YOUR BRAIN IN SUMMER

by FinAdic on Jul 14, 2010 11:43 PM PDT

Hello everybody! I'd just thought I'd use this Fanpost to clear my head of some crazy (some might call blasphemous) ideas. Anyway, here they are.

So I know that we had a really strong team last year, and we were oh so close to the elusive stanley's cup. And while I haven't been a devoted sharks fan for very long ('08 playoffs specifically), last year seemed like the strongest team in a while. So naturally, I decided to join this sports blog to help keep me connected to the team in the offseason as well as keeping me up to date on any trades and/or signings. This site has done wonders to my free time, effectively putting a stranglehold on much of my productivity. With each article, I learn about what the sharks need to improve and from where they can receive that help. Each day I get excited for a move from DW that'll blow my mind, yet so far (and I realize it's only july) we haven't seen big changes.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fully confident that DW will do what's best from the team and will put a very capable team on the ice next season. However, knowing that we are in a huge need for a shutdown defenseman, and knowing that there is a very short supply from which to pull from, I can't help but speculate. In my opinion, it is very possible that we are not able to acquire another defenseman. I'm sure DW does not accept that at all, and will move mountains to make sure that doesn't happen, but that's his job. And (IMO) it's my job to be the realist and accept real possibilities.

Could this turn out to be a rebuilding year, so to speak? While it may sound stupid, I'd like to think about it for just a minute. I mean, the Sharks have been a strong team for years, but for whatever reason have failed to really be a strong force in the playoffs. Maybe, and I know it's a big maybe, DW is taking a step back and thinking that maybe he should slow down for a minute. He's made huge trades in the past couple years as a way to kinda press the gas pedal straight for a cup win. But we've come up just short, and perhaps this year DW is going to try a different approach to giving this club its first Stanley Cup.

Even as I finish it I'm kinda thinking how stupid it sounds, but there is a part of me that believes this could turn out to be fairly accurate. Anyway, I just wanted to post this so I could get some feedback from people who know a lot more about this team and hockey than me. (Sorry for the choppy writing, that's what happes when you go to a music school). Try not to flame too much. Thanks.

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

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Comments

On what basis do you believe next season will be a rebuilding year? Given the talent on this roster and the fact that the core hasn’t been dismantled I don’t think anything but competing for the Cup next season is on DW’s mind. And while DW hasn’t acquired the shutdown defenseman this team sorely needs, it’s not like he hasn’t been on the offensive either.

Out of curiosity, what’s with the title of this fan post?? I read the title thinking this was going to be another hockey unrelated fanpost clogging up FTF like JenLovesHockey’s fifteen World Cup Threads. : P

Patty Marleau lives an erotic life.

by Will Bulldozer on Jul 15, 2010 1:37 AM PDT reply actions

The title IS weird

With the state of the farm system, and the way that this team is currently structured, I don’t think that you could call this upcoming year a rebuilding year by a long shot. San Jose is stacked with top tier talent, including a freshly re-signed Marleau. DW also chose to re-sign a veteran Dman, paying a premium for his experience and Cup victory, at higher than market value (2.5!!!!!!!!!). Wilson was also willing to gamble next years 1st and 3rd to go after an 2nd year RFA Dman.

Pretty much any NHL ready player from the A is penciled in to be a contributor as a role player in the NHL this year (Couture, McGinn, Ferriero, Demers, McLaren, and most likely Joslin. I am going to go ahead and venture to say that McCarthy and Moore also get some NHL time this season). The Sharks have lacked top picks in the draft for several years now (1 top 20 pick in the last 4 years (Couture at 9th), 5 top 60 picks in the last 4 years (Charlie Coyle, William Wrenn, Taylor Doherty, Couture, and Nick Petrecki), and while we do have players in the AHL showing potential, I think it is fair to say that none of the prospects are locks to make the top line on either offense or defense in the near, intermediate, or long-term future. Basically there is not much in Woosta to rebuild around.

Meanwhile, in San Jose we have a VERY marquee first line of Heatley. Thornton, and Marleau all reaching the pinnacle years of their careers. We have a 2nd line of overachievers (Clowe and Pavelski) and a dangerous scorer just waiting to hit stride (Seto) that have shown tremendous chemistry, skill, and desire. Our defense is not tremendously unchanged from last year (as long as you can buy into Wallin being a reasonable approximation of Blake…2.5!!!!!!!!!! /facepalm).

