Once we are healthy...

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 5:04 PM PDT Comment 65 comments

how will our lines shape up for the playoffs?

i was thinking something like this:

1.Marleau-Thornton-Clowe

2.Michalek-Pavelski-Setoguchi

3.Grier-Goc-Cheechoo

4.Shelley-Mitchell-Moen

D1-Boyle-Lukowich

D2-Blake-Vlasic

D3-Ehrhoff-Murray

G-Nabs, Bouchier

and while i was thinking about this i realized that Roenick, Lemeiux, Huskins, Plihal, McGinn, Semenov, and Staubitz didn't have a spot

but the reason we brought Lemeuix and Huskins was FOR the playoffs, and Roenick plays well in the playoffs too...Sooooooooooooo what will our roster end up looking like???

This item was created by a member of this blog's community and is not necessarily endorsed by Fear The Fin.

0 recs | Comment 65 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I don’t think Mitchell will be playing yet. Even if he is, he won’t be going every game. There are a few guys that I don’t think will play every game, and we should play whoever is going well. I don’t think Lemeiux or Huskins play too much. Roenick should though. I imagine Lemeiux and Huskins are good guys to keep around for injury and good clubhouse dudes.

join the cause: www.weplaygreen.org

by gore51 on Mar 31, 2009 5:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome...

Mitchell is very doubtful. I’d say that Shelley will also see limited minutes. In a perfect world… here’s what I’d like to see:

Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi
Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe
McGinn-Goc-Cheechoo
Grier-Roenick-Moen

The D will shake out accordingly, with Huskins and Semmy splitting minutes. I’d put Seto back on line 1, and Clowe on 2… those lines clicked so well before the injury.

Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture

by That'll Cheech You on Mar 31, 2009 5:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree with TCY. I’m definitely switching Moen and Grier, and JR is starting on my playoff squad. Unfortunately for Huskins, unless he gets some game time before the playoffs start, I don’t see him making a lot of ice time in the playoffs.

In real life, Torrey isn’t going to play this year, and I don’t think we’re gonna see Clowe before round two.

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Mar 31, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ehh, we’ll probably see Clowe before the playoffs start – they did say 10-14 days, and it hasn’t been that quite yet.

Then again, I am the person who completely bought into the “6-8 weeks” prediction for Torrey back in August, so what do I know.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=62303&sectionId=10506

But I thought Torrey broke his leg when Bobbie was out there in September?

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Mar 31, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like someone was looking at firearms. Second amendment ftw!

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

yeah, my son wants to trade me a gun I used to carry as a back up when I was on duty…it’s not like I use it a lot anymore

But it is a gun…and my fingers are cold and dead yet…so I’m having an issue

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Mar 31, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, I wasn’t really doing the LW RW thing. Of course Moen and Grier would play their natural positions.

Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture

by That'll Cheech You on Mar 31, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d have to agree with your line choices there.

My only thing is that on the fourth line I might play one of the following with that line:

Lemieux
Shelley
Staubitz
Plihal

I think having Shelley or Staubitz or Lemieux available on the fourth line could be valuable to us against a team that is physical. I dont envision much, if any fighting during the playoffs, but it’s nice to have that option to throw somebody over the boards should we need to.

Also, no love for Plihal? He has been solid all season! When he’s healthy I’d alternate him into the line up if I could.

by Morti on Mar 31, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

just something to think about

Mitchell is very doubtful

that’s what we said about clowe last year and look what he did in the playoffs for us. i’m not saying that mitchell will play and play well, but it’s just something to keep in the back of our minds. plus having his fresh fast legs would help a lot.

"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Mar 31, 2009 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

plus having his fresh fast legs would help a lot.

Having to leg injuries in two months doesn’t always work out that well. I’m holding out hope, but Mitchell is not Clowe. Every case, and every player, is different.

Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture

by That'll Cheech You on Mar 31, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maaaaaaaaaan how good?

would Mitchell have been this year if he didn’t get hurt
look at how Setoguchi has evolved to a 35-35 guy
Mitchell would have been teh best

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very, very true.

