The Cheechoo Dilemma (or lack thereof)

by waive kent huskins on Nov 21, 2010 8:34 PM PST

There are many things that we could discuss now regarding the current state of the Sharks. However, I thought I would distract myself by thinking of other areas within the organization and couldn't help but think of Jonathan Cheechoo.

Cheechoo was once one of the most feared snipers in the NHL, burying 56 goals the year after lockout. However, Cheechoo failed to adjust to NHL 2.0 after the rest of the league adjusted and was also hindered by injuries. Not fast enough to be in the top 6, but also not physical (or cheap) enough to play in the bottom six, Cheechoo was traded away along with the inconsistent Milan Michalek to Ottawa in what has turned out to be a brilliant trade for the Sharks. Cheechoo posted poor numbers in the Senators and was cut loose after the season.

Hardly big news this past summer, but many hearts were warmed this summer when we learned that Jonathan Cheechoo was invited to join the Worcester Sharks this season. Way past his prime and ravaged by constant nagging injuries, I don't think many of us really read much into it. However, Cheechoo has been holding his own down in the AHL posting 5 goals and 11 assists in 17 games, which leads our team. AHL numbers do not necessarily translate to NHL numbers. But one cannot help to wonder if we will ever see Cheechoo called up again. He would not longer have the massive cap hit that we were once worried about and would almost immediately regain his title as a fan favorite.

I don't know much about how something like that could happen. I'm still fairly certain that he will never get back into the NHL, at least not for the Sharks. But I wanted to know what the community thought of the Cheechoo dilemma (or lack thereof).

Poll

Would you like to see Cheechoo signed and called up to the San Jose Sharks this season?

Yes, but it's unlikely that it will happen

136 votes

Yes, and it will happen

50 votes

No, and it's unlikely to happen anyway

59 votes

No, but it could very well happen

17 votes

262 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

didn’t cheech score 56 goals the first year after the lockout…

by red triangle on Nov 21, 2010 8:49 PM PST reply actions

Indeed he did

Thank you for the correction

"Everybody had a part in this. As you can see, our fans love this. And we love them. And bring on the next team." -Joe Thornton

by waive kent huskins on Nov 21, 2010 9:18 PM PST reply actions

Maybe..especially if they need a big change to get out of a slump or injuries.

I’d risk it for a few games

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Nov 21, 2010 9:58 PM PST reply actions

The thing about him that scares me is that he isn’t getting his points through goals like Ferriero and Cheech is supposed to be a goal scorer. He isn’t a playmaker the points seem a little deceiving to me.

by pooponastick on Nov 21, 2010 10:25 PM PST reply actions

*so the points seem a little deceiving to me

by pooponastick on Nov 21, 2010 10:26 PM PST up reply actions

But one cannot help to wonder if we will ever see Cheechoo called up again.

Hide before Evilducks finds you!

Cheechoo can not be called up. He has an AHL only contract. He’d have to be signed to an NHL contract (be it a two way or one way) before he could be in San Jose anymore.

I won’t lie. I’d love to see Cheech make it back to the NHL. But in truth, the surgeries effectively ended his career. He doesn’t have the leg strength or likely the core strength to be an NHL player anymore.

And, we have enough solid prospects in the system that we’d be better served by going with a youth movement.

And the other sad reality is that we’re going to see more cases of guys like Nolan and Cheechoo priced out of the NHL as teams look at their cap hit and their bottom line and can look towards players that are younger and cheaper.

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

by ElvisVF101 on Nov 21, 2010 11:34 PM PST reply actions

I expect ED will feel robbed.

I just talk a lot and somehow accidentally say things that sound smart. It’s all smoke and mirrors, I tell ya.

by Auth0r on Nov 22, 2010 12:11 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

They ruin all my fun.

At this point I’d prefer that our younger players got a shot. Considering all of the whining that goes on about how slow some of our players are I’m amazed at how much people want this to happen. Cheechoo makes Ryane Clowe look like a professional speed skater out there.

I just don’t see where he could possibly fit in the lineup. He’s top 6 or bust and on this team he doesn’t fit in the top 9.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Nov 22, 2010 7:17 AM PST up reply actions

right i was wondering if he would ever be signed for like the league minimum. I suppose called up is not the same as being made an offer. It’s very unlikely he would ever logically be called up. More of a pipe dream for nostalgia

"Everybody had a part in this. As you can see, our fans love this. And we love them. And bring on the next team." -Joe Thornton

by waive kent huskins on Nov 22, 2010 1:52 AM PST up reply actions

He doesn’t have the leg strength or likely the core strength to be an NHL player anymore.

P
90
X!

/Totally just kidding

"You would definitely hate the Ducks more than you'd hate the Kings, right?"
"Yeah, definitely." - Joe Pavelski
"Burnside seems to hate these guys. Oh wait ... I seem to love these guys!" - Pierre LeBrun

by DownRUpLYB on Nov 22, 2010 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

Based on the latest (Nov 11th) prospect report, it shows Cheechoo’s contract still as PTO, so they have yet to sign him to an AHL only contract.