Despite what Eklund says: I doubt Kovi ends up on the West Coast. At this point LA, Dallas, Calgary, and Colorado are mostly unchanged or likely not a threat. Phoenix looks to be taking a step back. Chicago has dumped pretty much every role player but still has the elite core to challenge for a top playoff spot. Only Vancouver has done any real improvements at this point in the offseason (can you say stacked D corps, in addition to the WC top offense). Even with a defense that, ‘round these parts, we question on pretty much a daily basis I don’t think I am being a homer when I say that we should make the top four out of the West pretty handily.

Follow me though a thought experiment. If we resign Seto (more like when) it will I think it is reasonable to expect a 4 year contract. Also let’s assume that Big Joe re-signs next year. He has signed back to back 3 year contracts, and considering his age, the success he has had here, and the talent that would surround him, I believe that he will sign another three year contract to stay with the Sharks. This would put Crankshaft, Vlasic, and Clowe as RFA’s at the end of the 2013-2014 season. Now consider that Heatley, Marleau, Thornton, Pavelski, Seto, and Boyle’s contracts all expire the following year. If there ever was going to be a time to rebuild the team it would be at the end of the 2013-2014 season when our 2nd tier players are coming off the books and we can trade the last contract years of our top tier talent for picks and prospects.

The farm system, current lineup, and salary cap state all point to: NO we are not rebuilding.

PS next time I am posting this as a FanPost just to spite Plank.

by jMoneyBrah on Jul 15, 2010 3:29 AM PDT up reply actions

BTW welcome to sbnation

don’t read anything into the length of my comment. I just started writing and it all just came out. Please can hockey start soon!!!!!

by jMoneyBrah on Jul 15, 2010 3:40 AM PDT up reply actions

no i like it!

throwing out facts are the best way to get through this. it’s all we’ve got!

by FinAdic on Jul 15, 2010 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions

well basically the idea stemmed from the possibility of not being able to acquire anyone else, so I thought maybe this year the team would have a different outlook.

as far as the title, that is my attempt at being creative. it’s supposed to be a reference to “this is your brain on drugs”. haha, but now i can definitely tell how it makes zero sense out of context.

by FinAdic on Jul 15, 2010 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions

the title

in my head, “wow, another fanpost that could go int he OT section…wait, what? hey, look! hockey!”

MeThinksSports Q!!!

by serrapadre716 on Jul 15, 2010 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions

If we were planning on rebuilding…Marleau would not have been resigned, Heatley would not have been traded for last season, and Thornton would be on his way out. DW has said many times this offseason that he believes we’re entering a 4-5 year window where we can compete for a Cup. This team is not rebuilding in any sense of the word.

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

by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 15, 2010 11:07 AM PDT reply actions

This team is not rebuilding in any sense of the word.

They play in a building.

by ilooklikeafat16 on Jul 15, 2010 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Not a rebuilding year

We haven’t invested in youth at all during this off-season. Marleau’s resigning reaffirms that we are making another run at the cup with the same core. The only area that could be considered re-building is goaltending

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

by waive kent huskins on Jul 15, 2010 2:01 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah...

just because a team can’t reach the “big” series doesn’t mean they aren’t a threat to get there in the near future. Im sorry you’re a casual fan and me being a UW alum kind of obligates me to pay attention to to the giants and such but this sharks team is for real. They are currently looking for those 2-3 guys who are literally the difference in this case of being the difference of winning the cup or not. All indications (including the NH offer sheet) point to the fact that the sharks are a group of elite players who don’t care about money, they want to add a stanley cup birth to their resumes, and they’re waiting for the gm to give them the 3/4th line support that they need to win. As soon as that is added, go ahead and pencil in a Sj vs Pitt/NJ/WA Stanley cup finals in 2011

by Haie on Jul 17, 2010 1:30 AM PDT reply actions

i don't consider myself a casual fan

I haven’t missed a sharks game since the 08 playoffs, which i def don’t consider a casual fan. Sure it’s not a long time, but wutevs. I was just wondering what might happen if they can’t get what they want in the offseason. I like what you’re saying though. A SJ vs. WA is a series I would like to see personally

by FinAdic on Jul 17, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions