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David Pollak claims Scott Nichol to become Sharks' 4th-line center

Sometimes you find the information, sometimes the information finds you.

That fourth line center the Sharks are about to sign? Scott Nichol.

This comes from nobody directly connected with the signing, yet someone whose awareness of NHL comings-and-goings I totally respect. And trust. I know, this isn’t my normal way of doing business here, but under the circumstances I figured I’d pass the tip along. Rumor? I suppose. But the information is good.

Not saying the deal has made its way through the NHL offices for approval. Simply saying that you can expect to learn shortly that the annoying Nashville center has become an annoying San Jose center.

Yeah, I’m in Chicago. Yeah, I said I liked the idea of a little hockey disconnect for a while. But, like I said, sometimes the information finds you.

WTC

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

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HAHA! That's funny

Does anyone remember him and Joe Thornton going at last season? Something off a mismatch in sizes.

I hope there are no hard feelings between the two.

"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009

by Morti on Jul 10, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I just remembered that lol.

I like his heart though. He is around five foot eight and took on someone who is about 30 pounds heavier and eight inches taller. Sounds like the grit we need, just maybe more size. And looking at his stats, they look like typical fourth line numbers. Interestingly, the most games he has played in a season is 75.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 10, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wuu75xa11A

HAHA!

"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009

by Morti on Jul 10, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

PUNCH TO THE ELBOW!

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 10, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’ll have to see the terms of the deal, but if this is anything more than a one year deal I’m going to be pissed.

Positives:
He plays the PK. Third leading forward on the Preds last season in shorthanded ice time.

Negatives: He’s 36 years old. His BTN PK numbers are horrible. He’s injury prone. He doesn’t improve secondary scoring. He has a tendency to take garbage penalties. We don’t need another enforcer if Shelley is on the team. He’s not big.

It’s just a rumor right now, but man, between the Huskins deal and this I don’t really understand what DW is thinking.

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Jul 10, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

He’s 34 currently, will be 35 in December.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 10, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Teas. That’s a little more comforting, I guess.

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Jul 10, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

you’re quite welcome.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 10, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

One thing I forgot to add- take a look at our presence down the middle at the center position. Torrey Mitchell is 5’11, and Scott Nichol is 5’8. There’s only so much space for guys with “motor” down on our checking lines.

We’ll see what happens.

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Jul 10, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, we’d suddenly not be so overwhelmingly large.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 10, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

To play a late* Devil's advocate

*as in late to the party

One of the main complaints is that we don’t use our size to our advantage anyway, so not being as huge isn’t as big a deal if you look at it that way.

resident cartoonist @couchtarts.blogspot.com. Endorsed by Mr. K on "CINCODEMYOOR!!!!!"

by CTGray on Jul 11, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Summary from On The Fore Check (Preds SB Nation Site)

All in all, Nichol provides heady, responsible defensive work and has the ability to pop in the occasional goal or assist when the opportunity presents itself. The ideal fit for him would be a team that already has decent forward depth but needs to shore up its penalty killing. That might include his hometown of Edmonton, Dallas, or perhaps New Jersey. No matter where he ends up, his never-say-die style of play and affable personality are sure to make him a fan favorite.

Reading this certainly makes me a little more enthusiastic.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 10, 2009 4:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

i'm wondering

if the comments on WTC have pressured Pollak into adding a little more of his own analysis instead of just PR-type stuff?

by a10dency2ask on Jul 10, 2009 4:48 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Plank echoed my thought exactly...

But this is a terrible signing in my mind. Why sign Nichol when you can re-sign Armstrong who’s younger and is a more dynamic player.

More from me later, but I’m not happy.

Fear the Fin: Where... IMA TAKING UR BLOGZ FRUM U!!

by That'll Cheech You on Jul 10, 2009 5:59 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

well, Armstrong is a winger and we need a 4th line center, but Im not too thrilled with this signing either.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 10, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, there are other places to put the money, is what I’m saying. And Armstrong has played multiple forward spots.

Fear the Fin: Where... IMA TAKING UR BLOGZ FRUM U!!

by That'll Cheech You on Jul 10, 2009 6:40 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

we don’t have the money either way at this point. Bringing in a center is better then bring in a roaming forward with no NHL experience. If this goes down, it’s a better signing then Riley Armstrong easily.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 11, 2009 4:25 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right… I don’t think the Sharks tendered him an offer.