Think it might be better just to shut him down until next season? Beside the physical questions with Mitchell, he’d also be having to work with a new coach and new system and a few new faces. Playoffs probably aren’t the best time to be trying to get the hang of things. DW can do what he did with Clowe, sign him to a cheap one year extension and see how he does in 09-10.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

one year?

but what if he turns out to be as studly as projected?
wouldn’t it be smarter to sign him a little longer term for cheaper as to prevent him from leaving after next year with a lucrative contract from another team?

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

especially because

we have a TON of potential free agents after next year including Nabs and the captain himself

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t forget Joe Pavs and Gooch either.

I think (especially considering the current cap climate- reports have stated that it’s possible it will be decreasing in the future), that’s the main reason we don’t sign him for a longer term deal. It’s risky business signing a guy to a multi-year contract when he didn’t play a lick of ice time beforehand.

Mitchell’s main asset is his speed. WIth a broken leg, that speed may be diminished. He’s not exactly the biggest guy on the team either, which makes him more susceptible to re-aggravating that injury down the road.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

:(

forgot about Pavs and Seto, it’s weird how in hockey young players can leave so much faster than any other sport
who do you guys see being extended this off season?
and on Mitchell…if you could get him on a 3 year 1.5 mil per year would would pull the trigger?

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you could get him on a 3 year 1.5 mil per year would would pull the trigger?

No way for me. Anything under one million at two years I would be fine with, but the shoe’s going to have to drop somewhere in terms of letting players go. If you scan the comments in that post, BawLa had some really good points.

Oh, and I’m not sure exactly what I said there, but I would keep Ehrhoff in all his error prone ways over Blake. I’ve got faith that Semenov can be had for wayyy cheap and develop into a physical/power play presence. Basically he would be a poor (hell, very poor) man’s Blake.

It all sort of ties into fitting under the cap with the aforementioned cap problems. We gotta bite the bullet somewhere, and with Joslin in the wings (and Luko not likely to be re-upped in my opinion due to cap space/current play), Semenov might be the route we have to take.

Another thing to consider- this is the first time the Sharks have ever spent to the cap ceiling. Management has been notoriously on the lower end of the salary cap spectrum.

Just sayin’, but this year is our best chance to win the Cup. I’m not saying Wilson will completely re-tool after this year, but a cutback is very possible.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah on defense

we’re set with Boyle, Ehrhoff, and Murray locked up long term
we have to get Pickles locked up long term as soon as possible because he has more upside than i think anyone on our roster(already a 40 point defense man at 21!)
i agree with you on Semenov, he has the size to intimidate any opposing player and has pretty decent hands(he just needs to move his feet and not grab people)

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think resigning Pickles went without saying – he’s definitely going to be the stalwart on our defense for the next decade or so.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

imagine a blue line

of Boyle paired with Vlasic
that’s a 120 point combo in a year or two

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And any time

Semi starts knocking pucks into his own net, The Todd can just have him do a stint on the 4th line to straighten him back out.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Oh, and I’m not sure exactly what I said there, but I would keep Ehrhoff in all his error prone ways over Blake. I’ve got faith that Semenov can be had for wayyy cheap and develop into a physical/power play presence. Basically he would be a poor (hell, very poor) man’s Blake.

I think I said something many months ago that I didn’t think Blake was going to be here for more than one year anyway. That leaves us with 5m in cap room. With the maturation in Semenov, I don’t think he’s going to be missed near as much.

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Apr 1, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i guess we are getting rid of 5 mill,

but murray and vlasic contracts both bump up

I don't like you Detroit.

by mattman on Apr 1, 2009 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true.

It’s going to be interesting, and probably pretty painful, watching DW get it done. I figure some of the guys, including the captain, would be willing to take a hometown discount.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it would,

but DW is a pretty player friendly GM. He probably gave Clowe that one year deal partly so he could see what he’d actually be worth after a season of actually playing. I’d imagine he’d do the same thing with Mitchell.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and Clowe did play the last fifteen or so games of the year- he had enough time to jump in and get his legs going. In my opinion dressing Mitchell during the playoffs when he hasn’t seen a lick of ice time (besides two games in Worcester) is comparable to sending a lamb to the slaughter.

