Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: UFC 143 Predictions

Why Willie Mitchell could be a great fit for San Jose

As the hours turned into days, and those days turned into weeks, the waiting game continued. The clock on the far wall burned a hole into the wee hours of the night, an uncertain future doused in shades of murky gray.

The lights were off, the glowing hum of the television nonexistent-- it was too painful to watch, too uncomfortable to even try. Climbing that mountain would take time of course, and there was always the hope of reaching a point where hard work and a little luck could pay off dividends, but right now, at this very moment, it was the furthest thing from his mind. Optio non est.

Ah yes-- just another day in the life of a hockey fan during the doldrums of summer. A life that has little to offer in terms of emotional fulfillment.

The cool sheet of ice replaced by swimming pools, a solitary pair of buzzing headphones taking the place of the sweet roar of 18,000 rabid fans screaming for victory. These things served as nothing but a placeholder for a meandering soul. Lost in the monotony of rehabilitation, forced into a vapid existence by forces out of one's control.

And this ballad that serves as our soundtrack until September? The one that sings us to sleep each night? It's something a certain UFA defenseman knows very well. Perhaps too well, in fact.

Sidelined from skating since January of 2010, former Vancouver Canucks assistant captain Willie Mitchell's road to recovery has been one that has stretched on for nearly half a year, with numerous peaks and valleys littered throughout. Suffering a debilitating concussion at the hands of Pittsburgh Penguins All-Star forward Evgeni Malkin, who layed a shoulder into the exposed numbers of an off balance Mitchell during the third period of a 6-2 game, Mitchell missed the remainder of the season.

At one point he was unsure of whether he would ever play in the National Hockey League ever again.

Star-divide

"I’m not happy with the hit I took," Mitchell told reporters in May after the Canucks were eliminated by the Chicago Blackhawks. "We’re taught from a young age not to hit from behind and I had my numbers facing a player in a dangerous zone in a dangerous spot and he hit me."

Following the hit, Mitchell was forced into a secluded environment in order to get healthy. Unable to workout, watch television, or expose himself to prolonged periods of light, the road to recovery was a long and hard one in both the physical and mental sense. For a player who has always played with heart and soul, relying on his superior defensive abilities in order to keep the puck out of his own net and give others an opportunity to grab the glory associated with game winning goals, watching his teammates battle for wins during the postseason became a form of torture.

"In the first stage of my recovery I couldn’t even watch games, just because of the whole emotional aspect of a concussion injury," Mitchell said. "It’s not like you hurt a knee and you just feel pain, you’ve injured your brain so it’s not only the pain of the injury, it’s the emotional pain as well."

Mitchell has yet to skate following the concussion, and while plans are in place to begin to do so very soon, the road to recovery has yet to reach it's culmination.

For starters, Mitchell is still without a contract. He hit unrestricted free agency earlier this month, but with questions about his health still a concern for many familiar with the process, the chance that a General Manager would pursue him heavily without sending a scout to watch him run drills at full speed is an unlikely possibility.

"I went to the Canucks Summer Franchise last month and one of the attendees posed the question about Mitchell to GM Mike Gillis," Mike Halford of The Province said over email. "Gillis indicated that Mitchell still isn't physically capable of resuming his NHL career and that the Canucks weren't going to rush him to make a decision on his playing future."

It's really the determining factor as to why Mitchell has yet to receive a contract. The 6'3, 210 pound blueliner is a notable physical presence when healthy, able to log huge minutes against opposing team's top forwards and serve as the top shutdown man on numerous teams throughout the League. He is a perfect fit for the Sharks in this regard, and would allow San Jose General Manager Doug Wilson the freedom to look for a more offensive minded player this offseason to bolster production from the back end.

Again, however, lie the health issues.

The list of players who have succumbed to career ending concussions in the past is as wide and deep as any river known to man. One only has to look back to the career of Pat Lafontaine, one of the greatest American goal scorers of all-time, to see the effects this injury can have on a player. A hit by James Patrick in the 1990 playoffs kicked off what would be a long list of concussions for the then 25 year old Lafontaine. It was a list that shortened seasons, and eventually a career, as Lafontaine was forced into retirement during 1998 after sustaining a concussion following a collision with teammate Mike Keane. He was thirty four years old.

Whether or not this will be the fate of Willie Mitchell lies somewhere in the great unknown. This will be the third time he has returned from this type of injury, missing 9 games in 2006 and 8 games in 2002 with concussions, which makes him a candidate for relapse. Coupled with the physical brand of play that makes him so effective, it's a risk that any potential suitor will be aware of when approaching negotiations.

To say nothing of the fact that his most recent one has kept him off the ice for six whole months. Or the idea that, when he does return, the shutdown nature that has defined his career could suffer from being off the ice for so long. To serve the role as a shutdown man in the NHL one must toe the line every single night, with no hesitation or second guessing. It's always thinking too much that gets you in trouble, and for a player who Mike Halford of The Province describes as "tough as a leather sandwich," losing that edge could mean a slide from the top pairing to reduced minutes in a reduced role.

In all reality there's no telling where things will stand with Mitchell next season. He is, at this point, a wildcard.

When healthy? A proverbial full house Aces high.


Willie Mitchell vs. Rob Blake

Year
Player GP G/60 PTS/60 GFON/60 GFOFF/60 GAON/60GAOFF/60 Qualcomp PK TOI
08-09 Rob Blake
73
0.22 (2nd)
1.22 (1st)
2.82 (1st)
1.97 (1st)
1.83 (2nd)
1.97 (6th)
0.004 (2nd)
2:30 (2nd)

Willie Mitchell
82
0.13 (4th)
0.88 (1st)
2.93 (2nd)
2.43 (2nd)
1.93 (2nd)
2.32 (3rd)
0.058 (1st)
4:04 (1st)
09-10 Rob Blake
70
0.11 (4th)
1.06 (2nd)
2.35 (6th)
2.89 (6th)
1.79 (2nd)
2.27 (2nd)
0.042 (1st)
2:53 (2nd)

Willie Mitchell
48
0.29 (2nd)
0.71 (5th)
2.85 (4th)
2.73 (4th)
2.14 (3rd)
2.06 (8th)
0.062 (1st)
4:15 (1st)

A phenomenal shutdown defenseman in every sense of the word, Mitchell could easily slide on to the top pairing with the Sharks and provide Todd McLellan an ability to roll him with Boyle up to twenty three minutes a night in just about every situation possible. He solves a lot of potential issues with San Jose's penalty kill next season, and could ease the burden of Boyle's herculean playing time by getting the Sharks number one defenseman off the ice shorthanded. It allows Boyle to see more minutes in the offensively conducive even strength and power play areas, making the production from San Jose's backend that much better.

In late game situations when the Sharks are protecting a lead, no defensive pairing would be better than a Vlasic-Mitchell duo. The elegant stickwork and positioning that Vlasic relies on to keep pucks out of the net coupled with Mitchell's physicality and equally impressive positioning skills would be a harmonious event to be certain, a perfect blend of two players who bring different skill sets to their shutdown games. Furthermore, it opens up Vlasic to begin to move the puck more, an area of his game that regressed last season due to being paired with an aging Rob Blake.

There's no question that a healthy Mitchell would be an immediate boon to the team.

Which brings us full circle back to those health issues:

It's tough to say what Mitchell's future holds. In late June, he declared himself symptom-free and vowed to play hockey next season. He’s tougher than a leather sandwich and an intense competitor, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him back for 2010-11.

Of course, Mitchell is also 33 and plays a robust, physical game – a playing style that (in part) caused him to miss 64 games in four seasons with the Canucks. Add in the fact that Mitchell’s suffered two concussions in the last four years (he missed nine games back in 2006 with one) and the situation has more red flags than a Spanish bullfight.

Because it’s a concussion, his playing status next year will depend on two things: 1) How big an injury risk he’s adjudged to be, and 2) are any NHL GMs are willing to take that risk?

>> The Kurtenblog

I don't think there's any doubt that Mitchell would have found a home on July 1st if there weren't questions about his concussion symptoms-- only Chris Pronger, Zdeno Chara, and Marc Staal faced higher quality of competition with fewer goals against at five on five last season, putting him in the upper echelon of players you want to see take a shift during the third period of a playoff game. I put him behind only Paul Martin, Dan Hamhuis, and Zbynek Michalek before Free Agency began this summer, and with all of those players finding homes on the first day, it's safe to say that Mitchell is probably the most obtainable target out there for the Sharks at this juncture. As well as one who could get you the most value.

If Doug Wilson does decide to pursue Mitchell, I would assume he offers a one year contract worth nothing more than $3.0MM. Wilson is anything but rash during this time of year, and with San Jose's salary cap a major factor in obtaining players, investing a considerable portion of that available space in someone who may not be completely healthy will be a large factor during negotiations.

"I've got a big part of my life back," Mitchell told the Vancouver Sun three weeks ago. "I have no uncertainty; I want to play hockey. It took a little longer than I expected [to recover], but I'm looking forward to next season. I'm really excited. I feel normal again."

One can only hope Mitchell is completely ready to go as he says he is. It would be an excellent comeback story during next season, and although Rob Blake and Jeremy Roenick were at a different stage in their career compared to Mitchell, Wilson does have a history of giving guys another chance to play in the NHL. Especially if a player could be had at a discount due to some health concerns.

But until more news begins to trickle out about Mitchell's skating progress, it's another game of wait and see as Doug Wilson bides his time to improve the roster.

Something that the fans in San Jose, as well as Willie Mitchell himself, have become all too familiar with over the last six months.

 

Go Sharks.

Comment 224 comments  |  1 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH

/goes to read

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 12:50 PM PDT reply actions  

Finished!

And it was definitely worth the wait. Hopping on the “Willie Mitchell for a serious discount on a one year contract” bandwagon. I am concerned about the concussion problems, but in my quick 5 seconds of googling, it doesn’t seem like his concussions stem from his own inability to keep his head up (unlike a former Sharks forward). While any concussion would contribute to his chances to getting another one that’s potentially even more harmful, it doesn’t seem like he puts himself into a position where he gets concussions. Of course, I could be completely off and he could have as big of a case as head-downitis as Michalek had, but still.

With the peers he has on the quality of competition (who was it again – Pronger, Chara, and Staal?), he is the perfect candidate to take a risk on. While a Mitchell-Vlasic pairing doesn’t quite get my mouth watering as much as a Hjalmarsson-Vlasic pairing (oh, how awesome that would have been – DAMN YOU BLACKHAWKS!), if Mitchell is healthy, that could potentially be the top shutdown pairing in the league. Um, yes please.

And looking at the stats provided – it seems that Mitchell was more offensively-inclined in 09-10 than 08-09. But man, if he returns to 08-09 form, that 1.93 GAON/60 compared to that 2.32 GAOFF/60 is making me salivate. Granted, that could be because the rest of the Canucks’ defensemen sucked that year (they didn’t have the defensive savior Error at that point, remember), but that there’s that much of a discrepancy either means he’s really really good or really really lucky. The 09-10 stats seem to point to lucky, but SSS either way.

Doug Wilson has a history of rehabbing old players, between Roenick, Blake, Lemieux, and Ozolinsh. Some worked better than others. The difference between Mitchell and the other four is that Mitchell is not close to 40, still has years left barring more concussions, and hasn’t retired.

I’d say give him Wallin money. Let them duke it out to see which defenseman was most deserving of their one year, $2.5M deal. Just no NTC, please.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

tl;dr

Proud member of the "Bring back Semenov" Club !!

by idunno723 on Jul 14, 2010 12:50 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

*concentrates on reading for a bit*

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 12:52 PM PDT reply actions  

Plus we’d continue the Sharks legacy of Masterton trophy nominees.

OT: Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t think of another white, currently active, pro athlete named Willie. But Wiilie Mitchell would be a great name for a Giants OF.

by calixtus on Jul 14, 2010 12:58 PM PDT via mobile reply actions  

Would Mitchell be able to have bonuses in his contract?

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 1:02 PM PDT reply actions  

I don’t think so. I believe he’d have to be 35+ for the possibility of getting a bonus laden contract…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

Actually, a player returning from serious injury is also elligible. He’d need to have missed a certain amount of games for that to happen, not sure the exact requirement. It’s in the CBA if someone cares to look it up.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 14, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

I did already

scroll down my friend.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

I saw and commented already. Scroll down my friend :)

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 14, 2010 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

I wrote the above comment

before you commented below. Come on Beantown you are going to have be quicker than that to get me.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

So, going into this article, I knew very little about Willie Mitchell

I had heard he was a good shutdown guy, and that he had some concussion issues. But I really didn’t know much more. After reading this, though, if he’s healthy, he’s EXACTLY what we need. Assuming he returns to form, that is. And, really, no one knows how he’ll return from such a serious concussion…he could turtle up and be reluctant to be physical…or he could go balls out to prove he’s all better. And he’s such a risk to get another one that relying on him to be a major cog in our defense all year would probably be a tad bit overly optimistic.

I went and looked up the hit from Malkin, pretty dirty…especially considering the score. Hopefully that hit doesn’t haunt him as he tries to get back out on the ice. That being said, at this point, I’d be all for the Sharks taking a flyer on him. It’s the ultimate risk/reward scenario. If he can come back, even almost to form, then he’d be a real asset paired with Boyle. And if he doesn’t work out…well, making it a one year deal would be imperative. Also, seeing the lack of both free agent and/or trading targets availiable for a top shutdown D man, it might be the best we can do at this point.

Like you said, 1 year, 3 million, and it’s worth the risk. Any more than that, and we probably have to use our cap space more wisely.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 1:03 PM PDT reply actions  

Penguins always play like that.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

yeah

i used to not have a problem with pittsburgh when they were one of the prettier teams. but lately they’ve thurned into the Ducks of the east

by DucksSuckQuackQuack on Jul 14, 2010 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm typically a big defender of the Pens

But when Pensblog defended the Cooke hit, I had to take a step back.

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 14, 2010 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed. Borderline dirty playing.

I was 100% behind the stiff penalties added to the 2010-2011 rulesbook

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

The last time the Sharks offered a Mitchell a contract after health concerns...

Torrey Mitchell became everyone’s favorite trade bait.

Willie Mitchell is everything you described: heart and soul, physical, shutdown defenseman.

Torrey’s $1.2M looks bad because he’s never lived up to potential following the type of physical injury that almost certainly permanently handicaps a player of his kind (knee injury to a speed skater).

Concussion problems for a physical, stay at home defenseman? And potentially $3-3.5M?

There really are very few other options out there. While the acquisition of a Willie Mitchell would be sound, it’s also a bit desperate.

Zeroindulgence has already made the point about Doug Wilson not overspending in the Free Agent Frenzy, and the merits of that strategy can be debated ad nauseum, but the consequences are clear.

Our moves in filling in the greatest deficiency in our team have been a questionable UFA signing in Niclas Wallin (at least questionable in terms of salary versus production) and an offer sheet we had to know would be matched.

Absent those, there’s not much left. I don’t mean to totally downplay Willie Mitchell, but the man has not skated for 6 months. Clearly, Torrey Mitchell was never going to be a player the caliber of Willie, and Torrey missed more time, but it’s been clear from watching him that missing that much time on the ice has a direct impact on his game.

Being a hockey fan, I want to see Willie Mitchell signed somewhere. You hate to see anyone’s career ended by such a dirty hit. But is he our answer? Only if the price is right. I think even $3M might be high, given his injury concerns. But if it’s only for one year, I don’t see that we have very many other options.

1 year, $3M, final offer. Otherwise we’d better start looking for Kovalchuk because we’ll need to win every game 10-9.

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 14, 2010 1:05 PM PDT reply actions  

I don’t see that we have very many other options.

That’s kinda where I’m at too. There’s just not anything worthwhile left out there. It’s a risk/reward. If he comes back as a badass, it’s awesome…if not, we have the same blueline we have now (which may or may not be the blueline we go into the season with anyways). But yeah, no more than 3 million…and the cheaper the better.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd be leaning toward a 1 year, with bonuses (if we can grant them)

I think this would help offset the lower incoming number we’d want to offer, based on the risk assesment.

Plank’s dead on regarding the numbers here. If Mitchell can “pull a Maverick” and get back in the pilot seat, this guy is solid gold on D.

With Nabby no longer able to help seal up any holes defensively, we really need a guy like Mitchell next to Niity and Greiss.

Either way, I wish this guy the best. True Grit..

Awesome writeup, Plank.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

He’s not 35…I don’t think we can give him bonuses.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

I believe bonuses are an option
Performance bonuses will only be permissible for the following types of players: (1) players on entry-level contracts; (2) players signing one-year contracts after returning from long-term injuries (players with 400 or more games who spent 100 or more days on injured reserve in the last year of their most recent contract); and senior veteran players who sign a one-year contract after the age of 35.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yup. Willie was out from Jan 16 until the end of the season, which is more than 100 days. So should be eligible.

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 14, 2010 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

And there we go.

Get on the phone, DW.
Don’t get Bamboozled.
Bide your time.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh, well, that’s good news, then! As long as those bonuses (should he hit them) don’t put us egregiously over the cap like what happened to chicago.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

We'd just need a sacrificial lamb.

Nominations?

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I wouldnt be offering him three million

At this point, if he even can come back and play, He would be a pretty major liability.

I say if he’s lucky enough to get offered a deal somewhere, he’d probably take it.

I know the market has been set at 4 million for D men this year, but 3 million is still a little rich for my blood.

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 1:13 PM PDT reply actions  

Worth the risk

(first post ever)

Im my opinion Huskins and Wallin are both unproven as a lot of people question their worth. Why add another D that may or may not be able to compete at the level the Sharks need. I would like to see a proven D back their so we have one less person to worry about in the fall.

by Gongshow19 on Jul 14, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Welcome to the realm of the living, Gongshow!

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree with you that he’s worth the risk. However, I don’t agree that Wallin is “unproven,” he just isn’t worth 2.5M. At all.

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wallin

Unproven as a Shark.

by TnSD11 on Jul 14, 2010 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes that is true.

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm not on that bandwagon yet.

I say this because he didn’t have a chance to prove himself due to injury. I know many think DW gave him an unwarranted huuuuge raise (agreed it was a little large), but he wouldn’t waste cap on something he didn’t see value in going into 2010-2011.

God, I hope I don’t eat these words later.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

Desperate...indeed

I really don’t know how I feel about this. It makes me very uneasy to sign Mitchell and HOPE he becomes the top shutdown D man we need. Is it a desperate move like Elvis said, absolutely. Do I wish we were not in this situation, absolutely.

Now if we do sign him, I see this becoming one of the feel good and most critical stories of the Sharks ’10-11 season. I would love to root for him and hope this all works out, but the cap hit has to be around 2 million for 1 year in my eyes. This is like a Malholtra situation- come to a contender, prove you can play, play on a great team, and if all goes well you can try to reup with the Sharks or use it as a stepping stone to get paid somewhere else longer term.

Huge risk here, but I rather take this risk, then do nothing and risk our D out there right now.

by Ronnibily on Jul 14, 2010 1:20 PM PDT reply actions  

Not desperate.

Calculated risk. The deal would have to be structured accordingly.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

Desperate because there is hardly anything else on the market. If we signed Mitchell at a time when there were still a lot of options available, I would call it a calculated risk. But since DW probably did try to sign at least Hamhuis who said no, and the offer sheet got matched, this move with not many options left has to be labeled desperate to some degree.

by Ronnibily on Jul 14, 2010 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks Plank...

for cranking out some realistic reading. Over at Eklund’s Fantasy Island of Used Cars and Hockey Rumors, apparently you can get the grill off a 1952 Buick Special to fit a 2008 Saturn sedan. Oh and Kovalchuk will change the oil.

Thanks again.

I'll drink that! oh...I'll drink TO that, oh crap I quit drinking.

by theneverman on Jul 14, 2010 1:28 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

+1

Got a good chuckle out of that one.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

I imagine if Mitchell gets back on his skates soon and shows some potential, he will have multiple suiters. He is too good of a player for teams not to want to take a chance on him.

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 1:33 PM PDT reply actions  

He's definitely worth the risk.

No one knows how healthy Mitchell is better than himself, and i believe him when he says he’s 100% again. Here’s a great article about Willie Mitchell and some quick quotes from it:

http://www.vancouversun.com/Mitchell+determined+return/3173671/story.html

Mitchell understands cynics may suggest he is exaggerating his recovery to rebuild some value ahead of free agency.

"Hockey isn’t going to be the only thing I do in life," he explained. "I play this game and love this game, but there are other things in life I’m going to do when I’m done (playing)."

“To say you feel healthy, go play hockey and get smacked around and risk being a vegetable — that’s not what I want out of life. I wouldn’t subject my family to that. If I didn’t feel I could come back and be 100 per cent, I wouldn’t. There’s no amount of money you’d take to sacrifice your health.”

Willie Mitchell seems like a really good honest person and it wouldn’t make sense for him to lie about his health. I really hope the Sharks give him a chance.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 1:35 PM PDT reply actions  

yeah, I'm heading to that side of the campground (obviously).

Spirit means as much as talent to me. You need both.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

I should’ve said, it’s a great interview with Willie Mitchell. He talks a lot about his health and how he can’t wait to play again next season. It’s definitely worth checking out.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Khaaz, you got that exactly right. Mitchell is a Canuck fan fave for that honesty as anything else. His concussion was a huge loss going to the playoffs. You all saw the result of missing our #1 shutdown guy.

As it stands, he is supposed to start skating in the middle of this month…as is his normal routine coming back from his Minny cabin. That has not happened as of yet.

The thing is, he is such a leader on his “home” team", because of that honesty, ( he is from Port McNeill on Vancouver Island )…that if he was to take a one year…prove himself deal, and was good to go health wise, I have to think that Gillis would move around his shit to get him back on the roster. If he gives any team a break financially, it will probably be the Canucks.

That being said, if the Sharks are that better money deal, they would clearly jump to #2. SJ is still closer to home than most teams….and he would be the perfect fit you guys have all hit on.

BTW Mr Plank…great article as usual. You did well. That he is a great defenseman is not the only point. You painted the picture of coming back from having a concussion very well.

Kudos.

by vancitydan on Jul 14, 2010 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

except the Canucks already have 9 defensemen… so it seems unlikely that Gillis will be phoning Willie up any time soon.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Except for the part where he already said at the season ticket holders summit that he said he would. I think it was one of the first questions from the guys that buy the tickets.

He knows the man could be an elite shutdown guy again. As well as one of the leaders he is in the room.

As for having a lot of one way guys…in a league where everyone seems to feel that their blue line is needy, I really don’t see that being a problem.

He is well loved here by fans and team alike for good reason. No one wants him to come back healthy more…because he is such a great guy, amongst other things like drive and talent.

He has earned the right to get the chance to come back with the home team if he is healthy.

Regardless of the number of guys Gillis has to move around and trade. Though what Gillis said first is that he is not “there” yet. The man’s health comes first, as it seems even he knows.

by vancitydan on Jul 14, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Let's say Gillis would be willing to re-sign Mitchell

And I believe he would legitimately consider it if he had confidence in his health.
But then who’s left without a seat in this game of musical chairs in Vancouver? Ehrhoff?

NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Dan Ellis

by DownRUpLYB on Jul 14, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

Even if he’s ready and will take a one year deal, I think vancouver just has far too many D men under contract to fit Mitchell in…no matter how awesome he is or has been for yall. The Hamhuis signing and the Ballard trade signaled, at least to me, that they were moving on from Mitchell and filling their blueline elsewhere.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Definitely.

Even if they move Bieksa they’ll still have 8 defenseman and only around 2 million cap space left.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

"Hockey isn’t going to be the only thing I do in life"

“I play this game and love this game, but there are other things in life I’m going to do when I’m done (playing).”

WoW? I heard that’s pretty time consuming.

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'd take the chance.

Sign me up for camp $3 mil/1-year.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 1:36 PM PDT reply actions  

Here's what we realistically might be looking at....

And I must say, it doesn’t look too shabby at all

2010-11 SAN JOSE SHARKS
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Dany Heatley ($7.500m) / Joe Thornton ($7.200m) / Patrick Marleau ($6.900m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.625m) / Joe Pavelski ($4.000m) / * Devin Setoguchi ($3.200m)
Torrey Mitchell ($1.367m) / * Mike Modano ($1.500m) / Logan Couture ($1.242m)
Jamie McGinn ($0.997m) / Scott Nichol ($0.760m)
DEFENSEMEN
Dan Boyle ($6.667m) / Douglas Murray ($2.500m)
Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3.100m) / * Willie Mitchell ($3.100m)
Niclas Wallin ($2.500m) / Jason Demers ($0.543m)
Jay Leach ($0.500m)
GOALTENDERS
Antero Niittymaki ($2.000m) / Thomas Greiss ($0.550m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 20; CAP:$59.4m; CARRY-OVER PENALTY: $0.328m;
PAYROLL: $60.078m; CAP ROOM: $0.037m; BONUSES: $0.715m

by CheechYou on Jul 14, 2010 1:54 PM PDT reply actions  

That isn’t enough players though!

by Beantown Canuck on Jul 14, 2010 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions  

hahaha good catch.

Switch Modano for Ferreiro & McLaren and it works out.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh come on...A healthy Heater and Crankshaft are 4 players at least ;-)

And then there’s Murray.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Demers can play wing ;)

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

I’d say to trade Clowe for Kaberle and trade murray for picks or something, then use the extra cap space to fill out the roster.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

yes please! (from a Leafs fan)

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Really?

You would like to trade the most sought after D man out there right now for a guy who scored 19 goals last year?

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

He did have 57 points.

I think the main appeal for the Leafs is that he is a Brian Burke kind of player.

Don't let the name deceive you, I'm a fan of not only the Sharks, but the Lakers, 49ers, Giants, Angels, (and to a lesser extent) Capitals, and Titans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 14, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

He’s the most “realistic” in terms of top 6 (on the Leafs) acquisitions we can possibly hope to get for Kaberle.

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 14, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

2 straight seasons over 50 points from a 27 year old winger with a big body and pretty good puck possession skills is nothing to sneeze at. His 57 points last season would have led the Leafs, btw.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well Clowe did score 57 points, and 10 points in 15 games in the playoffs. Clowe’s a darn good player. Really the only reason most of us want to trade him is so that we can devote more cap space to defense.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

He’s just inconsistent, but i think he’ll get past that soon. If you erased the long scoring droughts he went on this season he’d easily be a point per game player.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

I didn't say he was a bad player

but Kaberle is going to net the Leafs more than Clowe. Or at least he should if Burke plays his cards right.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well it probably wouldn’t be a straight up trade, but Clowe would certainly be the main kog in the deal.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

lol what’s a kog? I meant Cog

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

GIVE ME BACK MY IPHONE!

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Perhaps but looking at the Leafs

roster the glaring hole I see is center. They don’t gave a top line center to play with Kessel and possibly Versteeg. That’s where I would be looking to improve if I was Burke. And I would be looking in places that are deep up the middle.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

And we're not giving up Marleau...

…not the least of which is the reason that there’s no way in hell we’re going to make Steve Ovadia’s retarded They resigned Marleau just to trade him fantasy BS true.

PS: TCY: you got my 5 minute tweet warning ;-)

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well 1 year of Kaberle is not going to get Burke Spezza, Savard, or any of those 1st line center players that the leafs really need.

The Maple Leafs just need people who can score really, and I think Kaberle for Clowe is a very fair deal that will definitely help their offense.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think that BB may wait for that top line center

I think its clear that Burkie has a gameplan, and likely his expectations this year are not to high. Probably his is looking for steady improvement from…you know… being the worst team in the league.

Since Clowe is locked up for 3 seasons, he could boster the overall talent of the top 6 over that time, and should the leafs find themselves in a playoff race near the deadline maybe he looks to add then.

IMO Clowe for Kaberle needs to include some extra throw ins from the leafs – something like a 3rd or 4th round pick and/or a decent prospect. The term on Clowe’s contract are pretty decent for what the Leafs are getting. That or a Kaberle extension in SJ needs to be in place when/if a trade drops.

by jMoneyBrah on Jul 14, 2010 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

expectations this year are not too high. Probably, he is looking for steady improvement

by jMoneyBrah on Jul 14, 2010 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

For one year of kaberle? I wouldn’t be so sure…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm positive

Several teams will see Kaberle as the final piece to put them over the top and go on a cup run.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

We’re on two opposite sides of the spectrum, then. Because I don’t think there’s even “several” teams out there who are one piece away from making a Cup run…and even fewer that need D men.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

this

We’ve whittled down the list of teams that actually look like they have a need for Kaberle, and there’s not a lot of players to like that could come back from them:
Dallas
Buffalo
New Jersey
LA
San Jose
So, looks like the trade is on hold at least until after Kovalchuk signs.
I think Clowe is inconsistent and overpaid, but I’m really not sure how good of a roster player we can expect back for Kaberle, considering his agent is being a dick and trying to warn interested teams that Kaberle won’t necesserily re-sign with them.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think NJ would be out after the D men they signed on July 1st, and I’m not sure Dallas is that close to contending that they’d see him as the missing link. The others are the one’s I’ve pegged. LA is a real possibility. Not sure any of them would be willing to part with an established top 6 winger like Clowe is, though.

But you are right in that Kaberle isn’t inspiring confidence in teams that may want him by saying he may not want to resign with any team that trades for him…that will lower offers. And Burke has repeatedly said that if they don’t see a package they like, they’ll just keep him. So he may just remain in Toronto, even though yall don’t really need him anymore.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

But you are right in that Kaberle isn’t inspiring confidence in teams that may want him by saying he may not want to resign with any team that trades for him

Kabs just loves T.O. too much!

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 14, 2010 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

Haha, maybe I need to travel up there an check it out then…if Kaberle is so in love with the place! I’ve actually heard its a pretty cool city.

I’ll be close when I’m on vacation next week…but not heading up into Canada…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Actually having a need for him

and having a GM that thinks he puts them over the top are two seperate things.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Correct, it’s is easy to look at rosters and find where he fits in, but hard to get into general manager’s brains and see how they think.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

For sure

cause half the time teams make trades that make no sense or it could be a case where one trade is a precursor to another…ie Ehrhoff….

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Really the only reason most of us want to trade him is so that we can devote more cap space to defense.

Replace defense with offense and you have the exact reason Leafs are trying to deal Kaberle.

Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Jul 14, 2010 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Which is why it’d be PERFECT! Except we really do need to find a shutdown D man first…sigh

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

I thought

That a players salary didn’t count against the cap if he was hurt and didn’t play? So where’s the risk outside of wasting jamisons money if he’s out all season long? I mean sign him up and make sure you have a contingency plan…..and if that involves playing with the current squad then so be it.

by SanJoseLandShark on Jul 14, 2010 1:57 PM PDT via mobile reply actions  

If he is on LTIR

then you can go over the cap by whatever you are paying him but once he comes back you would have to shed salary somehow.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

Good point.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Salary Cap is accrued daily

If you put a player on LTIR, those daily hits come off the cap. That’s how much you have to pay someone to take his place.

It’s how the Worcester Shuttle worked last season. Any day we didn’t have a game, we demoted someone so their salary didn’t count against the Cap.

The concern is not as much monetary. It’s more that if you’ve got $3M tied up in a d-man who might get injured, even if you can LTIR his salary off the cap, where and how do you replace him?

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 14, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sorry I think I might have missed the point of the first part of your post

about the cap. I know how it works. We had Demitra on LTIR most of the year so we are pretty well versed in how the cap is affected in that situation.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

It was mostly just to point out

That money isn’t the biggest concern. If a guy goes down, it won’t affect your cap. It’s more an issue of where do you find a guy to fill that void in the roster. If your number one shutdown d-man is suddenly lost for the season, who do you replace him with?

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 14, 2010 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Usually a vodka and coke.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

It does affect your cap

when he returns though. The issue with Mitchell is if he starts the season on LTIR and you don’t have cap room to reactive him later in the season and you have to shed salary. If Mitchell goes down later in the year and is done then you can trade to fill the gap. It’s much easier to add players than to shed cap.

"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor

by Section 312 on Jul 14, 2010 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fair point

I think we’re sortuv going in circles, but the point remains:

Is Willie Mitchell worth the financial and roster risks of bringing him in?

Given the dearth of options out there, and the potential a guy like Willie has, we probably still say yes, but we cross our fingers a little extra harder as we do it.

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 14, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah but that's my point

Everyone seems to be conceding that this is out only option so let’s do it. It’s not gonna hurt us and if he goes down then were right back in the same place without him.

If there’s other options then I wouldn’t cone to my conclusion so easily.

by SanJoseLandShark on Jul 14, 2010 2:36 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Sorry for the typos as fat fingers and an iPhone don’t go well together

by SanJoseLandShark on Jul 14, 2010 2:37 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

This guy gets injured too much.

"I knew when my career was over. In 1965, my baseball card came out with no picture."

— Bob Uecker

by syc on Jul 14, 2010 2:10 PM PDT reply actions  

I’ll injure YOU!

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

He means it, syc!

Look at all the damage he’s done to my beer supply!

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Invite him to summer training camp

and see how he does before signing a contract.

Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by PNK on Jul 14, 2010 2:22 PM PDT reply actions  

Not sure if we can do that(?)

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

We did it with Hinote and Dandenaut last year, right?

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

you can do it, if he doesn’t have a contract by then
the Red Wings did this with Brent Sopel one year. Then Sopel turned around and signed in Chicago for more money.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

And then he got traded to the Thrashers, so it didn’t exactly work out all that well for him in the long run.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

well

he did win a cup in between those two events

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

True, but that’s like experiencing the highest of highs and then the lowest of lows within a two week span. Well, not the lowest of lows – at least he wasn’t traded to the Oilers.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

I would think the Oilers do have some lingering prestige, though.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

Dany Heatley and Chris Pronger disagree.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions  

I didn't say a lot, but probably more desirable than ATL.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

I thought that said "Lingerie prestige..."

I must still be thinking about those Hockey Net Stilettos.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Only just now saw this

And I see that I was summoned, but miss the call

SO, here are those SJS goalie net heels for that special hockey occasion:

"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.

by SwisherThresher on Jul 14, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Okay, I'd wear those

Only because they’re black and teal. Never mind. MsClowie, wanna do us the honors? :P

Now, MsClowie, you won’t be able to leave your seat or even stand up wearing those things, but they’d be worth the comic value.

Thanks, Swish!!!!!!

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 14, 2010 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

You're welcome!

I’d even rock the ugly white nets if they didn’t cost the same as a 7th D-man.

"Sorry guys, I’m not going to try and hit (Douglas) Murray anymore. It doesn’t work." - Steve Ott, Dallas Stars.

by SwisherThresher on Jul 14, 2010 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I’d even rock the ugly white nets if they didn’t cost the same as a 7th D-man.

So recommended.

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 15, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

I wouldn't be wearing them out

if ya know what I mean ;) can you imagine sitting in the rafters with those things? You’d die for sure no questions about it. THANKS SWISH!!! Its kinda beautiful actually.

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

haha ;-)
yep they’re not for going anywhere that’s for sure. I don’t understanding who wears heels like that to begin with!!!
Now if they made hockey net “lingerie” or something that might be more interesting and the ladies could at least avoid emergency-room visits.

Wait, hockey net lingerie – that could be a good business idea, hmm…
:P

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 15, 2010 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions  

Some people are trying to work ya know!

Is it hot in here?

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

by Morti on Jul 15, 2010 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Why on Earth would you be working when women are talking about lingerie?

Man, you have a kid and suddenly your priorities are all screwed up!

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 15, 2010 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

bwahahahah that's so mean

and Jen good idea go forth and suggest that to VS :) new market out there for the hockey/soccer/basketball/tennis any net sport fanatics.

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

hockey-net stockings?

Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by PNK on Jul 15, 2010 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

Whole set buddy...whatever your lady wants.

Hey Jen the sales pitch/slogan would be"You will score every single time" :P OK I’m going to stop before I get banned or flagged.

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

FLAGGED!

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

by Morti on Jul 15, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

"You will score every single time" haha

Seriously, now, you know how they have fish-net bodysuits, etc.? Hockey net fetishwear would be HUGE!!!!!!!!

Oh poor Morti.

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 15, 2010 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'm convinced.

I didn’t know much about Mitchell previously, but this article has pretty much sold me on signing him. The concussions are a bit of a concern, but Mitchell says he feels great and no one knows him better than he does. He sounds like the upgrade we need defensively.

Don't let the name deceive you, I'm a fan of not only the Sharks, but the Lakers, 49ers, Giants, Angels, (and to a lesser extent) Capitals, and Titans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 14, 2010 2:22 PM PDT reply actions  

So if the Sharks decide Mitchell isn't worth the risk...

Is there anyone else out there that could seriously help the blueline? I’m thinking the risk on Mitchell might be one of our only options…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 3:11 PM PDT reply actions  

Alexei Semenov

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sandis Ozolinsh

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

List of UFA Defensemen.

I like Grebeshkov a lot.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Unfortunately, DW hates Russians…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

another semi-decent stay at home defenseman in Andy Sutton.

"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky

by Karina on Jul 14, 2010 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

I like Sutton's game

He’s big as hell and not afraid to use it. (TWSS)
Not sure if he’d fit on the top pair with Boyle, but he would be a solid addition in general. And his game has gotten significantly better since his initial stint in SJ. But off the top of my head, I think he’s looking for $3+ and term, so I think that’s why he might not have been mentioned in the Sharks plans.

NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Dan Ellis

by DownRUpLYB on Jul 14, 2010 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh Ivano

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 14, 2010 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

Mike Rathje

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

Doug Wilson will come out of retirement.

"Obligatory Twitter Plug Goes Here":http://twitter.com/Nightwing94

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 14, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

too much of a cap hit.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

I kind of want him just so that I can break my habit of getting him confused with Gorbachev. Because explaining how Grebeshkov contributed to the end of the Soviet Union to your class is really, really embarrassing.

"I think I realized after the second or third punch, I should have taken his helmet off sooner." - Ryane Clowe
Proud member of the "Doug Wilson for Governor" Club
Fools and Sages

by mymclife on Jul 14, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

In Soviet Russia

Soviet Union End You!

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

Grebs is more of an offensive guy, we need somebody in the shut down role and he isn’t it.

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

by Evilducks on Jul 15, 2010 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ian White possibly?

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

From a vs. Maple Leafs game.

Mitchell took a stick to the eye. Damn lucky he didn’t lose it, as Moore’s butt-cap was against the glass when the blade hit him in the face…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7CZsOJMb84

F-ing ouch, man.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:06 PM PDT reply actions  

andy sutton would have been a hundred times better pick than wallin

by withintheruins14 on Jul 14, 2010 4:06 PM PDT reply actions  

LOL. Niiiice. missed these links before I posted below.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

An interview with him, Re: Calling out the NHL on heavy blind hits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_UWOVVzaO8

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:10 PM PDT reply actions  

I'm not sure I'm a big fan of this

Sure he’s a great defenseman, but the Sharks have such high expectations (winning the Cup), we can’t have our (potentially) second best defenseman go out halfway through the year (even though it is unlikely).

by kiwi93 on Jul 14, 2010 4:14 PM PDT reply actions  

Yeah I think I’m on the same page as you are.
I don’t wanna spend a shitload of money on this guy, even if he IS good

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 14, 2010 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Check the replay of him leveling Toews on youtube.

That’ll take any doubt out of your mind that this is the guy we need.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions  

That’s pretty sweet – reminds me of a Kronwall type of hit (I know, I know, I shouldn’t say anything nice about the Wings around these parts).
I like it.

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 14, 2010 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

IMO, bad call by the refs...

…the hit was head on, Toews was just going too fast to avoid it. THAT my friends, is the Achilles heel of speed skaters.

Seeing Byffy all “WTF?” was worth the clip.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

I agree, it was a bad call, and it’s rare to see Buff with that WTF expression, but it’s priceless everytime :D

by JenLovesHockey on Jul 15, 2010 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

Totally clean, even kept his arms down by his sides.
Is it wrong to laugh when Toews can’t even stay on his skates?

by calixtus on Jul 14, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

If W. Mitchell gets signed, do you guys think he'd be the only defensive acquisition?

I think there has to be another. The injury risk would be too great and I don’t think any of us would be comfortable to roll with Boyle-Murray, Vlasic-Wallin, Huskins-Demers/AHL’ers.

Proud member of the "Bring back Semenov" Club !!

by idunno723 on Jul 14, 2010 4:39 PM PDT reply actions  

Probably not, but...

I do think that the Worcester Shuttle may bring 1-2 low-cap hitters.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

There would have to be another signing. Don’t forget about Jay Leach though! (hahahaha i crack myself up….)

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 14, 2010 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

Don't sign concussions.

That’s my opinion: No on Willie Mitchell. No on concussions, and very careful decisions on double-sports-hernias. Maybe the sports-hernia is in question about Seto, too (?).

"...Take a deep breath sometimes... a break...and play some...hockey."
"...Hockey is a great way to take a pause from...day-to-day hard work..." -- Lt Gen. D.H. Huntoon Jr.
"TIC" means "Tongue-In-Cheek", when I use it in comments, in case one doesn't know. ;-)

by Soloact on Jul 14, 2010 5:32 PM PDT reply actions  

I see a lot of No’s to Willie Mitchell and his concussions…and very few suggestions over who would be better/who we should go after instead. I’m not a huge fan of signing a concussion risk…but seriously, were at the point of who else is left?

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 6:18 PM PDT reply actions  

Having had 4 concussions the whole concussion risk thing for me is meh. Granted I never had one as bad as Mitchell but I still think he has it in him to play for us. Plus look at the hit that led to his concussion how often does that happen. That was a very dirty hit, I honestly think he could be good.

"Hes like a Sweedish Bear" -Randy Hahn 4/8/10

Dont boo your team!

by Krishna on Jul 14, 2010 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah i’m pretty sure he’s more of a heads up player, that hit was just bad luck. I don’t think it will affect his physical play that much.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

I agree

we don’t really have many other options at this point…but really can we all be comfortable with the fact there is a chance every time this guy gets hit, he doesn’t go down and we just lost a $3M player for the rest of the season? I’m not saying I don’t want him cause Plank made a pretty convincing argument for this guy in his article. I can see why he’d be kick ass but its like Ortie getting hit hard too hard in the wrong position…or when Jumbo went down bad into the boards and couldn’t get up….we all kinda hold our breaths a little. Imagine doing that ALL season….its a risk as is everything.

I’m super torn…seems like a good player good stats when healthy but its so risky. :(

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah super torn as well. I don’t have a better FA option as an alternative but our defense is just so poor that should he become hurt again for an extended period of time I would hate to see DW bent over trying to come up with a quick replacement which we’d certainly need if it was for a long period of time. Obviously any player could be hurt at any time but it freaks me out a little.

Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!

by Sharkzilla on Jul 15, 2010 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

werd

:)

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

See, this is where I’m at. If we have no other options (and no one has made a convincing case that we do), then maybe the risk is worth taking…since if he gets hurt, we’re RIGHT BACK WHERE WE ARE NOW. Except if we don’t have to fill that void until midseason (assuming Mitchell stays healthy for a while) a whole host of trade partners could open up due to the fact that teams would start falling out of the playoff hunt. At that point a Jan Hejda could be availiable for trade.

Overall, I trust DW to make the right choices for this team. I’m just not against signing this guy just because he’s had concussions. Mitchell feels he’s ready…and I’m sure DW wouldn’t sign him unless everyone was convinced he was ready. And if he is ready, and we can get him for 3 million, that’s a steal! And if the worst happens, we’re back to where we’re already at, needing to make a trade…except possibly with more potential trade partners.

I hope that all made sense…I feel like I’m rambling.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 15, 2010 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

nope i think

Sharkzilla and I agree.

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah we appear to all be in agreement. Just glad it does not have to be my call :)

Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!

by Sharkzilla on Jul 15, 2010 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

same here...

DW probably has guts of steel.

High sticking, tripping, slashing, spearing, charging, hooking, fighting, unsportsmanlike conduct, interference, roughing… everything else is just figure skating.
- Anonymous

"My hope is that we put him (Couture) on a line with Seto and CloweThen you get the Coochy-Goochy-Clowe line." - Cerise

by mssjsclowie29 on Jul 15, 2010 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

I’ve been on the Big Willie bandwagon for quite a while now. And at this point, he’s pretty much the only decent option that wouldn’t require us to break up our top 6 forwards. That said, it’s a risk.

The biggest question you have to ask yourself as a fan is if the worst happened, and Willie went down, would you be able to sleep at night with a Mitchell-less defense. Gauging from most fans on this blog I would say most are not…people are freaking out about our defense right now, irregardless of reasoning.

I for one, would be willing to take the risk. Here’s why:

1. Information about concussions has come a long way in the last 5 years. I’m not saying that reduces the risk much, if any, but if Mitchell was unable to play we would know about it.

2. So what if he took a big hit and was out for the rest of the season? Our defense would be screwed right? It would be much weaker yes, but the backup options could provide us some relief (Leech, Joslin), plus there’s no telling where guys like Moore and Petrecki will be in their advancement.

3. Consider the alternative: trade a top 6 forward (Clowe or Seto) for a top 4 defenseman. It may be just as much of a risk to ask McGinn or Couture to produce like a top 6 forward next year. Look, I am as excited as anyone about these two kids, but asking one of them to produce like a top 6 forward next year with so little NHL experience (94 GP for McGinn, 25 GP for Couture, not including playoffs) might be as much of a risk as taking a chance on Mitchell.

By taking a chance on Mitchell, you are at least buying your prospects both defensive and offensive some time to prove who is most deserving of a promotion. This would effectively negate the risk of losing Mitchell to injury.

We just traded who for who?!

by BawLa on Jul 14, 2010 7:34 PM PDT reply actions  

If Willie had the worst happen to him and got his bell rung that one last time…he would go on LTIR.

You would also have that Cap you spend on him to get a replacement.

by vancitydan on Jul 14, 2010 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's the problem

There are no really good defenseman left to sign!

Having the money is one thing, but finding the talent is another.

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

by Morti on Jul 14, 2010 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

All the more reason to sign Mitchell then. If he does go down in the middle of the season, we could try to make a trade for someone before the deadline, where there might actually be more options available to us such as Jan Hejda, maybe Barret Jackman, or other top defenseman from teams who aren’t making the playoffs and are looking to sell.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed.

There’s more likely to be better trade options availiable during the regular season, once teams remember that they aren’t contenders this season…

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 14, 2010 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Awesomely good point.

Plus, the kid has G-R-I-T.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 14, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

I’m not too keen on taking a risk with Mitchell unless DW’s somehow able to convince him to accept a cool, round $1 million for 1 year, or something in that domain. The key word here to me is “concussion”. There are countless examples, as Plank mentioned in the above thoroughly entertaining and exhaustively researched piece (high five, fist pound), of notable athletes across all sports that have had their careers severely impacted and even prematurely ended by concussions. Many injuries can result in a full recovery and a return to, or close to, 100%. Concussions, however, are a completely different story.

I present to you, Bay Area sports fans, Exhibit A:

Yeah, I know, extreme example, but as Plank also mentioned, anyone who’s been concussed is much more susceptible to suffering further concussions. Steve Young’s 6 (6 officially, probably more) concussions forced him off the field and into a considerably less exciting (for Niners fans) life of sports commentary and endorsements. Now, I wouldn’t have been so against the endorsements if they had been for a sexy marque like Audi, but the guy got stuck talking up quite possibly the blandest cars on the road. I begrudgingly concede that the Toyota ads showcased the quirky, humorous side of the legend that we as sports fans didn’t get to see as often. But I digress.

Toss in the fact that Mitchell hasn’t even been skating and performing drills yet, and I have zero confidence in him as an investment. No offense Plank, but I think signing Mitchell at this point in the offseason would reek of desperation, and considering there are still several months before the puck drops in the land of perfect and statuesque human specimens replete with blue eyes, I’m all for seeing what tricks, if any, DW still has up his sleeves.

..:Fear The Fin:..
The artist formerly known as cyoung

by OtherKid on Jul 14, 2010 10:32 PM PDT reply actions  

Mitchell is following his usual summer routine leading into the regular season, which is the reason he hasn’t skated yet. Here are some quotes from the Willie Mitchell interview i linked above:

"I’m doing my normal workouts for this time of year. I’m excited. I’m excited about playing hockey again and trying to pick up where I left off."

He said he has sustained his heart rate during some workouts at 170 beats per minute with no consequences.

But he won’t start skating again until July because, he said, that’s his typical summer routine and he doesn’t want to change it due to his injury.

by Khaaz on Jul 14, 2010 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed. I mean just how many concussions has Mitchell suffered from?

…and how many players have come back from a hit without issue?

Not that I disagree about the risk, but we’rd not talking a bout a 5th line rookie here.

Going by Young’s example: Was it a bad move by the 49ers to take him after the first concussion? Should they have just let him roll off without trying?

I think not.

After going through what everyone has said over the last 18hours, pending a medical review, I’d say it would be a low risk to take him to summer camp, and put him on a $1M contract with $250-300K payouts every 6 weeks he is active roster. This minimizes the downside, and doesn’t penalize him if he comes back 100%.

Win-Win.

IMO.

Just my $0.02

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

Sounds great, I just can’t imagine being able to lock him up for only $1M. If he is deemed healthy, he’ll probably have many potential suiters which will drive up the price.

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 15, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

Well in Noctro’s example it would be a 1 million dollar contract with a lot of bonuses. So we could probably sign him to a 1.5 or 2 million dollar contract and then if he plays a full season then he’d probably get something closer to 3 million.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

That seems a little more realistic. Obviously Noctro’s contract is better for the Sharks, I just don’t think a player as good as Mitchell would take that kind of deal.

Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.

Twitter! rmorse05

by sharks in oc on Jul 15, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

f he get's that he's a rs, he will.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions  

*growl*

If he get’s that he’s a bit of a risk, he’ll do it.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

And don't forget...

Mike Matheny….one of the best defensive catchers I’ve seen play the game (baseball in case you didn’t know). His career ended shortly after multiple concussions.

But like I said earlier, we have come a long way since the 90’s and especially over the last 5 years in understanding concussions and the difference between career ending concussions versus the common ones sports players endure regularly. There is more knowledge about the treatment of concussions too.

It is a risk, and if you’re smart enough, you can calculate the risk to precision.

We just traded who for who?!

by BawLa on Jul 15, 2010 2:11 AM PDT up reply actions  

You are comparing Willie to one of the gods of football.. Ugh I don’t like that photo of poor Steve on the found :( Steve Young still become of the the greats of quarterbacks sooo?

by THEMARD on Jul 14, 2010 11:34 PM PDT reply actions  

Lol how do you edit your post… Failed at writing that last sentence.

by THEMARD on Jul 14, 2010 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

You proofread?

Proud member of the "Bring back Semenov" Club !!

by idunno723 on Jul 15, 2010 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions  

or is it edit-able?

DAMN IPHONE! ;-)

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

You know, there could be a whole thread on not being able to edit your threads.

(sic.)

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe we should start a fanpost...

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

by ElvisVF101 on Jul 15, 2010 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

+1 for reckless abandon

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997
Founder: Retire Teal #20 with Honors Club

by Noctro on Jul 15, 2010 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions  

If DW doesn't end up signing Willie Mitchell

We should maybe consider a Vlasic/Boyle pairing imo. Now i know, there’s not a lot of physicality in a pairing like that but we all seem to be ok with a Vlasic/Kaberle pairing, and Boyle is more physical than Kaberle is, though smaller.

I really just want to give Boyle all the help we can give him since he seems to have been spread a little thin last season. I don’t want Boyle to have to be the first man back (because Murray is too slow to be that guy) while still being required to jump into the play on offense. I think pairing him with Vlasic would give him much more freedom on offense, and a much better partner to support Boyles offensive game since Vlasic is certainly better with the puck than Murray is.

We’ve seen Boyle be physical and hold his own against guys like Ovechkin, i think it could work. Pairing Vlasic with Boyle might also force Vlasic to be more physical, which is something we’ve always wanted out of him.

We could then maybe trade for Ian White (or offer sheet him) and put him on our 2nd defense pairing with Murray or Wallin. I think Ian White is a real good option for us, he scored 9 goals 17 assists 26 points in 56 games with the MAPLE LEAFS, plus he’s cheap and can do big minutes for us.

I’d definitely rather have healthy Willie Mitchell, but i think this could be a good alternative, and i think Ian White is a good offensive defenseman option for us either way.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:01 PM PDT reply actions  

Here's what our lines could look like:

2010-11 SAN JOSE SHARKS

FORWARDS
Dany Heatley ($7.500m) / Joe Thornton ($7.200m) / Patrick Marleau ($6.900m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.625m) / Joe Pavelski ($4.000m) / * Devin Setoguchi ($3.200m)
Jamie McGinn ($0.997m) / Logan Couture ($1.242m) / Benn Ferriero ($0.850m)
Cameron MacIntyre ($0.600m) / Scott Nichol ($0.760m) / Frazer McLaren ($0.543m)
Andrew Desjardins ($0.500m)

DEFENSEMEN
Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3.100m) / Dan Boyle ($6.667m)
Douglas Murray ($2.500m) / * Ian White ($3.500m)
Niclas Wallin ($2.500m) / Jason Demers ($0.543m)
Jay Leach ($0.500m)

GOALTENDERS
Antero Niittymaki ($2.000m) / Thomas Greiss ($0.550m)

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 22; CAP:$59.4m; CARRY-OVER PENALTY: $0.328m;
PAYROLL: $60.104m; CAP ROOM: $0.226m; BONUSES: $0.930m

Now i’m not sure how much Ian White would cost really, but I put him at 3.5 million since i can’t imagine him costing any more than that.

He could be another good target for an offer sheet (not at 3.5 million though, i don’t think he’s worth a 1st and a 3rd) since Calgary doesn’t have the cap space to resign him at all. Plus he also didn’t seem to click with Calgary very much, so they may not even care about matching his offer really. We could offer sheet him for 3.1 million and it would only cost us a 2nd, or hell maybe we could sign him for 1.559 million (he only made 850k last year) and it would only cost us a 3rd round pick.

Ideally though, he would cost less than 3.5 million and we wouldn’t have to lose Torrey Mitchell. (who i still like, if only for his defensive play)

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh and i don’t know if there are any Clowe fans around here (lols), but with this roster we get to keep Clowe!

I like Clowe, and I don’t want to lose him if we don’t have to. I see him putting up career high numbers next year if he stays with the Sharks.

Our offense should be really spectacular. Our 1st line should be as good as ever, Marleau’s numbers might drop a bit, buti expect Heatleys numbers to look better. Our 2nd line has underachieved alot during the regular season, and I think next season could be when they all finally hit their strides together and start putting up the numbers we know they can. Even our 3rd line has a ton of talent on it, and they could be a serious offensive threat as well.

I honestly would not mind this roster at all, although it all depends on how well a Boyle/Vlasic pairing would play together really.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions  

Did you trade Huskins and Mitchell for a bag of pucks in your roster?

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 15, 2010 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

How about the one on Twitter somewhere. Bieksa for Clowe and a 1st, I think it was.

by vancitydan on Jul 15, 2010 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Get Kevin Bieksa and Willie!!! They have tons of chemistry… That could be our top shutdown line.

by THEMARD on Jul 15, 2010 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Huh…yeah…it sounds like you guys are more sold on Willie.

I wouldn’t discount Kevin Bieksa on a retiring contract.

Players that play for that next contract usually have big years.

by vancitydan on Jul 15, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions  

Does it really matter?

I guess we could trade Mitchell for a 3rd or something, and then waive huskins. Maybe they were included as part of a trade for Ian White (rather than an offersheet), I dunno, whatevs.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ian White would be a good pick up but he’d have to come via trade since we can’t offer sheet him because he has filed for arbitration so we’d have to trade or see if he hit the open market should they walk away from his arbitration result.

Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!

by Sharkzilla on Jul 15, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hmm, that kinda sucks but I really doubt the Flames can afford his arbitration price so maybe we could pick him up as a UFA after arbitration fails.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

What about Mitchell and White

And get rid of Murray and Huskins
Boyle-Mitchell
Vlasic-White
Wallin-Demers
Leach

Eh?

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jul 15, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah that would be ideal for sure, but i was trying to come up with another option for us in case DW doesn’t want to take a risk on Willie Mitchell.

If Willie Mitchell is healthy and we can sign him for 3 mill then we’ll have ourselves an awesome team, no matter what else we do in the offseason really. This would be an awesome roster though:

FORWARDS
Dany Heatley ($7.500m) / Joe Thornton ($7.200m) / Patrick Marleau ($6.900m)
Ryane Clowe ($3.625m) / Joe Pavelski ($4.000m) / * Devin Setoguchi ($3.200m)
Jamie McGinn ($0.997m) / Logan Couture ($1.242m) / Benn Ferriero ($0.850m)
Cameron MacIntyre ($0.600m) / Scott Nichol ($0.760m) / Frazer McLaren ($0.543m)
Andrew Desjardins ($0.500m)
DEFENSEMEN
Dan Boyle ($6.667m) / * Willie Mitchell ($3.000m)
Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3.100m) / * Ian White ($3.000m)
Niclas Wallin ($2.500m) / Jason Demers ($0.543m)
Jay Leach ($0.500m)
GOALTENDERS
Antero Niittymaki ($2.000m) / Thomas Greiss ($0.550m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS
ROSTER: 22; CAP:$59.4m; CARRY-OVER PENALTY: $0.328m;
PAYROLL: $60.104m; CAP ROOM: $0.226m; BONUSES: $0.930m

We’d have a top shutdown defenseman to play with Boyle, and a good young offensive defenseman to play alongside Vlasic, AND we get to keep Clowe. I’d DEFINITELY rather keep Clowe and sign Ian White, than use Clowe to get Kaberle.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Man that is actually very doable assuming DW is ok with taking a bit of a risk on Willie Mitchell. God that would be a damn good team…

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

And even if Mitchell goes down, Boyle/Wallin isn’t awful.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 15, 2010 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah, for a worst-case scenario it’s not so bad, although i’d like to see us trade for someone like Hejda or Jackman before the deadline if that were to happen.

by Khaaz on Jul 15, 2010 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Not to take anything away from Willie

But Philly is really really really over the cap with a lot of contracts. Do you think DW is gearing up for someone from there?

They need to save almost 3 Mil – and Coburn is expendable (I believe) in their eyes. Carle and Pronger were great together and with Kimmo and Meszaros taking up the second pairing (likely) are you willing to pay 3.2 for a “3rd” pairing D-man? They may end up selling low with some forwards and this becomes a moot point.

Just some food for thought. Plus I didn’t want to make a FanPost – those are out of control.

by ilooklikeafat16 on Jul 15, 2010 2:30 PM PDT reply actions  

I think they;re looking to move Gagne’s salary…which would more than satisfy their salary moving requirements. They really like their defense.

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 15, 2010 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

They just re-signed Coburn.

He would have been expendable if they signed Hamhuis, but now I think they see him as part of their core.

Don't let the name deceive you, I'm not just a Sharks fan but a Lakers, 49ers, Angels, Giants (and to a lesser extent) Capitals, and Titans fan.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jul 15, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

Gotcha. Still gotta drop something somewhere. DW isn’t above picking up some piece and trading it…I’m my eyes. He not notorious for it but in this economy…….

by ilooklikeafat16 on Jul 15, 2010 6:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Gagne is what they’re trying to clear up. We don’t need another expensive forward.

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

by Evilducks on Jul 15, 2010 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Sorry for the noob question, but

Is Setoguchi becoming a UFA tomorrow? :O!

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jul 15, 2010 6:26 PM PDT reply actions  

Nope. Sharks hold is rights for I think the year.

Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!

by Sharkzilla on Jul 15, 2010 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes, the made a qualifying offer so he's their RFA until September, at least, I believe.

"I just twoted all over the place!"
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud founder of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jul 15, 2010 11:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

I think it goes to January something…if you don’t sign your RFA by then, they can’t sign for the rest of the year…

But I am not sure.

by vancitydan on Jul 16, 2010 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions  

What about Alex pietreangolo

What do you think it would take to get Pietrangolo???Heater or Setoguchi and a prospect or picks.

GO SHARKS GO

by Thorntonfan19 on Jul 21, 2010 6:16 AM PDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

The Official SB Nation blog of the San Jose Sharks.

FanPosts


Managing Editor

Photo_388_small Mr. Plank

Editor

Slappy_small Matthew_Taylor

Authors

Pavs2_small idunno723

Poseypavelski_small mymclife

Shark_trek_small jwizzle241

Ovechkin-russia-080518-584_small Ivano M

Shfe_small Jon Allred

Bender-smoking_small The Neutral

Moderators

2296_s_small Nael M.

Mikey_small ElvisVF101

Z_small ZeroIndulgence

313483_2054510893373_1562580382_31984672_1965025_n_small James Brady