Fear the Fin: Where... IMA TAKING UR BLOGZ FRUM U!!

by That'll Cheech You on Jul 12, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm happy that there's something going on

And Nichol sounds like a gritty player that plays bigger than his size, which is good for a team where the opposite tends to be true lol. The fact that he’s injured a lot does worry me, but really, how different is that from any of our former bottom six players? IIRC, Shelley was one of the healthiest of the six (or however many guys ended up playing on those lines), which isn’t exactly great. The fact that Nashville trusted him on the PK a lot also stands out to me. And, well, his $750K contract last year (hopefully with the same amount this year) is a positive thing as well.

That said, I’m getting some Debbie Downer thoughts going on (WTF? Moen didn’t even get an offer from DW? And he’s cheaper than Huskins?), so I’m currently not inclined to trust anything Wilson is doing right now. Its really quite depressing.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 10, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I really hope DW has something else planned

From the update PJ posted at Sharkspage:

According to Moen’s agent Craig Oster, he was disappointed the San Jose Sharks did not make him a contract offer after suggesting they would do so in offseason player meetings.

Wow, okay.
And now Moen will earn an avg. of $1.5M/yr with the Habs, which is a 600K raise. But DW signs the guy who never dressed for the team for more than double his…alright, I’m just going to take a deep breath and think happy thoughts.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jul 10, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m just going to take a deep breath and think happy thoughts.

Exactly what I’m doing. That, and distracting myself with TV. Lots and lots of mind-numbing TV.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 10, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Moen thing sucked because he really impressed me. Good luck in Montreal though.

by StevieV17 on Jul 11, 2009 3:14 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

a lot of you were not exactly complimentary towards Travis Moen previously. It seems like some folks are picking at straws to jibe DW but everyone needs to chill and let the summer happen.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 11, 2009 4:32 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Moen didnt impress me much

But if all we are trying to do is get a warm body in the line up then we’ve got problems. Why sign the guy if that isnt going to take us in the direction we want to go.

I’m sad that Moen didn’t work out, because we gave a lot to get him. Only time will tell if I end up being sadder because he works out so well in Montreal.

"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009

by Morti on Jul 11, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am not worried.

DW has something up his sleeve. He usually makes a move that comes completely out of left field (i.e. Grand Theft Thornton). I agree with mymclife, we need guys who play bigger than size, and Nichol is one of them.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 10, 2009 8:18 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know how much more faith I can muster for DW

He hasn’t shown any grit this summer. If we are the most rational of the fans (and at least organized and know how to use the “reply” button), why is he giving us fodder to question his moves?

So, to recap…
Blake resigns – takes cut to reasonable level – bonus!
Huskins (re?) signs – gets massive raise – hmmm
Moen walks – hmmm
Clowe resigns – gets nice raise. Though well-earned, still stings a bit – meh
Mitchell not yet anything – eyebrows raised
Boucher leaves for Philly – shucks, but manageable
No QO’s for a handful – mostly okay, but questionable at the moment

I don’t need the surprise to make it suck any less. I know he doesn’t really need to answer to the fanbase, but he does in a way. It’s time to make a splash and make me eat my words.

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Jul 10, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

chill out man, and explain to me how the current Sharks team is worse then the 08-09 team?

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 11, 2009 4:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It only has 2 lines?

Seriously though I’m waiting until the end of September before I pass any serious judgement on the whole roster. There’s still way too much summer left.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker
NIEDKLERYARYER
oer sometoethin lie kthat!!!! -Mr. K

by Lurker Shark on Jul 11, 2009 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m waiting until the end of September before I pass any serious judgement on the whole roster. There’s still way too much summer left.

Sums it up rather well. For me, anyway.

resident cartoonist @couchtarts.blogspot.com. Endorsed by Mr. K on "CINCODEMYOOR!!!!!"

by CTGray on Jul 11, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I tend to agree

The panic button is hidden in the back of my laundry basket….and I don’t EVEN want to go diggin’ through there to look for it….yet

Fear the Fin....where being an old guy isn't all bad, and the 2nd round can be bad on the heart

by Dave Valentine on Jul 11, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Like Lurker said, it only has 7 forwards. I’m not saying I won’t wait until September to pass full judgment, but I don’t know how much longer I can sit around and wait for DW to fleece some other team and fill out our roster.

I’m a patient man, but I’m a little concerned. I agree that the July 1 frenzy is ridiculous, but I haven’t heard of anyone else even thinking of trades. DW can’t be the only GM thinking of trades at this point or nothing will happen.

