2011-2012 San Jose Sharks Season Preview: Antti Niemi, Antero Niittymaki, and Thomas Greiss
by Mr. Plank on Oct 10, 2011 11:39 AM PDT
in Coaching From The Couch
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Well, the season has already started. So this isn't technically a preview. But with the 2011-2012 season already upon us, we sit down to today to round out our annual preview series and cover the most difficult position in all of hockey to truly understand-- goaltending. Antti Niemi, Antero Niittymaki, and Thomas Greiss are covered today.
Every installment in the series can be found here. Enjoy.
Antti Niemi
Expected Role: Starting Goaltender, Lousy Poker Player
After being signed by the Sharks late in the summer of 2010, Niemi came into San Jose with a lot of questions surrounding his game. The first question was whether or not he was as good of a goaltender as he displayed during the 2010 Western Conference Finals-- Niemi was brilliant in that series, but finished the postseason with a relatively average .910 SV% with the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The second question was whether he was a product of a stellar Hawks blueline, which was able to clean up the rebounds Niemi was prone to kick out into the middle of the ice.
Niemi did a lot to answer those questions in the second half of last season, starting 34 consecutive games down the stretch for the Sharks and putting in a performance that earned him the Sharks Foundation Player of The Year Award and a nod as Fear The Fin's illustrious second half Team MVP. Consider this-- after the Sharks broke out of their six game losing streak in mid-January, Niemi posted a .928 SV% and went 26-5-4. To say he was the catalyst for the team's turnaround is almost disingenuous, as Niemi was hands down the best player on the ice on many nights.
The postseason was a different story unfortunately, as Niemi struggled against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round. He performed much better against the Red Wings, nearly stealing game six in Detroit where he made 42 stops in a breathtaking performance, but struggled again against Vancouver. Sample size is clearly an issue here, as well as the fact that the Sharks play in front of him was mercurial throughout the postseason, but a .896 SV% and a 3.22 GAA in April and May was clearly not what San Jose expected out of him when they gave him a four year contract extension worth $15.2 MM in early March.
Essentially, Niemi is a goaltender who has been fairly inconsistent throughout his career-- looking at his 2010-2011 season as a whole, you had early season struggles, followed up by a period of utter dominance, followed up with more struggles. Since coming to the Sharks Niemi has vastly improved his glove hand and ability to control rebounds, a testament to his work with the Sharks goaltending staff during the year-- continuing to work on those things will be paramount this season for the Finnish netminder as he attempts to recreate the magic he displayed during the second half.
The biggest question for Niemi heading into the 2011-2012 season is whether he can stay consistent throughout the season. Playing in front of a vastly improved blueline will definitely help, as will his work with the Sharks goaltending coaches. The jury is still out on Niemi as an elite NHL goaltender, but as his second half last year will attest to, Niemi has the ability to ratchet up his play under pressure and provide excellent netminding for extended periods of time. Expect him to log a lot of minutes this year in between the pipes, as Sharks Coach Todd McLellan has consistently stated he feels Niemi is at his best when he is receiving a lot of ice time.
Antero Niittymaki
Expected Role: Backup Goaltender
Niittymaki's season last year ran in an inverse way to Niemi's-- a great start to the season fell off as the season progressed, and an injury sustained in the middle of the year kept him on the shelf for the vast majority of 2011. Complications with a lower body injury this offseason will lead Niittymaki to rehab for the first three months of the year, giving goaltender Thomas Greiss an opportunity to try and lock down a full-time role with the team.
A goaltender who also has the tendency to run hot and cold throughout the course of a season, Niittymaki is a stereotypical tandem netminder-- not quite good enough to shoulder 65 games played throughout a season, but more than able to play in back to backs and take the reigns when his partner is struggling in net. Good reflexes and strong positional play are a hallmark of Niittymaki's game; he challenges shooters more than Niemi, but lacks the strength down low with his pads that Niemi possesses.
The biggest question for Niittymaki heading into 2011-2012 is twofold. It remains to be seen how Niittymaki's injury will effect his play when he returns to the ice, as lingering issues can prove to be an issue for goaltenders. Furthermore, with Thomas Greiss making waves during the preseason and showing that he is able to handle NHL duty (as he was two years ago), Niittymaki's future with San Jose depends on how well Greiss plays and how quickly Al Stalock progresses in Worcester.
Thomas Greiss
Expected Role: Backup Goaltender
A favorite of Fear The Fin and our readers, Thomas Greiss is an extremely exciting goaltender to watch on every single night. Aggressive to a fault, Greiss plays the game with a kind of controlled chaos that results in some magnificent saves to go along with some frantic scrambles around the crease. He's quick from post to post and extremely agile as well, constantly challenging shooters at the top of his crease. This can leave him open to some backdoor plays or swift passing in the offensive zone, where Greiss' aggressiveness gets the best of him, but by and large his agility in net should be considered a plus.
During the Sharks home opener against the Coyotes, Phoenix Head Coach Dave Tippet evidently told his shooters to shoot high glove side, because Greiss was flashing leather all night. Two years ago when he played in San Jose I didn't see this as a primary issue for him, but as the season progresses, see if other opposing teams try and expose Greiss' glove hand when he gets the start.
The biggest question for Greiss during 11-12 will be whether or not he can lock down a full-time role with the team during the season. We're predicting he makes Niittymaki as the odd man out this year, as the Sharks vastly improved defensive corps should complement Greiss' aggressive style perfectly. If he struggles however, expect him to head to Worcester where he will platoon with a rehabbing Al Stalock.
Overall the Sharks have three legitimate NHL goaltenders at their disposal this season. Niemi is a lock to be the primary netminder throughout the year, but Niittymaki and Greiss are more than capable of handling backup duties and chipping in when called upon. Along with Al Stalock in Worcester, the Sharks vaunted goaltending depth will be a huge benefit to the team this year as well as into the future.
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Kind of an odd situation having 3 NHL ready guys. Once Niity gets healthy things are going to be very, very interesting.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
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Especially when you have the cap space to keep them
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by Evilducks on Oct 10, 2011 12:14 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
It is nice to have the cap space to carry 3 goalies, but if Niitty is able to come off IR and play in December/January, I don’t know that they’ll carry 3 goalies through the end of the year. Gonna be interesting to see what they do with this when the time comes.
by milanahalek on Oct 10, 2011 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe...
I truly believe that decision will depend on not only the health Nitty but also the health of Stalock. If Nitty can progress and get back to where he was and Stalock is doing well in the AHL, then I expect Nitty to be trade bait (maybe with a 3rd or 4th liner) for a 3rd or 4th liner and/or draft pick(s)…
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I don’t think the decision will have anything at all to do w/ Stalock as Worcester is in good hands now and will be in great hands once Sateri gets sent back.
However, I do think it’ll have everything to do w/ how Greiss plays. He’s been given a great opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL.
So since
no one sees Nitty staying with the team after this year, who does everyone see as the most likely back up between Greiss and Stalock? If Stalock is able to come back without any problems.
For next season..
No question, Greiss. Even if Stalock comes back 100% in Feb., he will have gone a year w/o playing and will need time in the AHL to get his game back.
These injuries have opened up huge opportunities for both Greiss and Sexsmith. Greiss needs to prove he’s ready to take on a back up / 1B role in the NHL and Sexsmith needs to prove he’s worth re-signing.
I have a feeling Sateri will take over the #1 job in Worcester very quickly and won’t give it up. I know I’ve said a lot, but to me, he’s the Sharks goalie of the future.
How soon
do you think it’ll be before Sateri fighting for the back up roll. 2 years?
This is his first full season in North America and it’s hard to determine how goalies might develop, but I’d bet he’ll be fighting for NHL time w/i 2 years.
Sexy put in a lot of work this summer and really impressed in camp at Worcester. I think Sateri will have a fight on his hands for that #1 spot. Eventually Stalock will return and smite them.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Oct 10, 2011 3:11 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
No doubt Sexy looks much better this year and will push him for that starting job – and, knowing the coaching in Worcester, wouldn’t surprise me to see them send Sateri to the ECHL…but the coaching at the AHL level is a discussion for another time.
Nitty is gone by the trade deadline if he returns with decent form from the injury, otherwise he’s scratched or just normal backup duties.
Griess is the Sharks backup next year for sure, he plays just as well as Nitty is and at a cheaper price, so the Sharks will be looking to dump Nitty’s higher salary onto a team that needs goaltending help by the trade deadline, even if they only get low picks for him.
Is the goalie coaching bad at the Woo?
by WhatsAMataHari on Oct 11, 2011 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions
No, the goalie coaches are very good throughout the org.
The management isn’t really doing a very good job and doesn’t really seem to care about the team a whole lot (IMO) and the head coach & asst coaches aren’t great.
I should point out...
That the GM for the WorSharks is also one of the 2 goalie coaches in the org.
I don’t mean to badmouth him or the AHL coaches, I just don’t think they’re doing a good job on the AHL side.
I motion for Niittymaki's expected role to include the nomming of many jerseys.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Seconded.
Need jersey nomming pics as well.
KEEP THE FAITH- GO SHARKS!
Bleeding teal and black all the way from NY since '91.
My vices include Hockey, Cars, and Rock N Roll- some of the finest things in life.
It is nice to see Greiss get his chance with us again. But what I would really like to see is Niemi get some Tank love as Nabby use to get. As much as I love Nabby, would like to see the fans embrace Niemi with some Nemo chants and let him know he belongs.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
by Angy on Oct 10, 2011 12:34 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I’ve been trying to start “Nemo” chants in the Tank since midway through last season, but no-one around me seems to join in. I love our resident Finnish clownfish but I think there’s still some bad blood around about the way he came in.
by Salmon of Wisdom on Oct 10, 2011 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I agree
My family and I had tried on numerous occasions to get a Nemo chant going to no avail. We’ll be in section 225 with our Shark Pak tickets, trying again this year.
I wasn’t about to start chanting “Ne-mo” until he won us a playoff series. You were too early.
by meetyourmako on Oct 10, 2011 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
it really comes down to graphics
if the SVSE staff puts NEMO on the screen people will chant it. So far as I know they havent down that yet.
GO SHARKS!
I suspect...
If he ever plays as well as Nabokov did over his tenure here, he’ll get some love. Right now, he’s just an inconsistent goaltender who took the fan favorite’s job from him and then bombed in the postseason. Hard to get overly excited for that.
Also, he’s been here one year. Nabby was here for 10. It takes time.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
I know it takes time – but I feel for the guy. And granted we didnt’ make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, but it wasn’t all due to him.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Of course it wasn't...
But an .896 sv% in the postseason will never, ever win a Cup. He has to be better…and until he is, he’ll never get the love Nabby got (who was amazing and cemented his spot with the fanbase before the lockout).
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
You know, Nabby was never really that great in the playoffs either. Nabby got love because of how long he played here, and because he was an excellent goaltender for most of that time. Except for the playoffs. 8^(
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
^ This.
See? I’m not crazy.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone agreeing with you doesn’t confirm that you aren’t crazy. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
Just to head off the inevitable here, I feel the same way about Nabby’s postseason play that I feel about most of the rest of the Sharks roster: they played well enough to ultimately lose.
Nabby was never the problem, exactly, but he was also never the solution. For every spectacular save he made that saved the Sharks bacon, there was an inopportune goal or softie that changed momentum the other way.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
The inevitable thing about the inevitable
Is that it’s inevitable
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They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
We couldn't score goals against the Edmonton Oilers, the Dallas Stars and the Anaheim Ducks
And before that, we were trying to beat Joe Sakic’s Avs and Mike Modano’s Stars.
I fail to see how that made Nabby mediocre.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
If we can only score 1 or 2 goals a game, our goalie better only let in 1. That’s a lot to ask, but it’s also what was asked of Cup winning goalies that were not nearly as talented as Nabby.
I honestly don’t think it’s fair to Nabby to say that he’s the single reason we lost all those series, but he also never shut anyone up with his play, so it’s fair to criticize.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I agree
he also never shut anyone up with his play, so it’s fair to criticize.
I’ll agree with that point, but the “argument” is that Nabby “bombed.” That, to me, is just an ignorant argument. Prior to the lockout, the Sharks went as far as Nabokov would carry them, because as much as we love them, Owen Nolan, Marco Sturm, Mike Ricci, Jonathan Cheechoo and pre-lockout Patrick Marleau were just not elite players who could allow the Sharks to take it to the next level. Nabby’s best years were spent in front of those teams.
After the lockout is pretty much the age of underachievement. I’d fault Nabby against the Ducks, but Toskola fell apart against the Oil, Marleau fell apart against the Red Wings, and we couldn’t score against the Stars. And the Blackhawks were just better top to bottom.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
If we can only score 1 or 2 goals a game, our goalie better only let in 1. That’s a lot to ask, but it’s also what was asked of Cup winning goalies that were not nearly as talented as Nabby.
I honestly can’t think of many goalies who meet this criteria in recent memory. I mean, okay, we can go Brodeur and Roy here and the like, but Nabby never had a defenseman infront of him the likes of Stevens, Niedermayer, Daneyko, a healthy and young Rob Blake, Foote, Chelios, etc.
But our losses are team loses. Nabby couldn’t score on the PP for us in the post-season, or win faceoffs, pretty key themes in all of our “chokes.”
So yes, he’ll invite criticism, but the blind hate that he gets from the likes of Puck Daddy is pretty unfounded.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Mike Vernon was not as talented as Nabby, but he won Cups with Calgary and the Wings. I think it was because he would raise the level of his play “situationally.” If his team was up by a goal, that’s when he would play his best.
Nabby always seemed the opposite, apart from 2004. Unfortunately, there were many, many times where the Sharks really needed him to absolutely shut the door, and the tying or go-ahead goal was scored. Robert Lang is the most obscene example.
Fleury is also not as talented as Nabby was. Nabby was also a much better goalie than Khabibulin. Cam Ward is arguable, but I’d give the talent nod to Nabby.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I'll concur on those
But none of those teams had the chronic inability to score that we suffer from. Their margin for error was not the razor blade that Nabby had to deal with. The Pens, the Bolts and the Canes also found ways to score.
Vernon’s heyday came in the pre-lockout NHL, and the talent level on his teams, well, fuggedaboutit.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
This is sort of a chicken-and-egg problem. The Canes and Bolts found ways to score (I’m throwing out the Pens, because Crosby is an all-time offensive talent), we didn’t. But another way of putting that is that they made the goals they did score count, which means their goalie matched their play.
I think I’ve said all I really can say about this. The bottom line is that Nabby had a lot of opportunities to be the anchor of a long postseason run, and I never felt he was at his best in those times.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I totally see that
And that’s fair criticism.
The bottom line is that Nabby had a lot of opportunities to be the anchor of a long postseason run, and I never felt he was at his best in those times.
That’s a perfectly legitimate position, and I think it leaves it at a good place.
I’d counter again with the issue of one of the NHL’s best offenses and power plays going completely dry at the worst time. Nabby may not have played BETTER in the post-season than the regular season, but he also never played clearly WORSE. The offense was the thing that changed in each case.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Yes exactly. However that led to losses because of Nabby’s almost guarenteed softie per game. If his softie rate was more like 10% instead of 95% many of those series would have been different even with a lower offense.
Maybe, but there’s no excuse for a sudden drop off in offense. It was ridiculously consistent (and still is, through last year).
I never really understood why people blamed him though. The D-core on this team has never been good, up until this season. And if the team in front of him isn’t helping him on the scoreboard? Well, then…
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Nabby couldn’t score on the PP for us in the post-season
Good call adding that qualifier.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
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by PNK on Oct 10, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, but you know, you’re wrong.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Maybe. Or maybe we just disagree on something that isn’t objectively verifiable.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
Nah, you're both wrong.
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
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You shouldn’t feel for him – the guys on the team absolutely loves him and I’m pretty sure that’s all he cares about.
We try to get chants going in our section too, it just hasn’t caught on…yet.
I’d chant for Stalock. Sigh…his injury claws away at my soul every day…
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
it takes time but I wouldn’t say Niemi bombed in the postseason. No one saw the last goal that kicked the team out and the defense was horrible in front of Niemi. I think there should be more interviews with Niemi after games and a one on one, once he gets back to talk about his mid season turn around last year and what he plans on doing this year. He’s not as flashy as Nabby so I think they’re gonna have to go with his personality. But the team’s gonna have to push the media to look for him since he seems pretty quite.
You say this as though Nabokov didn't comsistently bomb in the postseason...
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
And you say this as though he did
In a battle of credibility between you and Zero, well, not a battle really.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Did you watch the Sharks before the lockout...
Nabokov was THE ONLY reason the Sharks even made it as far as they did. That’s how you build a devoted following…consistent excellence.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Umm...
Okay, you must have been watching different games than I was, but alright.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
He was
He was watching Sharks hockey
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
He's on record as saying he hasn't seen much of the Sharks at all
And he’s a youngin’
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I watch every Sharks game in the playoffs.
Since they’re actually on TV. And I’ve BEEN watching every game ever since I discovered online streams last playoffs.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Excellent
Point out for me the part where Nabby bombed in the playoffs then? Or is having goal support near zero while your own GAA hovers around 2 suddenly bombing?
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Nabby’s best postseason, in 2004, was not coincidentally the Sharks longest run. His GAA was 1.71 and SV% was .935.
That was also the only postseason where his GAA was less than 2. His career postseason SV% is .914. Taking out that (awesome) year, his career SV% is .898.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I'd like to point out
that goalies aren’t ENTIRELY to blame or praise for their SV% and GAA.
It’s like saying that someone’s goal totals are a result of his own efforts entirely. Having an elite playmaker on your line feeding you the puck is like having an elite d-corps in front of you as a goalie.
Not saying they aren’t indicative at all, just that stats don’t tell the whole story.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
So why does toronto still have a following?
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
A few ways:
- Big hockey market.
- Wealthy fanbase that will always possess season tickets.
- Constantly touting each new team as bigger and better than before (looking true this year).
- Marketing (there was a series of giant billboards along the Gardiner Expressway, each with a player from the Leafs, eventually making up the whole roster).
- Original six-ness.
- Big hockey market.
- Not Atlanta.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
All of that was true of the Blackhawks before Bill Wirtz died, except that they stopped buying tickets.
Toronto has no alternatives to hockey, and no, the Blue Jays don’t count. In major US cities, hockey oriented or not, if you suck long enough they stop coming. Atlanta sucked their entire tenure there, it wasn’t that it was somehow too warm there.
Isn’t Ottawa having a hard time selling out these days?
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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Well...
There’s the Jays, Raptors, Argonauts and Toronto FC. Of those, the Jays are the only one that never sells out.
And Ottawa may not sell out every game, but they’re usually close. Plus I mean, tickets there are still expensive. If I remember right, the cheapest seats they have will run you like $80.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 8:09 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s only been a few years of suck for Ottawa, lets give them another 8 and see how attendance is doing.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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- Not Atlanta
It’s funny. I think you meant this post seriously. And then you do that…
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Even after the lockout, there were moments when he was the reason why the team made it as far as they did. People find it really easy to blame Nabby for the playoff losses, but his play was never a reason they’d win.
Double-edged sword. People just hate him, or love him.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Nabby was an outstanding goalie for us, and I appreciate everything he brought to this team. He helped push us to be an elite team, along with other guys like Ron Wilson and Dean Lombardi that are not universally loved by the fans. I don’t hate Nabby, and I don’t blame him exclusively for our lack of playoff success. But he, like Ron Wilson and Lomabrdi, had flaws that I think limited their ultimate success. Simple as that.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
Didn't
Mr. Plank or someone on here bring up in an article that Nabby had the worst save % or something out of all golies that have played in the playoffs in the last 10 years. Vaguely remember…?