I dunno, I just think it would be a huge mistake.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO, the top two lines will look like they did for most of the season:
Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi
Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe

As for the bottom two lines, it really is dependent on the team that the Sharks will be up against. If its a physical team like the Ducks or Flames, expect Shelley and/or Staubitz to be out on the ice. If its more of a skilled, offensive team, expect there to be a shutdown fourth line (i.e. Moen-Goc-Grier) instead of our normal “Shelley plus the AHL” one we have right now. The fact that we have so many players contributing to the team that there are those options really is a testament to the depth of the organization.

That said, my favorite lines:

Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi
Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe
McGinn-Roenick-Cheechoo
Moen-Goc-Grier

Three solid offensive lines (the third less so than the top two, but has the ability to score in clutch situations and won’t be a defensive liability) and a fourth line that is a total shutdown line. Shelley/Staubitz can be substituted in whenever McLellan sees fit to have an enforcer out on the ice. Plus, all the left wingers start with the letter “M,” which is awesome.

The defense will probably shake out with the normal pairings (the ones that you have).

And the reason why we have so many extra players is that there are injuries in the playoffs as well, along with slumps and (judging by the trend this year) babies. Teams normally carry 8 defensemen going into the playoffs, hence the trade for Huskins (although Joslin certainly wouldn’t be a complete liability on the ice). And like I said before, the excess of forwards allows McLellan to be able to customize the team to different situations and play around with the chemistry a bit more, as well as resting players or punishing them.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 5:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As usual

she blows the rest of us away

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Mar 31, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That she does.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree and Disagree...

Agree on the lines and the usage of the “enforcers”. I’ll take it a bit farther: I don’t know if we should be rolling with Shelley/Staubitz, regardless of who we face. I think that (and this is just me thinking) we have enough physical leaders around (Blake, Murray, Moen) without Shelley or Staubitz on the ice. Do we want to sacrifice the skill of McGinn for a guy who can throw a few punches against their enforcer and then sit for five minutes? I don’t.

As for lines three and four… I’m switching the centers. Roenick is everyones favorite, I know. However, Goc has been a machine as of late: winning faceoffs, creating opportunities, etc.

Again, we’re splitting hairs, and you always do a great job of laying out your ideas. Much appreciated.

Fear the Fin: Approved by ESPN and Logan Couture

by That'll Cheech You on Mar 31, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't completely rule out dressing an enforcer.

I could see one of Shelley/Staubitz being dressed for a game in a series if someone were to take a run at one of our guys. Since we seem to have an unfortunate track record of that crap happening, I’d hope that those two would be more than a deterrent sitting in the press box if need be.

McGinn-Goc-Cheechoo? I like that. Let’s see what Goc can do with a couple wings that can score.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I think the enforcer gets dressed when needed. Last year was a good example. IIRC, Jody didn’t play much. That said, Jody and Stauby have both shown then can play and not just fight which give the Todd more options

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad

by Dave Valentine on Mar 31, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah and if the injured don’t heal (knock on wood lotsa) Sharks can have Jody AND Stauby playing, going for the intimidation factor. Ehrhoff will also be a tough guy throwing his glove in your face when possible, angry little Joe Pavs will throw out some invisible head butts, and Semmy will “rough” them up.

by idunno723 on Mar 31, 2009 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly both ways work with me (mostly because I don’t have the brain power to think it out).

Either way the Sharks will be super awesomely awesome. If you’re having problems filling out lines with 12 players AND have extra players that can certainly play, (like it has been said before) this is a “good” problem for the Sharks.

by idunno723 on Mar 31, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

it’s almost like you think before you type. maybe i should try that.

and what about jr? not saying he’s better than those guys, but having him in the lineup speaks for itself.

"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Mar 31, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He definitely brings energy with him.

And I for one won’t forget last year’s WCQF Game 7 either.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

since no Mitchell

im thinking JR is undoubtedly the C of choice for the 4th line assuming we let Goc man the 3rd line with his face off prowess and consummate passing abilities

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s a 7 in his jersey for a reason.