It’s been, what, two and a half months since we’ve seen Sharks hockey. The team won’t look the same. This is like Christmas for me because I know it’s going to be great when it’s the right time, but until then I’m going to alternate back and forth between hoping for the best and expecting the worse.

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Jul 11, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but I don’t know how much longer I can sit around and wait for DW to fleece some other team and fill out our roster

and if he makes you wait quite a bit longer – longer than you want, what will you do? jump ship?? :)

Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?

by ang6666 on Jul 11, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t know why no one can remember the title of my first comment. This is all about faith. How long is going to get this pain-free ride from the Thornton trade? He has come through in the past, but we’re all waiting around (some more patiently than me) for him to make some magic moves.

Am I going to jump ship? No. But enough of the off-season waiting bonanzas that we’re going through now and people will start to call for his ouster. Especially if he’s already waited too long to pick up more talent with the Sharks’ checkbook.

We’ve seen this all once or twice before. As much of a frenzy as it was on July 1, we know some teams are done dealing because they got what they wanted. Every team that fills its roster and is set for preseason is one more GM that he can’t call for a trade.

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Jul 11, 2009 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It has only seven forwards...

…if you decide none of the young guys are worth playing. However, I was impressed by McGinn and Cavanagh during their stints in San Jose last year, and Couture might be ready to play with the big boys.

WordUpThome: THE HEY-DAY OF RONALD REAGAN-O-NOMICS IS A FINE TIME FOR BIRTH, NUMA NUMA DANCE STAR JOBA CHAMBERLAIN WAS ALSO BORN IN 1985

by Gallagher's Watermelons on Jul 11, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately Cavanagh's an unsigned UFA right now.

It takes a big man to cry and it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man. -Jamie Baker
NIEDKLERYARYER
oer sometoethin lie kthat!!!! -Mr. K

by Lurker Shark on Jul 11, 2009 7:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

also from what i hear

couture is nowhere near ready to play with the big boys, considering he was just recently promoted to worcester and though it wasn’t expected, his stats weren’t exactly overwhelming. I feel like there’s still a couple years on him to go

by a10dency2ask on Jul 11, 2009 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, barring a major incident or a completely flat camp, I see McGinn and Mitchell on the third line (and boy won’t that be fun to watch!). I also wouldn’t mind seeing Vesce on the big team. As big and strong as we had been touted the last few years, it hasn’t quite given us the “scary” reputation. However, even with those three, that’s only 10. I’m also a little worried about such a large portion of our forwards being rookies (or whatever McGinn and Vesce would be considered).

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Jul 11, 2009 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Huskins may not be that bad of a signing. Remember, he was a 20+ min a night Dman on a team with Pronger and Neidermeyer before he got hurt. If he doesn’t get hurt, he is worth Doug Murray money. I haven’t heard anything suggesting he won’t be 100%. Simply because he didn’t play for us doesn’t change his underlying talent.

Ryan Clowe was probably close to market value, considering his skill set.

Scot Nichol- has to be less than 1mil/yr.

DW hasn’t had a great summer, but in a rare case I think us sharks fans are actually undervaluing our assets. If Scott Gomez can be moved, I think Cheechoo and Ehrhoff can be moved for fair value as well.

by ruben398 on Jul 11, 2009 12:09 AM PDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

yeah but...

scott gomez puts up decent numbers

by KBO on Jul 11, 2009 2:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

DW

Huskins gets big money for I guess what he looks like on film and Moen signs a nice fat deal with Montreal, very interesting..

We will have plenty of open roster spots..I hope the big trade is coming..

by The Sear on Jul 11, 2009 10:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ruben398

Maybe other teams are not offering market value to DW for two reasons, they know DW needs to change the karma on this team, and teams are leery of players with years of playoff losing scar tissue..

So he might be a little stuck here..He is also dealing with no trade clauses which eliminate trades to bad teams..

by The Sear on Jul 11, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I've heard that too...

That DW is getting offered poor trades because of his cap situation. I never thought of the possibility that player’s don’t want former Sharks because of the “culture” here. Maybe Patty and Joe, but does that perceived culture really affects the perceptions of players like Ehrhoff and Cheechoo? I dunno, maybe…

The NTC, now that is an issue. But that only explains the lack of trades for Marleau and Nabby, though. I don’t think Cheech/Ehrhoff/Milan have NTC’s, right? As far as the “GM’s screwing him because of the cap issue”, I don’t know if that is really is the case, speaking purely from a game theory perspective. It’s not like baseball where the Twins got screwed with Santana because only the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox were interested.

I think Huskins will be a really good #4 Dman next year, probably on a pair with Boyle. I’d bet he plays 20-21min a night, has 30pts, and is a +15. That makes him a bargain at $1.7mil a year. Take a look at his behindthenet stats, his advanced metrics make him better than Murray and Ehrhoff, who are getting paid way more. I’ll admit, I initially didn’t like the cost. But on deeper inspection, there is definite value there.

by ruben398 on Jul 12, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

According to TSN.CA, Guite signed with the Preds.

As far as I know, Guite is a fourth liner, might this mean we can expect an announcement on the Nichol signing soon?

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 14, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

TSN reporting the deal now

TSN.ca

SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks have signed center Scott Nichol, adding veteran depth to their changing lineup.

Nichol spent the past four seasons with the Nashville Predators, scoring 10 points in 43 games last season while missing extensive playing time with a concussion.

The 34-year-old agitator is entering his eighth full NHL season, previously playing with Buffalo, Calgary and Chicago.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 15, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No info yet on the length or size of the contract.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 15, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Haha

Apparently, this morning Eklund had Nichol signing in Nashville (e3).

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 15, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yay, another guy who missed half of last season with an injury!

Jon Casey fan since '84

by stufflife on Jul 15, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And now it’s official.

Fear The Fin: Where Selling Your Soul Is The Likely Solution

by Mr. Plank on Jul 15, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

For all those out there who wanted some sign of life

this is it. Whether it turns out to be a pulse (more signings/trades) or death throes (nothing else for a while) will remain to be seen. Seems like the commentors on TSN liked Nichol when he was on the Preds, so hopefully this will be a good deal for us.

by Chicago Shark on Jul 15, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the signing official now:

If you are a UFA, does this signing change anything about SJ for you?

If you are a GM looking to make a trade with SJ, does this signing change anything for you?

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 15, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm happy

because the Sharks were in need of a new player named Scott

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jul 15, 2009 3:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Another aged veteran...

…as well as being injury-prone. I honestly hope I eat my words here, but we all saw what injuries did to the team this past season, particularly from a chemistry point of view. Granted, Boyle and Blake aren’t exactly young, and they’re two of the most productive and valuable players on the team.

by cyoung on Jul 15, 2009 3:52 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

1 year, $750k

Good deal, very little to lose- if he can stay healthy, I think this could turn out to be a very good signing.

Oh, so that's where you edit your signature

by Teas on Jul 15, 2009 4:54 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

SPINNING BARFING HEAD.

OK, so I’m not that pissed or disgusted anymore. Kinda “meh” on the whole thing. But if anyone out there thinks that Nichol is even an average player… well… yeah. I have some stuff to sell you.

He’s NHL caliber (ish), and has some physical acumen (called scrapumen, according to me), but not much else.

But, most importantly, he’s a Shark now, regardless of what I say about him, so I wish him the best and hope he has a career year and stays healthy.

Fear the Fin: Where... IMA TAKING UR BLOGZ FRUM U!!

by That'll Cheech You on Jul 15, 2009 5:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I just realized that DW has been targeting guys that have fought our big guys.

I mean, Huskins fought Clowe in the pre-season last year, and Nichol punched Joe in the arm a few times fought Thornton. Both are fights in which the guy took a player much more important scoring-wise than they are out of the game for five minutes. I don’t think we had too many of those happen, unless you count Drew’s opinion that Jordin Tootoo was an important scorer for his team (I don’t).

I admit, Huskins’s was in the pre-season so probably doesn’t count as much, but the fact that we have guys that can do that sort of thing makes me happy.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 15, 2009 5:11 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I am looking at his highlights, and he has scored some nice goals, a lot of them shorthanded. Should provide good energy for us on the PK and depth scoring.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 16, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

He can score shorthanded?

Well that’s an upgrade over Grier.

When Mitchell signs the sharks will be a shorthanded dynamo!

"iaT"S FUCKINGE LIEK CONICO DO MAYO!!!!!111"
Mr. K. 5/5/2009

by Morti on Jul 16, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

As long as he can score with the open net, he’s an upgrade over Grier.

Fear the Fin: Where... IMA TAKING UR BLOGZ FRUM U!!

by That'll Cheech You on Jul 16, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen.

Grier is the only player i know who always misses the open net, yet, if a goalie is in net, he’ll hit him right in the middle of the chest.

by jwizzle241 on Jul 16, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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