Lukowich & Cheechoo Update

by Mr. Plank on Dec 5, 2008 6:57 PM PST in Sharks News

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Brad Lukowich	25	0	5	5	7	6	0	0	0	0	17	0.0

Sharks Coach Todd McLellan didn’t go the "lower body" route on Lukowich’s injury suffered sometime in the middle of the second period. It’s a groin problem, McLellan said, and while it will keep him out of the lineup against Edmonton, the prognosis is he should be ready to go when the Sharks play Anaheim on Thursday night.

- King David, WTC

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Jonathan Cheechoo	19	4	4	8	1	14	2	1	1	0	41	9.8

Cheechoo continues to rehab his upper body injury, the earlier one he aggravated against Dallas a week ago. While he hasn’t practice yet with the team, Cheechoo has skated on his own. Mostly though, he’s working on leg and lung maintenance while idled.

And it continues to be likely that he’ll miss at least as many games this time as the four he did when he was first hurt against St. Louis on Nov. 6. In fact, Cheechoo could be on the sidelines this entire homestand.

- King David, WTC

Luowich's groin means Semenov will be in against the Oil. React to that information however you deem fit.

Cheechoo's current situation is the one that gets me worried. He's been injury-plagued the last two years, and since opening night (where he scored twice) has been fairly invisible. The Cheechoo Train has effectively been derailed.

The former Rocket Richard winner is a player who has a knack for finding the soft spot in the slot and capitalizing on one-timers. He's not going to create scoring opportunities with his skating ability. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, his production has suffered immensely due to the fact that he's been relegated to third line duties. No Joe Thornton and no Joe Pavelski equals limited production from our beloved sniper. Coupled with injury woes, a rise to top-six minutes seems highly unlikely.

His $3.00 million/year salary will light fire to trade rumors once we hit the new year. Watch this one closely folks.

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Train and Pylon

During the 2003-04 season, Cheech managed to record 28 goals and 19 assists playing 81 games on the third line alongside Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton. If he can stay healthy, I would expect the train to get back on track.

As for Semenov, I suppose it’s fitting he should get back on the ice to face the team that drafted him 36th overall in ’99

I got a good laugh reading the scouting report:

Plus: Semenov towers over the opposition with his imposing 6’6 frame. Skill-wise, Alexei surprised many last year with a stellar effort in the OHL, as he was rewarded for his efforts with the honour as the league’s top defenseman. Big, tough, aggressive, talented and inventive, Semenov has potential all-star written all over him. A bone-crunching open-ice hitter, Semenov earned a reputation as the junior version of Scott Stevens.

Minus: Semenov did his best to minimize on his weaknesses last year. He shot more and showed better offensive instincts on the ice. He has a hard shot, but will be required to quicken the release to transfer his goal-scoring prowess to the NHL level.

What to expect: The Oilers have great blueline depth, so Alexei might develop further in the AHL. He will need a solid pre-season showing to stick with the big club.

Overall Grade: A-

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Dec 5, 2008 7:21 PM PST reply actions

Good point, but he wasn’t battling the injury bug that year either. I think we’re looking at a forty point season for Cheech with everything involved.

That Semenov scouting report is gold.

Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.

by Mr. Plank on Dec 5, 2008 8:13 PM PST up reply actions

Do you think a team would take Cheechoo for a first?

Or is that too much to ask at this point?

Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.

by Threepwood XX on Dec 5, 2008 10:30 PM PST reply actions

And then throw McGinn on the right wing? Hmmm, interesting proposition. The only way I see this happening this season (the offseason is a whole other ballgame):

1) Teams are willing to look past his injury problems- even then, his value will be down.
2) Doug Wilson is looking to make a big trade at the deadline and needs to clear cap space- the current roster (barring call-ups/send downs) is basically intact unless he moves a fairly large contract.
3) The Sharks feel trading a recent Rocket Richard winner won’t hurt them in the playoffs.
4) Wilson is completely sure the chemistry in the locker room won’t be affected.

In my mind, a lot of potentital roadblocks. If we’re going to trade him for a first, I see no reason to do during this season- wait it out and see if you can make a move at the draft. Anything before that is a little rash. I would wait, but then again, I don’t get paid the big bucks.

All that being said, I like where your head is at. A first round pick would be great considering we’ve given up a lot of young talent/picks lately.

Fear The Fin: Where the second round is overrated.

by Mr. Plank on Dec 5, 2008 10:47 PM PST up reply actions

Dougie is not one to give up on his players. ie..Paty Marleau, Now cheech is no Patty, but dont forget who repesented the sharks at the “State of the Sharks” It would be suicide to trade a fan favorite. That said..imo cheechoo is nothing more than a 3rd liner, he over achieved the year he won the richard. He has turned in to a hard checking fwd, which is needed on any 3rd line. With the depth and talent the sharks have, and the fact that cheech just cannot skate, I doubt he will ever see top six again

by tiburonefan on Dec 6, 2008 9:23 AM PST up reply actions

I think it's a back issue with Cheechoo...

and those are never good. Back problems spell serious trouble for pro-athletes. Of course, I’m speculating, but from the way I’ve seen him play, I’d say it’s the back.

I wouldn’t be averse to trading him, but he would be a tough sell. I’d say hold on to him, wait for his value to pick up a bit so that we could get something that would help the team. He might even end up being the odd man out when Torrey comes back.

Fear The Fin: Gloating during the season, crying during the playoffs.

by Matthew_Taylor on Dec 6, 2008 12:17 AM PST reply actions

Semenov

against the speedy new look oilers equals trouble. With the intelligence of the best GM in hockey, (o.k. maybe the second best, sorry Kenny) couldnt we have done better for depth here??

by tiburonefan on Dec 6, 2008 9:12 AM PST reply actions