I remember that too
although not the exact stats.
something about the sharks having consistently shit save % in the playoffs
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Nitty didn't exactly get that much love either
If Niemi remains consistent, I doubt it will be long before the Nemo chants start.
I think the issue for Niemi was so much of his good work last season was done in the second half of the season, which includes the long February road trip. I don’t think he had enough of those excellent games at home for the Tank to rally around him.
And seriously, he’s basically been a good goaltender for what effectively amounts to half a season. And in what was arguably the one of the team’s two biggest wins in that stretch, he was pulled. The Nabby chant had a decade of work, including a Calder trophy, a Power Play goal, a World Championship Medal, some epic games of ping pong with Jamie Baker, Happy Feet and The Save behind it.
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They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I still love Nabby and I really, really hope when he retires he gets a job w/ the Sharks as a goalie coach.
by milanahalek on Oct 10, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah
first year for both and the team sucked for the first half so I’m not surprised why chants haven’t caught on yet. I think they would have started Nemo if the team would’ve made it to the cup. With the new look team and Niemi now being here longer then a lot of the players on the team I can see the chants starting before the middle of the year.
I'd love to hear a "METH-SQUIRREL!" chant this year
Especially during a game on Versus, let those clowns explain that one on national TV.
The real terror of beholding sharks feeding is that that may be all there is to life.
Are you a shark, or a sheep? Sharks are winners and they don't look back, cuz they don't have necks. Necks are for sheep.
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by CloweMyWord! on Oct 10, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ha
As if they’d actually televise a game from the west coast.
The principal supporting business now is rage. -- Richard Hugo
With this Defense..
I fully expect Niemi to have 50 shutouts this season, anything less should merit a trade.
In all seriousness. Our goalies, wow man, just wow…
You know, its nice to have goaltending depth...
I’m just not sure its elite depth as much as it is serviceable depth. Niemi is solid, has stretches of being above average, but is wildly inconsistent with flashes of terribad. Niittymaki can be super solid if given enough starts and if he’s allowed to get in a groove…but its hard when he’s so fragile. Greiss might be our most talented goaltender, but really hasn’t gotten a legit shot yet, and is therefore, predictably inconsistent.
Honestly, in my opinion, goaltending is the Sharks’ biggest weakness as a team. However, with the defense DW has assembled, even serviceable goaltending should get the job done most of the time.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
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I really just want to see this team's fatigue factor managed in a more effective manner this year.
If TMac can finally rein in his starting goalie by spelling him, you know maybe every 6-7 games or so, instead of letting Nabby/Niemi/whoever go for an iron man streak, maybe they won’t be so inconsistent and tired come postseason.
I wouldn’t call it elite depth either. Boston, Vancouver, Washington, maybe even Los Angeles have more (proven) depth than SJ’s. But still, it’s nice to know that SJ has pretty solid goaltending options outside of Niemi.
BEAT DAT BEAT
Yeah, not running our goaltending into the ground would be very useful. And that’s where our serviceable depth should come into play.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Niittymaki is not better than Niemi. Never has been, never will be. Doesn’t matter how many starts he gets.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think I've ever heard it put that bluntly
And now that it has been, I’m not entirely sure I disagree with it.
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They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I’m really just over the “he needs starts” crap that gets brought up over and over. When Niittymaki was on his game, the top of his game you could say… maybe best he has ever been in an NHL season (I’m excluding his Olympic performance), was October of last year. Six games, with a .929 and a 1.87 GAA.
Compare that to Niemi’s 34 game stretch when he had to carry the team out of a slump that put them out of the playoffs. 34 games, .928 and under a 2.10 GAA. That’s not sample-size. That’s almost half a season.
Niittymaki didn’t post another month with above a .900 save percentage. He had his chance in November, with nine starts, and posted an .897. They had the same team in front of them.
I just simply don’t see what people see in Niittymaki that tell them he’s better than Niemi. Historically, recently, always, Niemi has been better.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I think a lot of people, myself included, hated signing him. We felt it fucked over Greiss and Nitty for a goalie that sucked in the playoffs and only won because he was behind a team that was basically 10M over the cap. He barely beat out Huet for the job His numbers sucked, his style sucked, he just sucked.
So, after deciding (with considerable evidence) that he sucked and announcing that to everybody, repeatedly, it’s very difficult for a human to eat crow and admit they were wrong about the guy. He didn’t exactly come in and blow us away, and the playoffs opened up that doubt again.
Still, he’s now, no contest, our best goalie… until the anointed one heals and returns.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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by Evilducks on Oct 10, 2011 3:30 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions
All Hail Our Stalock...
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
At this point too, I’m even thinking Greiss over Niittymaki even when he returns.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
To the "he needs starts" argument
I bring it up from time to time, but more in the context of McLellan’s decision to start Niemi 34 straight. I think that, when presented with the numbers, you’re entirely correct that Niemi’s theoretical ceiling, as well as his actual performance with us, show he’s the better netminder.
At this point, it’s basically academic though. Last season is over, and now, we have options in Greiss and the kids. Nitty’s time in teal is probably over. I think we should try and get something for him, instead of losing him for nothing.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I agree with you, but Niittymaki’s age an injury history make him a less than attractive option for teams looking to acquire a goalie.
I’m for giving the backup goalie more starts, but Niemi is the starter unless he loses it. Most of the “he needs more starts” crowd are for Niittymaki grabbing a good amount of starts in a row, which is not a good idea.
Most goalies in this league are inconsistent. We shouldn’t crucify Niemi for being the same.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Is his age/injury history going to be a deterrent with a $2M expiring contract?
Most goalies in this league are inconsistent. We shouldn’t crucify Niemi for being the same.
Entirely fair. But again, Niemi seems to have some chronic issues. His stance is awkward, his puck control is suspect, his puck tracking is slow, and his SH SV% is not good at all.
He deserves this fanbase’s respect for the way he saved our bacon last season, and for all the hard work he put in to improve his game. But he’s been given a long term contract at a price that appears to be disproportionate with his current skill level. I think it invites that sort of criticism, even if he hasn’t done anything other than just be a good teammate.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I disagree with the awkward stance and the puck tracking. It’s unorthodox… sure. But he gets down to the pads quick and has a nice glove.
The rebound controll (not just preventing them, but directing them) is a real issue he will have to deal with for the rest of his career. I’m going to chock up that SH SV% to the fact that the team PK was god awful last year, but even still, I’m not saying he can’t or shouldn’t get better.
The criticism, I think, stems from the contract and a bad playoff showing. This year will be huge for him if he wants to win some respect from the fans.
