Is Owen Nolan next?? OOPS NEVER MIND.
July 5th, 2008 by cantstopthegrierWhat a great time for Sharks fans. We asked for change, and we got it. This team is going to have a different look next year, with a former Norris trophy winner and perhaps a future one on the blueline.
Let’s not underestimate the addition of Brad Lukowich. There’s something to be said about familiarity, and trading for a star in Boyle and bring along his defensive partner from when the Lightning won the Cup was a smart play on DW’s part. Why not? They are a proven commodity together, so why break up something that already works. Lukowich is nothing flashy, but he does play physical. He does like to think of himself as an old school defensemen, dishing out hits and blocking shots.
Here’s a clip of a big hit on Prucha in 2007
Look familiar? Like Kyle McLaren used to play. In 53 games, Lukowich led the Bolts with 153 hits and was 3rd with 108 blocked shots. IN 53 GAMES. This would have tied him for the lead in blocked shot on the Sharks and he would have led San Jose in hits. IN 53 GAMES. This is why not only will Rivet be gone, but the rumors of McLaren to Ottawa are likely true. More on that in a sec.
As for Boyle, the numbers show he is a more complete defensemen than Campbell, more likely to dish out a hit and block a shot. It appears Boyle would not be overmatched in a series against Calgary, unlike Campbell who needed a bodyguard out there.
Brian Campbell 83 games (2007-08) 62 points 61 hits 96 blocked shots
Dan Boyle 82 games (2006-07) 63 points 103 hits 118 blocked shots
So, if McLaren is traded for a draft pick, then the Sharks are down to 48.9M. Do you think that it’s possible Doug Wilson has a deal in place with Owen Nolan, asked him to wait for him to clear the room, and the ink will be put on paper sometime next week? Dreger said an unnamed team had an offer out for Nolan, two years/5M. This would be the final missing piece of the puzzle for me. Nolan showed last year that he can still play extemely physical, he can kill penalties, he can score a clutch goal and he can be an extreme pain in the ass. But…is there enough room under the cap to sign Nolan and keep Clowe and Ehrhoff? It depends on how willing the Sharks will be to get up to the cap number.
We’ll see how things play out. Obviously Doug Wilson is full of surprises, and so far Sharks ownership has lived up to their end of the bargain and incresed payroll and backed up their words to bring a Cup contender to the Bay Area.
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11 Responses to “Is Owen Nolan next?? OOPS NEVER MIND.”
By Jerry on Jul 5, 2008
It’d sure be cool to have Nolan back in Teal if the Sharks were to win the Cup. You know what else would be cool? If Mats Sundin is part of the formula as well. The naysayers will argue that Sundin isn’t interested in San Jose and there’s no way the Sharks could afford him anyway. But I think Sundin is actually holding out FOR San Jose.
There have been teams who have offered him big money (Vancouver) and others who have offered Sundin a chance to win now (Detroit, New York, Montreal). Sundin remains in limbo. Why? I’ll tell ya. Cuz he’s a private person who’s had enough of playing in a town like Toronto where such intense media/fan pressure just burns you out. Yet, he wants to find a winning situation.
San Jose would be the perfect destination for him. Sundin could become our next Vincent Damphousse. Wilson just needs to figure out a way to make it work. Let this be the all-time offseason in Sharks history!
By bcyde on Jul 5, 2008
If the sharks could pull this off I think the whole Campbell departure would end up looking like a blessing rather than a disappointment.
By Ian on Jul 5, 2008
I know before Nolan signed with Calgary San Jose made a decent push for him so seeing him back in Teal will not suprise me at all. I’m all for it I like what Nolan brings to the table and was a huge shark killer in the playoffs last year. Jerry I love your optimism and hope that there is some way we would see Sundin in Teal but I’m not holding my breath. But if he does feel free to come back here and tell me to stuff it.
Other then Vancouvers huge offer I would have to think the only other teams in the running at this point would be Montreal and as a PR move by the leafs a return to Toronto the sharks if they play their cards right could make a push and really I’d be shocked if they didn’t. I just don’t think its in the cards.
By cantstopthegrier on Jul 5, 2008
I will go on the record with saying it.
Jerry - you are as high as a Dave Matthews concert if you think Sundin is coming to San Jose.
By cantstopthegrier on Jul 5, 2008
I don’t remember Brian Campbell fighting anyone. Boyle has a little bit of piss in him…even if it was Zach Parise. I like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTOC8uSL7qg
By Mike on Jul 6, 2008
I agree with the rest of the commenters- even if we had $20M in room, Sundin wouldn’t come here. For two reasons- a) he’d hate the travel schedule, turns out that factors into a lot of player’s plans, and b) he likes to be the superstar, the topic of conversation. With a Vezina finalist, a Hart winner, and a brand-new Stanley Cup winning defenseman, it’s unlikely Sundin will be the main object of hero-worship.
By Will on Jul 6, 2008
Do either of you know if he’s a private person or likes the limelight beyond what would fit your arguement? Just wondering if there’s anything specific that leads you to your deductions…Please share…Oh, and did anyone else go to the Lukowich hit and see the 4th “Related Video” is one of McLaren doing the exact same thing to Prucha? Kinda funny/interesting/ironic.
By cantstopthegrier on Jul 6, 2008
So much for Nolan. He signed with the Wild. I hope he likes back-checking.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242702&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_nhl
By Ian on Jul 6, 2008
Well Nolan would have been a nice addition but by no means was it the missing peice. Lets just hope we don’t see the wild come spring cause he was a huge pain in the rear in the 1st round for Calgary.
By Jerry on Jul 6, 2008
Yes, I’m high - high on life! I can’t help it when Doug Wilson and the Sharks make such bold offseason moves!
Look. Signing Mats Sundin is the longshot of all longshots. I know it’s more wishful thinking than reality. But it just makes too much sense for it not to happen.
I’ve always heard about Sundin being a “private” person. It was even mentioned in this Toronto Star article - http://www.thestar.com/Hockey/article/421402
If he was in it for the money, he would’ve signed with Vancouver already. If he was in it for the limelight, he would’ve signed with Montreal. If he just wanted to find the easiest path to the Cup, he would’ve signed with Detroit. So what gives? Why hasn’t he signed with anybody yet?
Last year, he took less money from Toronto to free up salary cap room so the Leafs had the financial flexibility to get more talent. So money is not his motive - winning is.
In Montreal, even with all of their talent, Sundin would most likely be their headliner. But something tells me he wants nothing to do with their intense media/fan scrutiny.
Winning in a lower pressure environment must be his angle. And winning San Jose its first-ever Stanley Cup would be much more groundbreaking than if he won another Cup for Detroit.
So there you have it. Let’s go Doug Wilson. Reel him in. Sundin’s waiting for you.
By scotty on Jul 6, 2008
Area 51, Stonehenge and the Pyramids are less mysterious than Mats Sundin’s brain this summer. After most of the UFAs have been grabbed, this Leafs fan thinks Sundin has two options swimming in his brain: 1) retire, or 2) tell everyone it’s one more year with the Leafs just for old time’s sake and this time don’t ask me to be traded thankyou very much b/c that really, really hurt my feelings, etc, etc and can you please keep my buddy McCabe around too, cuz we’ve had some laughs and beers now and again and I don’t think he’s as bad as EVERYONE else says…or whatever…this fan of #13 has moved on and so should everyone else :).
PS That’s a lot of money for Nolan. But apparently that’s the norm as of 07/01/08.