I could see him possibly working out on the 3rd line with Mitchell and Mcginn bursting in with their speed chasing a dump in or just drawing defenders and feeding Cheech lumbering in to a choice spot. Problem with that is Seto can do that too, and probably much better if he ever gets his confidence back.

Our 4th line is just a chip, grind, and tire out the D with our rested energy type of line, something Cheechoo can’t provide and where Seto can’t use his inherent talent, which is where he’d be (or traded…) if Cheechoo was ever brought up for that 3rd line type of role.

I dunno, its possible, and given that he was traded for his salary being way too much for the bottom line he was being used for (Michalek labeled as inconsistent? Hardly, he was the cornerstone of that deal @ 3 straight ~25 goal seasons, with the potential that cheech pulling himself from his funk as a hope), that he could be brought back at an entry level or close to (and given his totally ruined rep, he’d be grateful for it) it might be worth a couple game stint to try it out, with a 2 way contract.

Worst that could happen is he flops and we send him back to the AHL and keep him in Worcester to help the development of our youth.

I’d even say Seto needs a bit of an AHL stint to regain some confidence (his numbers slump came from when we got Heatley and he was bumped around the lines after all) but the simple concept of demotion from the NHL would probably shatter whatever is holding him together. I now think Couture’s swift ascension has unnerved him more than his injury, and he’s forcing himself to try to produce.

by VVhirlwind on Nov 23, 2010 4:32 AM PST up reply actions

We can’t send Seto to the minors without him passing through waivers, and then re-entry waivers to get him back. I’m fairly certain he’d never see a day in the AHL either way.

Cheechoo is another player that would have to pass through waivers and probably re-entry waivers depending on his contract, though I think he would have less trouble than Seto in reaching the AHL again. Also, you can’t play in regular season games in the AHL or NHL without being under contract. Thus is the rules of pro-hockey. Cheechoo has a contract with the WorSharks, but it’s only an AHL one. Tryout contracts are for preseason.

I’m also not entirely sure how he helps develop the youth by eating top line minutes on our AHL team… though I suppose he is a cautionary tale on learning how to skate if you want to stay in the NHL.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Nov 23, 2010 8:19 AM PST up reply actions

Forgot about the whole waiver system, not like I was really serious about Seto to AHL, but he needs something to regain confidence.

As for Cheechoo’s contract, from what I read about the AHL’s PTO, it is for the duration of 25 games, at which point the player can be signed to a 2nd PTO or a standard contract. I assume he’s still on that PTO because the shark’s official prospect report states that for his contract status. If that is wrong, well then the prospects report is misleading me on top of my PTO info being wrong.

As for developing youth, it fulfills the type of role that JR did for us, teaching the younger players what he’s been through etc, as well as being able to feed each other production which helps build confidence and game.

by VVhirlwind on Nov 23, 2010 3:37 PM PST up reply actions

You’re probably right on the contract bit. As far as JR, he got 3rd and 4th line minutes. We keep youth in the AHL so they get lots of minutes in hopes of improvement to the point of making the NHL. Cheechoo isn’t our property and can be signed by any NHL team. While it’s awfully nice of the Sharks to help him out as much as they are (and at least he’s producing for them there) it is hurting Sharks prospect development by taking up a big minute spot on the team. I don’t really care that much, though I’d rather a guy like Mashinter get top line minutes over Cheech.

"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda

by Evilducks on Nov 23, 2010 6:03 PM PST up reply actions

No thanks.

"San Jose is where I want to be at the end of the day, and there's an opportunity now to make it there. It is where my heart is." - Jamie McGinn, 2/22/10
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by Mr. Plank on Nov 22, 2010 1:41 AM PST reply actions

I love me Cheechoo as much as the next person, but hes just simply not an NHL caliber player anymore. You take the good you take the bad, and there you have the facts of life, the NHL has passed Cheech by.

by animadiversion on Nov 22, 2010 8:28 AM PST reply actions

As great as it would be to see Cheech in an SJ uniform again...

I’d much rather have Bennnn called up. He’s one of those guys who could be part of the “future of the team” (and sooner rather than later, considering that he’s already 23).

Randy: "So head butting... better than butt patting"
Drew: "Well keep an eye if there's butt patting"

by Bockerz on Nov 22, 2010 10:14 AM PST reply actions

Ummm...

No. As nice as it would be to see Cheech get a chance to re-capture some ol magic, I dont think this team needs anymore experiments. The loss of Nabby is an experiment enough this year. I wouldnt want to see Cheech be the next Claude Lemieux thing, my opinion is bring in the youth.

by sharkblood99 on Nov 22, 2010 4:18 PM PST reply actions

He may have 16 points, but most of those have come on the man advantage.

As evidenced by his -9(!!!). This needs to be improved if we are even to consider such a move, but I don’t think he will find his way back to the NHL with the Sharks.

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"-Wayne Gretzky"-Michael Scott.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Nov 23, 2010 5:28 PM PST reply actions