Wooooooo

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 8:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad that is the best “awesome-JR-goal-celebration-from-game-7” picture I can find

by idunno723 on Mar 31, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was thinking Clowe on 1

because that way Thornton doesn’t have to be the guy standing in front of the goalie and he can be on the side making passes like only Joe can
but then again Clowe was the best set up guy on the 2nd line earlier in the season so either way it’s win-win, especially since Seto has gotten back to his scoring ways

and true Mitchell might not be back this year which could be a blessing in disguise as he is a RFA after the year and maybe we can sign him for cheap

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 8:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Very true.

Should make resigning him easier. We can only hope.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But the first line isn’t exactly filled with small players after Joe – Marleau is a good 6’2" and Seto, while being a “mere” 6’0", is pretty solid. And all three guys have shown that they can go to the net and screen the goalie, and they often rotate in and out of the position as the play goes on. On that line, there is no designated screener because there doesn’t need to be a designated screener.

The second line, on the other hand, is a bit smaller and softer. I mean, Pavs and Michalek will go after guys and aren’t afraid of the rough stuff (especially this season), but they don’t have that brute strength that the first line has. Enter Clowe, who brings the size and strength, and can sustain a position in front of the crease. Sure, I’ve seen Pavs stand there before, but Clowe usually has the best success.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if they play llike they did during 2008

im all for a 1st line reunion
it just seemed like during the stretch of losses the line of Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi was…inadequate
and right now the 2nd line is jellin’ so if they play like they are in two weeks if I was McLellan I would keep them together

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice fucking discussion going on in here folks. Love it.

I don’t have the time to go into my opinion too much tonight (sports management courses, while seemingly fun and breezy, actually end up being a load of work once you get into the societal tenets they begin to encompass) , but mymclife did a good job of laying out the lines I would like to see. Sans Goc. I completely agree with TCY that he needs to be between the dots on the third line. We’ve been blowing each other over our admiration this whole year, but it’s how it’s gonna be.

As for signing Mitchell for cheap (I’m in the boat with some of you- he’s not seeing a lick of play time this postseason), I sort of touched on it here. All in all, it’s definitely a good thing.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

School work already?

Dude, the quarter just started yesterday. Even graduate engineering isn’t that brutal. Besides, doesn’t K have a saying about this place and obligations? Something about preventing them wasn’t it?

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha, and yet here I am. The thing is I’m trying to stay on top of absolutely everything this quarter and not procrastinate, because if I do then either a) my grades take a hit or b) the Sharks/FTF get less time.

B just ain’t gonna happen, so I’m left with busting my ass.

In between that and playing/practicing on my hockey team and writing for the school paper, it’s nose to the grindstone from here on out.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I hear that.

Work and taking 3 classes really doesn’t leave time for much else. What’s left is pretty much all going to hockey.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i say the same every quarter

it lasts two weeks and then i go back to procrastinating

by a10dency2ask on Apr 1, 2009 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I come back and there is still no love for Plihal!!!

I think he has as much right to play as McGinn does. We shall see!

by Morti on Mar 31, 2009 9:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plihal

kind of gets lost in the crowd
even though last year he was one of our best skaters during the Dallas series
i would personally start him over McGinn because he is more experienced but i think McGinn has more of a future with the club(21 years old)

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check back tomorrow, there’s a little piece coming out (inspired by this wonderful discussion) on how he matches up with the other bottom line guys.

Plihal definitely gets my man love Morti, you can count on that.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Mar 31, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll be on a plane to England tomorrow. But I can only hope that your piece says Plihal is a good two way player, with quite a shot!

I couldn’t find the other goal I was looking for. Did he maybe score in that rout of calgary?

by Morti on Mar 31, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should get him ice time when we can.

And there’s plenty of love for Plihal. See?

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hooray!!

Nice work Brandon!

by Morti on Mar 31, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ehh

I’m sort of biased since he’s my friends absolute least favorite player, and she doesn’t hesitate to remind me of that fact. She actually texted me once after Plihal scored, saying “omg Plihal actually did something!”

I’m not totally on the anti-Plihal bandwagon, but I just don’t see him as effective as a lot of the other guys. The fact that he hasn’t been playing for a while and doesn’t really have a strictly defined role on the team (i.e. faceoff specialist, enforcer, PK specialist, etc.) makes him somewhat forgettable.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so if it was between McGinn and Plihal

would you choose McGinn based upon his upside or Plihal with his experience?

by Brian5517209 on Mar 31, 2009 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I honestly have no idea. I haven’t really paid much attention to Plihal, and what I’ve observed about McGinn is largely in the context of the Sharks being decimated by injuries.

So I’d probably rotate them out, slightly favoring whoever has the hot stick.

by mymclife on Mar 31, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d call that an advantage in the playoffs!

I cant think back to any one time where Plihal made a catastrophic error of Semenov-ian/Ehrhoff-ian proportion.

I know those two are both defense, but I think it says something about him and his reliability on the ice.

Still waters run deep!

by Morti on Mar 31, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Out of town scores

TBL 1 BOS 3
CHI 1 MTL 4
VAN 2 MIN 1 (OT)
NSH 1 CBJ 2
OTT 2 FLA 5
ANA 5 EDM 3
DAL 3 LAK 2

So the Canuckleheads are now one point ahead of the Flames and take over the 3rd seed, while the Ducks leap into 7th and push our idle St. Louis friends out of 8th for now. Right now the Hawks would play the Flames, which would probably make for a pretty awesome series.

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

by Lurker Shark on Mar 31, 2009 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

you were kidding about shelley right?

I don't like you Detroit.

by mattman on Apr 1, 2009 8:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

we need

an enforcer in the playoffs if we play Anaheim, Nashville, Columbus, or Calgary so considering we will probably play one of those guys aty some point i put him in there
my mistake was putting Mitchell in instead of Roenick

by Brian5517209 on Apr 1, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm jumping in a day late, but I've been discussing this with friends a lot lately...

I think lines 1 and 2 are pretty set.

Marleau-Thornton-Setoguchi
Michalek-Pavelski-Clowe

It’s lines 3 and 4 that get interesting. Personally, I like a third line that looks like this:

Grier-Goc-Cheechoo

It’s a line that can give a lotta energy, grind out some quality minutes, and score goals. That line, IMO, would be pretty effing sweet.

As for the 4th line, I think this is where you could see some changes based on matchups. I think Roenick and Moen are pretty much locks. But for the extra winger…Shelley if its Anaheim or Nashville, McGinn if its someone less physical, and Lemieux if its Detroit (come on, we have to get some sort of psychological edge over them somehow!).

Plihal would be the backup center if, god forbid, people dont get healthy (knocking on wood). Staubitz has been beast lately, but I’d think he’d be behind Shelley.

As for the Defense, well, 5 of the 6 starters would have to be considered pretty set…

Boyle-Lukowich
Blake-Vlasic
Murray-???

The ??? would probably be Ehrhoff, but he turns the puck over too much and can make some bone headed plays. Huskins, I’d imagine, was picked up for a reason…but I haven’t seen him play, so who knows. Semenov has started looking better, but he’s probably behind both of them.

Should be interesting to see how it all shakes out! Let’s hope we have this sort of roster crunch in a few weeks (meaning everyone is healthy).

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." ~Rogers Hornsby

by ZeroIndulgence on Apr 1, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Vesce back to Worcester today

So Plihal should be ready to go tomorrow. That leave Clowe, Grier, Lemieux and Mitchell up front, and Huskins on the blue-line. With that said, do we have any reason to think Patty won’t be playing tomorrow? Great to see the Sharks getting healthy and I’m sure there’s more then a few folks in Worcester rejoicing to Cavanagh and Vesce back in their ranks.

by Teas on Apr 3, 2009 3:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would be surprised

to see Mitchell dressed in the playoffs. We were promised his return in the early season; didn’t happen. We were hinted of his return before Christmas; he got hurt again. So to see him miraculously dressed right before the post season would be great, but seems unlikely. Plus, even if he was healthy, one would think that Roenick (more likely than Lemieux) would dress before players like Torrey, Tommy or Jamie.

by Sharks In Your Mouth on Apr 8, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs