

True...but the it has become de rigueur for the Mainstream Hockey Media Mafia to skewer the Sharks while they give the Flames a pass, no?

Interestingly, the Calgary press appeared ready to barbecue Keenan & Co after Game Five this year.

How the vultures gather...

Dave,

This is a post I put in the series thread earlier today. I think it is along the same lines of the Free Pass that the Flames organization and players seem to get from the media.

"Jarome Iginla is reputed to be a great captain. So many European captains have been denegrated because of their teams lack of playoff success, for example, Naslund, Koivu, Alfredsson (outside of Ottawa), Sundin etc.. The Calgary Flames have won 3 playoff series, all in the same season, with Mr. Iginla. So which is it, is Iginla a bad captain/leader or is it that the hockey world has been a little hard on Alfie, Koivu and the others."

Trade marleau,thorton and what ever else they have to ,to get getzlaf he Wing Dang Doodle slapped joe and marleau all series long .Why cant ottawa get a getzlaf man alive that would be sweet :D:

RobbyJ wrote:Dave,

This is a post I put in the series thread earlier today. I think it is along the same lines of the Free Pass that the Flames organization and players seem to get from the media.

"Jarome Iginla is reputed to be a great captain. So many European captains have been denegrated because of their teams lack of playoff success, for example, Naslund, Koivu, Alfredsson (outside of Ottawa), Sundin etc.. The Calgary Flames have won 3 playoff series, all in the same season, with Mr. Iginla. So which is it, is Iginla a bad captain/leader or is it that the hockey world has been a little hard on Alfie, Koivu and the others."

Robby, thanks for this. Your post, and those of our Esteemed Fellow GMHockey Members, is why I continue to boycott the elbow-bending donut-gobbling vultures of the MSM (Main Stream Media) Universe.

Cheers, my friend.

“I apologize to our fans and I apologize to our owners” — an angry GM Doug Wilson

from the San Jose Mercury News

Posted by David Pollak on April 29th, 2009

A ton of material to process before print edition deadline from today’s farewells at Sharks Ice, but I wanted to throw something on the blog before it got even later.

GM Doug Wilson did meet with the media and there were columnists and TV crews aplenty. Wilson wouldn’t get into any specific changes — understandably as the evaluation/assessment process needs to run its course — but he had something to say and he didn’t want people to have to wait a week to hear it.

“I apologize to our fans and I apologize to our owners because they deserve better,” Wilson said.

“And believe me, I take full responsibility. You bring in people and you bring in situations and if there’s any enabling or entitlement that comes from that, then that belongs right here and nowhere else.”

Wilson noted that he usually waits a week to calm down after a playoff exit, “but you don’t deserve me having a week.”

Wilson, who said this was by far the most painful playoff exit yet, said at various times that fans “should be pissed off” and “should feel cheated.” That last point prompted someone to ask him if he felt cheated, too.

“I don’t feel cheated. I feel responsible. I’m part of it. If I’m part of the problem, then I better be working to find us solutions here.”

Everything and everyone is on the table, he said.

He was asked if maybe he was second guessing his own plan to surround players already here with those who had won the Stanley Cup in the past.

“Did we bring too many and prevent growth from our own people? I don’t know,” he said. “Am I going to ask that question of myself? Absolutely. Do you dabble too much? Do you do too much? Was it time for this group to grow up and handle what was in front of them? I don’t have the answers, but those are the questions that will be asked and should be asked. And we’ll get answers.”

Other topics covered by Wilson included:

(Coach Todd McLellan) “I think he tried to push every button that he could. . . . Obviously there are things he’s questioning himself about. Todd’s a big boy and he can answer those. But he’ll definitely be our coach going forward.”

(Should the core group be broken up) “There’s levels of your core and there won’t be one player or staff member that doesn’t get questioned. Should any of us feel comfortable? The answer is no. Do we have to change the mix? Absolutely.”

(On the idea that drawing Anaheim was bad luck) “Where we wanted to get to, we would have had to beat Anaheim, we would have had to beat Detroit. . .. People say it was the luck of the draw, but that’s an excuse again. If we had played Detroit in the first round, deal with it and beat them.

“Our goal is to win. If you have to avoid people to get to where you want to, then there’s something wrong with the team. This woe-is-me (attitude) ends. We should have found a way to beat them.”

(On forcing players to confront what just happened) “I told all our players, I don’t want anybody avoiding it. Somebody comes up and tells you how they feel, you look them in the eye and you better listen and understand that disappointment is real.

“This should stick with people and eat at them all summer. A couple of guys were literally in tears today, real tears.”

(Is he thinking “blow up the roster” or something more surgical) “Right now, everything from one extreme to the other will be explored. Where we end up will come from some of the evalualtions and input from people who get a chance to speak. I’m not going to sit here and say we’re just going to make minor tweaks. It would be foolish to say that.”

The GM is laying down the law pretty quick eh, definitely all sounds good in terms of turning the corner, but will have to see how much goes into action, will Thornton/Marleau be gone? How about Cheecho? Nabokov is a great regular season goalie, but hasn't won much in the playoffs, is it time for a change in goal?

top shelf15 wrote:Trade marleau,thorton and what ever else they have to ,to get getzlaf he Wing Dang Doodle slapped joe and marleau all series long .Why cant ottawa get a getzlaf man alive that would be sweet :D:

Correct GM, unfortunately he was drafting for the Ducks, not for us.

man oh man... It appears the Habs and now the Sharks could potentially undergo massive facelifts!

Exciting times for sure!