Sharks Hockey Analysis

Riffing on a Misguided Blogger…

I admit, I like to read Hockeybuzz for the sheer entertainment value of hockey gossip and some decent commentary by some of their team bloggers, but what has gotten into Sharks blogger Ryan Garner? I thought I’d comment on his bizarre suggestions of how to fix the Sharks roster .

Patrick Marleau for Ryan Smyth? Why even make the suggestion when it is impossible. Considering the rumor mill, Doug Wilson tried to get Smyth and Ryan wanted to play with his buddy Sakic instead of live in Sunny California. How about Garner’s brilliant suggestion of Matt Carle for Brian Seabrook? A great deal for San Jose and a deal that Chicago would never make - NEVER. Seabrook signed to a cheaper extension and, right now, he is the better player. How about a few realistic suggestions on how to improve this roster right now, for this season and for the long term. We all know the problems and components this team lacks - a number one defensemen, a 2nd line forward and an effective 4th line role player. Let’s get real for a moment. The Sharks have a top line (Thornton, Cheechoo, Michalek) and a 3rd line (Grier, Mitchell, The Rizz). They have no 2nd line to speak of. None. They have two players who seem intersted in doing protypical, 4th line duties (J.R. and Shelley). That leaves some players without a role, due to their own underachievement or possible lack of consistent opportunity to play in a scoring line situation.

Here is what the Sharks have to offer. Look at this as a value menu of talented, young players who might not have a role on the Sharks and let teams pick and choose.

You may order one of these young, inexpensive forwards: Bernier, Setoguchi, Pavelski
You may order one of these young, inexpensive defensemen: Carle, Ehrhoff, Vlasic
You may order one proven 80 point scorer who is having a down year and comes with a two year extension: Marleau

Now, fax your menu to all the GM’s in the league and go shopping.

PRIORITY NUMBER ONE: GET A NUMBER ONE DEFENSEMEN AND LOCK HIM UP
I’m of the mind right now that if the Sharks don’t get Campbell or Boyle or McCabe, then it is another failure in a long string of failed attempts for DW in his quest for a #1 puck-moving D-man. I know what he wants. He wants himself - Doug Wilson!! Someone in his own image on this team. A puck moving, hard nosed guy who would play without a helmet and provide the ROCK this team desperately needs. Settling for a 2nd tier player here will not suffice. Just say no to Brad Stuart and Bryan Berard. The time is now for the Sharks to get an impact defensemen to pair with Craig Rivet. Get the man and make him a Shark for the next six years. This is a need that will always haunt the Sharks until they address it.

To Buffalo: Setoguchi, Ehrhoff and 2008 #1 pick
To San Jose: Brian Campbell and sign him for six years/36M

PRIORITY NUMBER TWO: GET A TRUE SECOND LINE FORWARD
Let’s assume Marleau stays, okay? Who the hell does he have to play with? It’s not really fair to say to Patty go out and get 80 points with Plihal and Bernier on your wing. The Sharks need a 2nd line scoring winger. Prospal, Satan, Straka. All these guys could be available for a young forward and, if Marleau stays, he deserves to have two weapons on his wing - Ryane Clowe will be one and I don’t think the Sharks have the other currently on the roster. How about Wilson going a little off the map and getting a guy who is under contract for one more year who might also need a change in scenery. Carolina’s recent deal with Ottawa sends the message that they want to get younger while remaining competitive today.

To Carolina: Steve Bernier and a Worcester defensemen (Joslin or Spang)
To San Jose: Erik Cole

PRIORITY NUMBER THREE: GET A GUY WHO LIKES DOING THE FOURTH LINE WORK
Get Chris Gratton and let him loose on the 4th line. He is good enough to play some spot 2nd line duty, but he is physical and skilled. The Sharks are forcing kids (Pavelski and Bernier) to play on the 4th line when they are unable and not suited for that kind of constant grit.

To Tampa Bay: Joe Pavelski
To San Jose: Chris Gratton and a 3rd round pick

Let’s crunch the numbers - Setoguchi is signed for 0.85M, Bernier, Ehrhoff and Pavelski are all due for raises in the offseason, so let’s say the forwards both get 2.3M per and Ehrhoff gets 3M so that’s roughly 8.5M in salary. Campbell and Cole make 10M for 2008-09 and puts the Sharks at 45M in salary, leaving 8-9 million or so (once the cap goes up)to resign Clowe, Goc, Rissmiller or keep Gratton and hit the UFA market. Sounds like alot of cash, right? Well, as we’ve said before, the Sharks have probably 13M in RFA’s and UFA’s to deal with anyways. So, what will prevail - staying at around 45M in salary or fielding a Cup winner? It’s time to stop waiting on the young guys go out and get the veteran help this team and this fan base so deeply deserves.