The Return of Claude vs. The Return of Mats

by Mr. K. on Jan 21, 2009 12:41 AM PST in Sharks Game Recaps

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"See this, Mats? Wouldn't you like one?"

"(sniff) Jerk."

For the sake of comparison, I'd like to look briefly at the first "comeback" games of both Claude Lemieux (San Jose) and Mats Sundin (Vancouver). The two elder statesmen (they must hate hearing that) met tonight at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, where the Sharks tied the game in the waning seconds, before winning in overtime (~~to be discussed on this site soon~~ ah here's a link to a real review).

Sundin was playing in his 7th game as a Vancouver Canuck - the team is now 1-4-2 with him, by the way. Of course, Lemieux's first game back was tonight - so it's only fitting and fair to look at how Mats and Claude did in each of those first-games-back, as well as a few other stats.

Mats Sundin (Vancouver, #13)

Age = 38 on February 13
First game back = January 7, 2009, @ Edmonton Oilers
Response of fans to presence = Boos every time Sundin touched puck (note - Edmonton crowd)
Last season of play = 2007-08 Toronto Maple Leafs (74 games)
Result of first game back = 4-2 victory for visiting Canucks
TOI = 15:02, in 24 shifts
Points = None
Shots on goal = None
Hits = One (on Erik Cole)
Faceoff win % = 50% (9 of 18)
Primary linemates = Kyle Wellwood and Mason Raymond
Salary = Equivalent to $8.2 million (for remainder of season, apx. $5 million); U.F.A. next season

Claude Lemieux (San Jose, #32)

Age = 43
First game back = January 20, 2009 vs. Vancouver Canucks
Response of fans to presence = Extended cheering (any enemy of the Red Wings is a friend of ours)
Last season of play = 2002-03 Dallas Stars (32 games)
Result of first game back = 2-1 O.T. victory for Sharks
TOI = 7:08, in 12 shifts
Points = None
Shots on goal = Three
Hits = Three (on Darcy Hordichuk, Willie Mitchell, and Mattias Ohlund)
Primary linemates = Jody Shelley and Tomas Plihal
Salary = $500,000; U.F.A. next season

I'll leave the well-thought out analysis to others (in the comments, if you don't mind) - but at the risk of sounding biased, Claude appears to be more bang for his buck. Note how much was accomplished in less than half the ice time = 3 shots on goal (compared to zero), and 3 hits (compared to 1). Does this make him an instant fit? Let's not get carried away - but the initial responses are good from the team (according to Joe Thornton during his interview with Rusanowsky).

Now if you'll excuse me, duty calls. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ......

Huh, wuh? Go Sharks. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.....

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Comments

A good first step

I thought. I was really hoping he would score a goal, but not expecting it from the ice time he was going to get.

He did what was expected of him and a little bit more, but not much.

The real key for me was the way he skated. Its no secret that even during his prime, Claude Lemieux was never going to beat Paul Kariya in a race to the puck, but Claude has some jump in his legs last night. He is still not fast by NHL standards (nor is he the most fluid skater), but he looked as quick to me as he ever did and certainly wasn’t a liability or embarrassing himself out there as many implied he would. He skated as good as, maybe even a little better than when he left in 03.

Even if McClellan never promotes him past the 4th line, Claude Lemieux is going to be an excellent addition to this team… and worth every penny.

If Granato and/or Giguere really think that this is "up-tempo," I feel bad for their wives.

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 5:49 AM PST reply actions

I’ll admit I was a little skeptical going into last night, but number 32 looked good relative to his role on the team. He was strong on the forecheck, had a nice little touch pass to set Shelley up with a great scoring opportunity, and as you mentioned, didn’t look out of place skating at all.

I may be drawing a premature conclusion here, but didn’t it seem his presence motivated the Sharks to pick up the physical play? We were laying on the body all night, something that hasn’t been as commonplace as I would like.

Only question is can he keep up the conditioning and not get gassed playing multiple games in a row. I’ll be watching him closely on January 31st against the Blackhawks- but for now, all signs are pointing to him being a solid contributor to the team.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Jan 21, 2009 11:39 AM PST up reply actions

I was pretty impressed by Claude.

He was moving pretty good, got a great scoring chance and had some big hits. He brought some much needed energy to last night’s game. He seemed like he was the only player not named Nabokov who wasn’t already on his all star break. If he keeps it up, another Doug Wilson dice roll will have paid off.

And speaking of old guys, has anyone else seen this? http://www.roenicklife.com/journal.php

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker

by Lurker Shark on Jan 21, 2009 6:36 AM PST reply actions

it was fun

to watch claude play. i was sitting right behind the goal and there was a moment when i genuinely thought he was going to score. he seemed to be working really hard and with both JR and blakey out, he’ll give us that been-around-the-block veteran presence. all in all, yet another good choice by doug wilson.

lemieux > sundin.

goochaay

by carolinee on Jan 21, 2009 6:52 AM PST reply actions

Yeah, Sundin didn’t impress me at all, he looked out of shape, his hands were average at best, and he was playing dumb hockey. He took that bad penalty in the first and could’ve had 2 or 3 more that weren’t called, most notably the slash on Boyle in the 2nd.

I hate when NHL officials call the game NBA style. Traveling is okay, if your name is Jordan or Bryant. Obstruction and slashing are okay, if your name is Crosby or Sundin. Bush league.

If Granato and/or Giguere really think that this is "up-tempo," I feel bad for their wives.

by JonHaven on Jan 21, 2009 7:07 AM PST up reply actions