For me, it’s not “why do people hate Niemi”. I can see that. It’s “why do people like Niittymaki”. I just can’t see that.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I see the stance and puck tracking as being linked
They DO certainly help him take away everything low, but I think that, ESPECIALLY when the puck is behind the net, that stance keeps him from reading the play. To me, that also is one of the reasons his SH SV% is so bad. Our PK unit WAS bad last season, and gave away the high to low pass to easily, and when that happened, I felt as though Niemi was out of position a lot, and so the back door play, or a quick pass to the slot was open too much. It’s especially glaring compared to a decade of Nabokov, who was so athletic, and really read those sorts of plays very well.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
It’s a double edged sword. I’d rater have a guy like Niemi who blocks low (where most NHL goals are scored) and occasionally gives up the goal that would have taken an overly athletic save to make. Nabokov did make the crazy saves (part of why people loved him), but he was beat too often because of his size and small lower body.
And oh my god the fivehole. I still have nightmares.
#droptopadslookbehindpuckinthenetheadtiltsback
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh five hole...
I just hope Niemi’s inability to freeze a puck doesn’t reach five-hole proportions.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Hahaha
#droptopadslookbehindpuckinthenetheadtiltsback
I can picture that perfectly.
The horror! The horror!
by HeatersLeadingLady on Oct 10, 2011 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I see the Niitty obsession as very similar to when Boucher was the back-up; they are clear back-ups who do well in limited roles, but because they do well when they play, people want them to be played more in lieu of the starter who occasionally has bad games.
Plus, Niitty chews on his jersey when on the bench, which is hilariously awesome.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
The Helstinky Syndrome.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
My Nordic metal band, Hell Stinky, will be playing the basement of the rec center this Friday. All ages. Openers are Lapp Dance, Fjordgasm, and Ball Tick.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I should start a band called the Moss Cows.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Can my band, Queef Ericson get on that ticket?
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
You do know there is a Sharks game this Friday – right? My ass does not move from the tv when there is a game. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
How do you watch the game with your ass on the TV?
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
by ElvisVF101 on Oct 10, 2011 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
Good question!
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Excuse me!
Can I ass you a few questions?
Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012
UGH! That’s what I get for answering too quickly and not paying attention. :)
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
We're Sharks
There is no mercy
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They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I thought it was Stockholm, Finland
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Fear the Finn.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
*hangs head in shame*
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I have a few times.
I even own it. But I don’t recall that line.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s when the news broadcast has the expert talk about kidnappings, and he described the “Helsinki Syndrome,” which is a parody of Stockholm Syndrome. The newscaster tries to become involved by informing the viewers that it’s referring to Helsinki, Sweden. The expert quickly corrects him, saying, “No, Finland.”
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
I got the joke
I am just 7 hours late to the conversation
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Phoenix could be a potential destination of Niitty if it does come to him being traded, as the Smith-LaBarbera tandem isn’t looking too hot thus far.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
But they’ll probably be out of the playoffs by then. Why give up assets for an expiring deal if you could probably get him in the offseason?
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
This sounds like a Stars-Richards problem
Do you ASSUME you’re going to be out and deal accordingly, or do you roll the dice and take a risk on a deal (or no deal in the Stars case) to push FOR the playoffs?
With Phoenix being in the division, I don’t see them as a likely trade partner, because we have no incentive to make them better.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I think it’s going to take an injury to a starter on a playoff team for anyone to have real interest in Niittymaki. The return is probably going to be a pick in the 2-4 range.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions
And that seems pretty decent
Any chance we could get a legitimate AHLer? I still have my irrational concerns about offensive depth in Worcester.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I think a team in this situation would be more willing to give up a pick, and I think the Sharks would rather take the pick.
I doubt you get above a fringe prospect for Niittymaki.Take the pick and roll the dice with the Sharks above average draft history.
While I type that, though, the Isles got Wishart for Roloson, and Wishart is a decent prospect. Albeit on the outs.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Plus, this draft is supposed to be pretty damn deep, so more picks is a good thing.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
That's right
Last years was the not so good one, hence we didn’t mind the first for Burns.
Okay, I’m on board with a pick for Nitty.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
The Nittypick if you will
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I doubt a middling, oft-injured goaltender could get a 2-4th round pick.
Maybe a 7th, which, of course, will lead to the next Pavelski or Demers…so sign me up!
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not sure I ever said Niitty was better that Niemi. I’m pretty sure that I said we didn’t have any elite goaltenders. I’m also pretty sure I said that Niitty is better when he gets into a groove (as opposed to getting one start every 2 months), and that Niemi is wildly inconsistent (which is true). Of course, every time Niemi had a horrific outing, Niitty came in and shut the door for us and did a great job…so its not like he’s a total waste of space. And, ultimately, I’m pretty sure I said that Greiss might be the most talented of the 3, which would mean I’d agree Greiss could take the full time backup spot from Niitty this year while he’s out.
To that end, I’m not sure your reply to me makes much sense overall as a reply to me…but it seems to have started quite the conversation, so well done on that one.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure you did and didnt’ say alot of things. :)
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Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
It seems pretty heavily implied that you think Niittymaki (when healthy) is better than Niemi. I mean you didn’t throw around words like inconsistent and “terribad” when describing Niitty lol.
Terribad isn't even a word!
I just expect more from Niemi, given his contract, and everything he’s been handed by the organization.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions
I gotta say
I was against the contract extension last season, and then he played lights out the rests of the reg season so I took it back, and then he had the playoffs he did, and I kind of wish we had waited until the offseason and gotten him a lower rate.
oh well, probably wouldn’t have worked out perfectly and it would have been another signing to make.
i do love having the core locked up…
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
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Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
I’m sorry.
Didin’t mean to be overly harsh, was just trying to be blunt. The way you described each, though, implied you thought more of Niittymaki than Niemi.
The inconsistency? I think all goalies are that way and it’s a factor of the position. Niemi has his ups and downs but “wildly inconsistent” implies it’s a game by game or week by week shift. His 34 games of dominance dispel that notion, IMO.
Lastly, I haven’t seen this “get into a groove” thing from Niittymaki save the first mont of last year, but it’s a common argument that always seems to pop up and it frustrates me.
Again, apologies for being so harsh in my earlier comment.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 11, 2011 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions
This is only Niemi's third year as a starting NHL goaltender.
He also has clearly improved aspects of his game and has displayed the work ethic to continue improving and become more consistent. Also, the Sharks defense last year was suspect to say the least and in the playoffs Demers was out for the last series. Point being, I think the jury is still out on Niemi.
"We just feel more certain assurance of success when all that's written is written against us. When honey words of praise are flowered upon us that we begin to feel exposed before our enemies." - Jim Harbaugh
by SanFranciscoKnights on Oct 10, 2011 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions
It may be only Niemi's third year as a starter
But he’s also 27, so he’s not exactly a prospect either.
But I’ll take a 27 year old with a work ethic over a prospect without one.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
But I’ll take a 27 year old with a work ethic over a prospect without one.
Ahhh, Lukas Kaspar, somehow it always comes back to you.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
27 is still relatively young for a goalie, no?
I just think that the (inconsistent) greatness he showed us last year, combined with the fact that he is still showing improvement and will have a much more solid defense in front of him makes me believe that he will be very, very solid this season and beyond. One man’s opinion though.
"We just feel more certain assurance of success when all that's written is written against us. When honey words of praise are flowered upon us that we begin to feel exposed before our enemies." - Jim Harbaugh
by SanFranciscoKnights on Oct 11, 2011 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Goalies do take longer
But most of the “young” goaltenders in the league developed a good deal sooner than that. I think Niemi has taken a bit longer than some of his peers.
But yes, he should be even better this season. While he still has flaws, there’s no reason to believe he won’t improve.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Well he also started a lot later than most of his peers. Remember Niemi was driving Zambonis at an ice rink 6 years ago before he jumped into pro hockey in the Finish league.
Niemi won the Stanley Cup in his first year playing in the NHL, and then went to the conference finals in his sophomore year, so i don’t know if it’s fair to say Niemi is a slow learner or that he’s taken longer to develop than his peers.
I think I’d end up taking Greiss over Nitty.
Nemo is the obvious number 1(a?), but with both Greiss and the oft-injured Nitty on standby, I’d expect to see Niemi get in fewer starts.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
At this point
I’d like to see Sateri get some NHL time. Would probably prefer him over Nitty in the long run.
The team style, however, seems to see them play better when playing in front of Nitty/Greiss’ style of goaltending than Nemo’s style of goaltending. Nemo needs glove practice, and rebound control, still, even after ending last regular season with a bang.
If you mention ending your life, or show signs of self-harm, I will take you seriously!
"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. (paraphrased)
"He doesn't miss many of those!" --Randy Hahn
Shameless plug for my music.
I think it's unfair to say Niemi will be a lousy poker player
If anything, his tenure here has proven he’s one of the hardest working guys on the ice. I think his bad poker face is akin to his rebound problems. He just has to work on it. And heck, he was a Blackhawk, so you have to figure some of Jonathan Toews’s epic pokerface has to rub off on him at some point.
As for the serious matters, there are a few harsh realities about the netminding. Nitty’s contract is up at the end of the season. If the Sharks decide some combination of Niemi and Greiss plus all the kids in Worcester and elsewhere are the future, I would like to see Nitty traded. For one, he was nothing but professional about having Niemi brought in, and he was nothing but good for us. The guy deserves his shot at a true starter’s gig, and I have to imagine there’s a ton of teams out there who would love to have a guy like him working with their young goaltenders in a tandem. Second, why let him walk and get nothing in return? If nothing else, having another draft pick to work with, or getting a prospect for a fairly depleted Worcester squad would be nice.
But if Wilson decides he IS going to resign Nitty (something I’m certainly not opposed to), then there’s a fairly more serious decision to be made. I’d say trading Niemi is extremely unlikely, but, after seeing Seto traded one day after signing a contract, nothing seems extreme anymore. If Greiss is traded, it’s hopefully a signal that we see Niemi/Nitty are going to be able to carry us until Stalock or someone else is ready.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
So while we're on the status of Sharks goalies...
What happened to Nabokov? I noticed he’s not the starting goalie in New York (that job’s in Al Montoya’s hands), so what’s the deal? Is he injured? Did he not make the starting job? Is he still being a pouty baby and refusing to play for the Isles?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
Last I heard, the Islanders are trying to trade him…
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
Member of FearTheFin's Mod Squad and The Knights Who Say NI-emi...
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Oct 10, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
I heard Florida's in need of a goalie.
Oh wait, I forgot, he wants to be guaranteed a cup this year.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Florida signed Theodore, didn't they?
Don’t think they need another goaltender.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
They have Theodore and Clemmenson.
But that’s really like having two backups… Theodore hasn’t really been a starter since his time in Montreal. A starting goalie’s probably still a priority for them. Though now that I’ve said that, Florida IS leading the Southeast right now. ;D
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Didn’t Theodore start in Washington?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
For a little bit yeah. I think he won Masterson that year..
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I loved Nabby
when he was on the team but after so many chances in the playoffs I don’t see how people can still like him after the attitude he’s been showing.
Refer back to the decade in teal
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Easily.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
They aren’t trying to trade him – they just have alot of goalies. Only been two games. Of course, if Montoya does well – then who knows.
GO SHARKS!
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" -- Benjamin Franklin (see profile for more info on this quote)
There is always phoenix
Mike Smith and Jason Lebarbera are not something to cheer about
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Curious
Is there any chance you guys would bring Nabby back in a backup/fan favorite role? Is the situation fluid enough now, or would it require an injury?
I think we're just too stocked in net
Bringing Nabby back would shut out the young guys from a fair look in net. And, sadly, his best days are behind him. Nabby’s game is about reflexes, and his are slowing with age.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Hmmm
I would say any goalies game is about reflexes. As far as Nabby was concerned I had always thought of him as a positional goalie who relied on reflexes as a secondary.
Nitpicking, i know, but thats the way I always saw his play.
GO SHARKS!
Thanks
I figured as much. We Islander fans figure he’s going to end up being moved at some point (although DiPietro’s concussion may change that), but it’s unclear who, if anyone, wants him. :)
Tavares is Tavares.
Our goaltending situation is even trickier than last year
We have so many goalies in our system that it’s hard to determine exactly what will happen down the stretch.
I have to say that for sure, Nitty won’t be back next season due to his injuries and our already stacked goaltending depth. I expect that by the time he comes back from his injury in December, our goaltending situation should pretty much be set (meaning we have clearly established our starter and backup). I’m not sure DW would trade him until the deadline, but I don’t know what we might get in return.
We don’t know how much longer Nemo is going to be out. In the meantime, Greiss is our number one guy and it makes perfect sense right now, considering he is on top of his game and it could take weeks before Nemo is back on top of his. I’m glad Nemo was given an extension but I’m not sure I would have set his contract at a cap hit of $3.8 million at four years. You have to go with the one on a hot streak.
There is something special about Stalock (not sure exactly what it is though) that really makes me believe he is the future of our home-grown goaltending. I got to think he will make his first official start not long after he is back on the ice playing again. He seems to be recovering very quickly; I saw a video on Worcester’s YT channel showing his rehab skating sessions. Maybe doctors will clear him to start playing earlier than originally anticipated.
What do you guys see happening with our goaltending situation?
Let's juice up a large Sumo wrestler and plug the net.
The building of calluses will be important because of the limit on equipment size. I have very little else to offer here. Aside from this, I like Griess over Nitty as a backup to Nemo.
derp.
STOP LISTENING TO KNBR!
NO MORE SUMO GOALIE!!!!!!!
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I don’t listen to that station, or any station for that matter. Just a snarky monday comment while I wait for Friday.
derp.
Friday?
7am, waking up in the morning, gotta get fresh, gotta go downstairs.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh good
So you’ve been spared Razor and Mr. T. But anytime they have anyone even vaguely hockey related on, Mr. T always asks about Sumo Goalie.
One time, I think Heatley’s first interview made Puck Daddy’s links, and there was much mockery over Mr. T asking about Sumo Goalie.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I really like Tolbert
but yeah, totally on board about his sumo goalie bit. It’s almost as tired as Purdy’s “OBLT” line.
Anyone been listening to 95.7? I know Brodie has a gig there now, but still havent heard too much hockey talk this season (yet). Wondering if it’s worth the effort.
BEAT DAT BEAT
Plank and I are starting a public access TV show/pirate radio station to quench demand of the masses.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 10, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Discustingly goooood ^^^
"Now your gunna get it Bobby" -Happy
Will Harris San Jose - Sacramento
by will_hunter23 on Oct 10, 2011 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
That's a real thing?
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
it’s an old SNL commercial spoof, I think Will Ferrell was in it. There’s one on YouTube but its a copy. Kinda wanted to post the original and settled for what I could find. You got a real thirst? Chug this shit.
derp.
I hate NBC so much.
They’re nothing short of aggressive about getting all their content off the internet. There’s literally no way to watch the original seasons of Law & Order without buying them season by season (with a pricetag of $80+, no less). The worst part is telling someone about this hilarious SNL skit you saw, but being unable to find it.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, didn't mean to say you were bad. :P
I was telling my girlfriend about the Cowbell sketch with Christopher Walken, and I couldn’t find it through Google or anything. Had to use another search engine just to find it… Hence why I hate Google. Slave to the machines, and so-such.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Is Hulu not accessible in Canada?
Also, most of their programming is on Netflix Instant.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
No, it's not.
I can use a proxy to get on Hulu, but everything on there costs money now. Also, we have Netflix, but it doesn’t have anywhere near the library that the US has.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions
How's that?
Isn’t it all on the same server online? Why would it make a difference where you are?
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
Copyright bullshit.
I don’t know the legal jazz behind it, but unless it’s on TV or on a DVD, American TV and movie companies are insanely protectionist about their material entering international cyberspace. Basically, anything you guys can watch for free online, we can’t. We can’t even get our full use out of Netflix. We don’t get free last.fm on our 360’s. It’s horrible. These guys don’t seem to be on board with this “globalization” thing.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 10, 2011 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Every country is ridiculously territorial about broadcasts made in their country using their money to create. If there was anything on CBC worth watching it would be hard to get broadcast here. Fortunately, nobody in the US wants to bother with Degrassi. The Brits are also prickly about what gets broadcast where, but at least they make good stuff.
You want to bitch about your lack of TV options, how about Canada gets around to actually making a series worth watching besides HNIC and it’s semi-racist jingoist commentator for analysis? You seem to think Canada does everything better anyway.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Tweet Tweet
You seem to think Canada does everything better anyway.
No no no! Don’t you see! He’s just offering a counterpoint for the purposes of promoting discussion!
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
by ElvisVF101 on Oct 11, 2011 1:44 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
There's actually quite a few Canadian shows airing down there.
Just for Laughs Gags (which is called “Just For Laughs” down there)
Flashpoint
Todd and the Book of Pure Evil
And those are just the ones I can think of off-hand. I’m sure there’s more. See, MOST of our programming is American. What I don’t get is why Netflix doesn’t have the same material that our TV stations do. It doesn’t make sense.
As for your “semi-racist” crap, there’s no need to label my country like that based on the words of one guy (who really isn’t even racist, just senile). Canada makes plenty of good TV and movies. I’m sorry I couldn’t be part of the American super-race, but I’m rather glad I wasn’t raised a xenophobe like yourself.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m sorry I couldn’t be part of the American super-race, but I’m rather glad I wasn’t raised a xenophobe like yourself.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!
First of all, I haven’t heard of any of those shows.
Second of all, I haven’t really noticed any xenophobia, but tbh, I have noticed a fair amount of jingoism coming from your side of the conversation.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
A. I didn’t label the whole country based off one guy, I labeled one guy.
B. " What I don’t get is why Netflix doesn’t have the same material that our TV stations do. It doesn’t make sense."
No, you already explained why Netflix doesn’t do that, and it’s because of evil Americans…
“I don’t know the legal jazz behind it, but unless it’s on TV or on a DVD, American TV and movie companies are insanely protectionist about their material entering international cyberspace.”
“These guys don’t seem to be on board with this "globalization" thing.”
So shove it. You don’t like us, I don’t get why you follow an American team and comment with a bunch of us insane Americans anyway.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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American corporations =/= American people.
And besides. Not ALL American media companies are like this. Just a few. And especially NBC.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
This is hardly the only example of you ripping on Americans. It’s just part of the continued trend. While I usually don’t mind ripping on Canadians in return, it does get very tiresome.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Tweet Tweet
Muffin.
Learn to takes jokes and criticism. I don’t attack Americans, but I do talk about them. It’s all in good spirits.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Muffin.
Learn to takes jokes and criticism. I don’t attack Americans, but I do talk about them. It’s all in good spirits.
You think Evilducks doesn’t know how to take a joke? If your “humor” is beyond him, it might not actually be humor.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
by ElvisVF101 on Oct 11, 2011 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Guys… do we have to get into this kind of stuff in every thread? Killin me haha.
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 11, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Clearly an SNL reference was enough to start this rant!
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!
You can't get SNL in Canada though
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I will make sure to never mention something that will somehow relate back to Canada.
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!
In my defense
He started it!! :)
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Tweet Tweet
they do make recent episodes of their shows available.
I’ve been without TV for a while so I watch The Office (yeah I know it sucks now, but I’ve made my investment and I’m seeing it through til the end) and Parenthood (I really like this show) online every week.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
Brodie Brazil’s show is on Sunday at 10-12. I listened to the first one last Sunday and it seems pretty cool. It’s a call-in show so that should be interesting, especially when the crazies call!
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
Fear The Fin's Fifth-String Moderator !!
Griess
really does have a soft chest. I understood that he’s good at not giving up rebounds but, when you actually see the puck bounce off his chest it’s looks like the puck is hitting baby powder and just gently falls right in front of him. Griess over Nitty for now but I’ll wait till Nitty gets back to see.
Hey, something seems familiar here!
GREISS FOR VEZINA
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Oct 10, 2011 9:23 PM PDT reply actions 5 recs
let Niittymaki take the season off
No sense in rushing him back if Griess & Niemi are doing well
Go Big or Go Home
not to mention Niitty being out frees up about 1.5 million in cap space
DW, work thy magic!
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
I don't exactly see Nitty willingly sitting out the whole season once he recovers
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
I don’t either – also, once he’s cleared (healthy), he has to be added to the active roster. The team can’t just leave him on IR because they feel like it.
Well, they could do what they did to that one goalie last year…
What was his name?
Fear the Fin: "I've always said that if you don't have the motivation within you... It's not Doug Wilson's job to motivate me. I've got motivation within myself, especially going through some of the experiences that I had last year." - Nick Petrecki
by Matthew_Taylor on Oct 11, 2011 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Except
That’s cap circumvention, against the rules completely, and can cost the Sharks future cap space and picks as punishment from the league if we even try it.
When they’re healthy they come off of LTIR. Obviously something was wrong last year or Nitty wouldn’t have had to undergo surgery to fix it once and for all.
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
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I has a quick question.
With niitty out and greiss in, that frees up ~1.5 million in cap space yes? If DW is going to make a move of some sort, what should be addressed?
I ask because I have no idea giving the roster a once over.
What would you like added to the team?
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Shane Doan.
"I love inside jokes. I'd love to be apart of one someday." - Michael Scott
My pathetic excuse of a Twitter account: http://twitter.com/santacruzsharks
by tealstherealdeal92 on Oct 11, 2011 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions
We are a bit thinner than last season at forward
But I think the kids may yet stick on the roster. We’ll have to see how they fare against the likes of Chicago, Detroit, Vancouver and LA.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
We’ll have to see how we fare against a team not names the “Coyotes”.
"Logan Couture is a dirty, filthy man. Tell all your friends" - Mr. Plank
Welcome to the NHL, Atlanta Thrashers of Winnipeg.
Sharks go 82-0.
:D
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Thats what we are on track for...
and Desi is going to be in the running for the Hart.
Keep it real... Keep it fresh... Keep it real fresh ~SLNC
Picklesnake 2011-2012
Cap Space
Niitty (and Sheppard) being on LTIR does not “free up” cap space. All it does is allow the Sharks to exceed the cap, if they have to.
Right now, the Sharks have $1.9mil in cap space. I don’t think they will make any kind of move at all (unless there’s a major injury or the team just falls off the rails) for a few months. The team has to be able to absorb Niitty & Sheppard’s cap space and roster spot when they come off of LTIR.
As ED explained it to me
depending upon how much cap space you have when you place the players on LTIR you may or may not even get that “cushion.”
For example, if you have $4M in cap space and place a $4M player on LTIR, you get no extra cushion, if you have $3M in cap space and place a $4M player on LTIR you get a $1M cushion, and if you have NO cap space and place a $4M player on LTIR, you get the full $4M cushion.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
Ya, I was part of that conversation…
Was just trying to point out that players on LTIR don’t free up any cap space without getting into how LTIR works.
Ok
gotcha.
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club
"The only crying allowed in hockey is when you lose a playoff series, retire or JR is speaking publicly." - Jamie Baker
"You are down with the homies, my friend." - Randy Hahn
Kent Huskins cares.
"Don't fart on my chair mutha fuckah!" - Randy Hahn
"Pavs with great feed but what a release by Wingels Peanut Butter Baby!"" - Jamie Baker
Why is
Mclaren still on the active roster? I thought he was fine once training camp was over. Or was he the healthy scratch for the season opener?
One thing to remember about Niemi
is that this will still be only his 2nd full NHL season. Which means he has about as much NHL experience as Logan Couture. Just some perspective.
Actually now that I looked it up...
Logan Couture has played in more NHL games than Niemi. Crazy.
by BillytheSid on Oct 10, 2011 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Again though
Niemi is 28. Logan is 22.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Thomas was in his 30’s before he ever made it to the NHL… just sayin’
"Douglas Murray is a humongous human being." – Drew Remenda
Tweet Tweet
puck stopping robots take a little time to get working properly
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
I never even connected that.
Wow!
Brian Wilson on what kind of interesting clothing he'll wear to the White House: "...or what I DON'T wear."
by SharkMonster on Oct 12, 2011 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions
So do Kent Huskins and Nic Wallin :P
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
The Sharks
should be playing tonight damnit! I don’t see Niemi playing until they go out on the road next Friday. Havlat, who knows? I’m not expecting to see either until at least next Friday. Greiss, Wingels and McGinn can handle it. But I can’t wait to see what Havlat can do with Clowe/Couture and the PK.
If his skating is as advertised
It should be exciting. With Clowe on puck retrieval duty, and Couture making plays, it should open up tons of ice for him to do what he does best.
GO SHARKS!
They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn
Changing signatures is for suckers.
What Jay Leach is to the San Jose Shark's Defense, I am to Fear The Fin's Mod Squad.
Clowe/Couture/Havlat kick a lot of ass in NHL12. So in real life i expect nothing less than success.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
He is SOOOO fast
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
Nah, man.
Havlat has scored 16 goals, including two hat tricks, with Thornton and Marleau on my franchise. (Currently at the beginning of December). Pavelski wasn’t doing anything on the top line after two games so I put Havlat there, and the chemistry between he and Patty has been spectacular.
Video games.
Better than professional coaching staff.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
"Those of you who volunteered to be injected praying mantis DNA, I have some good news and some bad news: bad news is we've postponed these test indefinitely. Good news is we've got a much better test for you: fighting an army of mantis men! Pick up a rifle and follow the yellow line. You'll know when the test starts."
by Evil Stanchion on Oct 11, 2011 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
You betcha
it is in video games where I can trade a fossilized Dan Boyle + a late 1st for drew doughty. Still in disbelief that that trade was accepted.
"Duh duh... duh duh... duh duh... Salsa shark! We're gonna need a bigger boat! Man goes into cage, cage goes into salsa. Shark's in the salsa. Our shark." - Randall Graves
The Lone Niclas Wallin Fan
My favorite trade in a video game was in nba 2k8
Lebron James straight up for Jason Richardson.
I wasnt taking the talks seriously, yet they wanted the great J-Rich for Bron Bron. blew my mind
Flem: "Tim are you enjoying the party?"
Timmy: "That would be a fair assumption."
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