2012 NHL Trade Deadline: Why The Rick Nash Frenzy Opens Up More Space For Sharks To Work With
by Mr. Plank on Feb 15, 2012 3:00 AM PST
in Armchair GM
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Doug Wilson is probably the most confidential and tight to the vest General Manager in the sport. Year after year you'll hear players bandied about in the media as guys who could be booking their flight to San Jose, and year after year he'll come up with something so far off that radar you didn't even see it coming.
It's almost reached the point where if you hear a guy mentioned in a trade rumor you can cross him off the Sharks list. Part of that has to do with bargaining power, part of that has to do with price, and part of that has to do with adding to the current roster without subtracting a significant piece. They're all part of the clusterfuck of emotions that thrive around the deadline and they all weigh heavily on the deals Mr. Wilson likes to make.
With that in mind we approach the recent news that Rick Nash was placed on the trading block yesterday in some form or another. Whether that means Howson is listening to deals, actively pursuing deals, or sitting back in his chair while the text messages roll in from around the country is anybody's guess.
It certainly seems like a rash move from here-- with Nash locked up for six more years there shouldn't be a rush to make a decision, especially with a potentially lame duck GM and a small list of teams that Nash would be willing his No Movement clause for (made even slimmer with the amount of cap space teams have to work with)-- but rationality and due diligence are unfortunately not something Columbus has been known for over the past 10 years.
In terms of the price that should be paid for such a stellar and impressive player, I think Doug from Dudes on Hockey really hits the nail on the head. Any deal involving Nash starts with Joe Pavelski and moves on from there, with young roster player sweeteners being added the further down the rabbit hole you get. The Sharks have the cap space to land Nash right now, and probably could make things work next offseason with some creativity, but it's not exactly the move I envision him making with a playoff run upcoming. It feels like an offseason play for the Sharks signed, sealed, and delivered right before the dawn of training camp, not one made at this stage of the year with a bidding war in flames.
Nash's 6 year contract at a $7.8 MM cap hit adds further murkiness to the situation, especially with cash (not cap) assets tied up in players like Martin Havlat, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns, Patrick Marleau, and Dan Boyle over the next two years. It's easy to forget that this is a business as well as a sport, something that is forsaken in the pursuit of juicy rumors this time of year, and Nash's contract (while worthy of his talents) is one that comes with a price burden San Jose may not be willing to bear.
Long story short? Wilson would have to come up with nothing short of a miracle to make his pitch stick if Howson plays his cards right, meaning you're giving up at least two current roster players in the process and taking on a big-money contract in the process. That is something I don't think fits his MO right now, and while I'd love to think his ability to fleece opposing GM's is something that could overcome these aforementioned barriers, he's a marathon runner who likes to avoid as many hurdles as possible.
And I think the Rick Nash hullabaloo just cleared his way to the finish line.
As we mentioned earlier, one thing Doug Wilson likes to do is avoid bidding wars and target players who can be had on the cheap. With the rest of the League's contenders focused on Nash (and subsequently in a holding pattern with their other deals considering the salary complications), this opens up a wealth of opportunities for San Jose to pick from amongst NHL sellers. These players are cheaper, are able to be acquired quicker, and don't pose long-term salary complications for the team.
Specifically I'm looking at Ales Hemsky, Paul Gaustad, Adam Burish, Ray Whitney, Brad Boyes, and P.A. Parenteau. Players who bring specific tools to the table, are reasonably priced, and most importantly all carry the UFA tag with them heading into the offseason.
Hemsky is clearly the most intriguing name on the list, and while the injury-prone winger has had his share of ailments as of late, he's a player which fits exactly what the San Jose Sharks should be looking for-- a top line playmaker with hands of gold who can push a healthy Havlat down to the third line to increase San Jose's scoring depth while setting the table for Couture and Clowe put pucks into the net. Adding the smooth skating forward up front is something that would really help San Jose's second line in the transition game, and with great underlying metrics to go along with his scoring ability, he's a guy our resident stats heads love as well.
The only downside to Hemsky is his injury history, and with San Jose already dealing with a significant one to Havlat, there might be some more trepidation there than there would be normally. I think with the projected cost of Hemsky's services however (young defenseman + a pick/prospect) that's a gamble Wilson would be willing to take-- he singlehandedly solves all of the issues San Jose has up front and gives the Sharks three legitimate scoring lines with defensive ability.
Next on the list of prototypical top-six scorers is Ray Whitney, who Sharks fans will fondly remember from his time in teal during the beginning of his career. At the age of 39 Whitney may not jump out at you as an impact player, but his underlying metrics have continued to remain in the upper echelon compared to his teammates as he continues to pile up points in the twilight of his career. He isn't the dynamic player Hemsky is, but he fits the needs of San Jose all the same-- a player who could slot into the second or third line, be responsible defensively, and help ease the burden off the Sharks top players when it comes to producing in the spotlight.
Both Hemsky and Whitney's availability depends on contract negotiations and, in the case of Whitney, Phoenix's playoff hopes. In my opinion both get moved before the deadline.
In a perfect world you acquire either Hemsky or Whitney and then parlay your remaining assets to acquire one of the aforementioned Gaustad, Burish, Boyes, or Parenteau. I'm a big fan of what Gaustad can bring to the table (Matt and I wrote an article about him here), and have been a long-time admirer of Adam Burish who would slot in oh so perfectly on the Sharks third line and carry the load on the penalty kill and give them a rugged player who is counted on year after year to do the heavy lifting in the defensive zone.
This past offseason we looked at the prices teams were paying for these types of third line players, coming to the conclusion that San Jose didn't have to rush anything in the early going as they would be able to land guys for cheap at the deadline. Although Parenteau might cost you a bit more than what is shown here, the assets going out for San Jose aren't going to break the bank.
You can toss Mike Knuble (who we covered on Monday) and Travis Moen (a rumor I don't think has much validity but has been mentioned by others) into this pot of players with low cost:
With a poorer than expected draft class coming this year, and San Jose extremely proficient at finding value players late in the draft, there's no doubt Wilson will be looking to move out picks and prospects while retaining the core of his team.
History is on his side in this regard, and with Whitney and Hemsky flying under the radar as teams line up for Rick Nash, I have a feeling Doug Wilson has the League right where he wants it.
Now watch him go out and land Nash for Niittymaki and a third.
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unless I'm dumb
It doesnt make much sence to trade pavelski and a bunch of other stuff for Nash. Nash is 18g 21a -22 and has a 7.8m cap hit for 6 years. Captin America has 22g 22a +15 and cap hit of 4mil
A straight trade doesn’t seem to make sence to me
by Justboo on Feb 15, 2012 6:11 AM PST via iPhone app reply actions
I don’t want to get rid of Pavelski too but do note that Nash’s numbers are what they are because of the team he plays for as well. Columbus is worse than bottom of the barrel.
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It's funny
when good players play for bad teams one of two arguments invariably gets made:
Either 1) He plays for a bad team, if he played for a good team his numbers would be higher. OR 2) He’s the best player on a bad team, so his stats are inflated because he’s the one doing all the work. On a good team with fellow stars he’d put up less points because he wouldn’t be doing all the work.
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by PNK on Feb 15, 2012 8:47 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I think good or bad teams affect the ratio of goals/assists. On a better team, given the same ice time, he should get more points, maybe fewer goals.
by meetyourmako on Feb 15, 2012 4:03 PM PST up reply actions
while i agree that Nash's numbers would be beter
Playing with jumbo , I highly dout they would double, to coincide with his cost.
by Justboo on Feb 15, 2012 9:15 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Shouldn’t a truly great player be able to make those around him better? Nash has exhibited zero ability to do so. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player, there’s just no real evidence that he’s worth that contract going forward.
by The Neutral on Feb 15, 2012 11:59 AM PST up reply actions
The team is
just getting over Heatley and still has to figure out how Havlat is gonna work out or what to do with him. It’s to soon for a mega deal. I’d like to see a much stronger prosect pool in the next few years. And not see anymore mega deals until the end of Patty, Jumbo and Boyle’s contracts start to come up. Unless NSH takes Boyle for Suter and CHI takes Thorton for Towes.
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by raphelo on Feb 15, 2012 11:50 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Nash doesn't make sense to the Sharks because Wilson does his best work
when he’s not openly competing with dozens of other teams. Wilson probably crossed it off his wish list when Columbus publicly announced he was on the block.
I don’t see the Sharks making two moves. They’ll make one, and Havlat himself will be the 2nd “deadline deal.”
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
What about David Jones from Colorado?
I’ve seen some rumors about him going to SJ.
He’d be a good pickup. Not sure what it’d cost to re-sign him, though.
Where’d you hear this rumor?
by IsThisTheYear? on Feb 15, 2012 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
I actually really like Parenteau...
He’s a smooth skater with real point scoring acumen. He’ll get you around .75 PPG, and could push Havlat down to the 3rd line (which replaces Mitchell there…which would be a great thing, IMO). I think he’s exactly the player that could turn our offensive core into a real, terrifying threat. However, he probably won’t help with the PK at all…so if that’s important in a deadline acquisition, then PA is probably not for us. I’d be excited about picking him up, though.
I’d pass on Hemsky unless we’re offloading Havlat’s albatross in the deal (which will never happen…Havlat is untradable). No possible way do I want two severely injury prone players being counted on for big things in our lineup. Trading for Havlat was a mistake, IMO…and while Hemsky, when healthy, is probably far more useful to us than Havlat will ever be (sorry, really really not a Havlat fan at all), I’d still try and avoid the injury prone players.
I don’t see Whitney moving…I think Phoenix goes all in to make the playoffs, as it juices their local attendance and gets people interested in the team again…which is important for them these days.
But I think you’re right overall in your premise…I don’t see the Sharks getting truly in on a Nash bidding war, but it definitely could open up other possibilities for DW to pursue. And quite honestly, unless its Marleau going the other way, we really can’t afford Nash. His contract is pretty long with a damn high cap hit, and DW usually isn’t a fan of tying his hands that far into the future. And I especially don’t want Nash if it STARTS at Pavelski. Pavelski is a stud, has put up close to the point totals Nash has the last few years (yes, I understand the teams they play for…but still), dominates at faceoffs and on both sides of the ice…and costs half as much. I just don’t see the upside of such a move.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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I guess with so much cap space now
we didn’t really need to make the Havlat trade to re-sign Couture and Burns.
Still, Havlat has a reputation for playing his best hockey in the playoffs, and while I’m inclined to agree with you on the matter, I’m interested to see how he does when he comes back from injury.
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
I desperately hope he makes me eat my hat. Just like I desperately hope that Niemi somehow turns into a competent goaltender and wins us a Cup. That’s crow I’d love to eat. I just don’t expect it…
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 15, 2012 9:18 AM PST up reply actions
I honestly don’t see what else Niemi has to do to be considered a “competent goalie,” and he’s won one team a Cup (and ask Hawks fans if they’d prefer to have Crawford or Niemi right now). I am no Niemi apologist, but he’s no Cloutier, and his stats are not that of a bottom-tier goalie.
I think you’re moving the goalposts on Niemi to be disappointed in him.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I’ve always said I’d fully support him once he won us a Cup. That hasn’t changed.
I watch the games, and I see a goalie with glaring deficiencies. He might be the slowest goalie I’ve ever seen going post to post (it takes him two pushes across the crease most of the time). And if he ever ends up on his stomach trying to make a save or stop one of his rebounds, it takes him a good 20 seconds to recover. Its brutal to watch. Add in how often he’s off his line, and, well, I’ve just never been impressed.
And mostly, I’m appalled by the contract we signed him to…especially since he’ll be blocking more talented, younger, cheaper goalies in our system as soon as next season.
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 15, 2012 10:56 AM PST up reply actions
I’ve always said I’d fully support him once he won us a Cup. That hasn’t changed.
Oh, is that all he has to do? 8^)
He’s playing better, and more consistently, than more technically sound goalies like Cam Ward and Ryan Miller. I’ll take results over style all day, every day.
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
by ievans on Feb 15, 2012 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You made up your mind about Niemi the day Wilson signed him…and the fact you said
I’d fully support him once he won us a Cup.– I won’t bother talking to you about him.
However, you thinking he’s standing in the way of younger, more talented goaltenders couldn’t possibly be more wrong.
Stalock, who still doesn’t have feeling in part of leg, is at least a year away before he’ll be ready to compete for a spot in the NHL.
Sateri is at least two years away and Sexsmith, who I would bet won’t even be a Shark after this season, is likely to be an NHL backup when all is said and done.
So, who exactly is he in the way of?
by milanahalek on Feb 15, 2012 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
Sexsmith was considered the better prospect to Stalock before injuries hit him early in his career. Now that he’s healthy, he’s regained his form and looks awesome. Greiss is more than capable of putting up the same numbers as Niemi has been, at a fraction of the cost. That tandem for next year would both, IMO, be just as useful, if not moreso, than Niemi…and give us an extra 2 mil or so in cap space to improve the roster around them.
Stalock would be the next year down the line (he is a personal favorite of mine). And Sateri is organizational filler at this point, but still looks talented.
And, in my opinion, all of them have more natural talent than Niemi, All of them. They just need the chance to prove themselves at the NHL level. Something they’ll never get as long as Niemi and his nearly 4 MILLION dollar a year salary is on the books.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 15, 2012 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Prospects play (and rankings) change and Sexsmith is about 3rd on the list when it comes to a) upside and b) chances of making it to the NHL.
Not sure if you’ve watched all of these guys play regularly or not, but when it comes to potential, Sateri has the highest upside w/ Stalock right behind him. Stalock will be ready to make the jump to the NHL before Sateri though…I think those two are the goalies of the future.
Greiss will be competing w/ Niemi next year for the starters job and while you may think that Niemi’s contract is what will get him starts, coaches aren’t stupid. Greiss will have to win the starting the job but if he’s outplaying Niemi, they won’t play Niemi because he makes more money.
by milanahalek on Feb 15, 2012 12:02 PM PST up reply actions
If Niemi doesn’t have “natural talent” I’m fine with whatever talent he has, since he’s doing more than fine.
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He has no heart, hence he doesn't have the "Cup" mindset.
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by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
What a depressing lack of chlymidia
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
I’ve always tended to have the same type of opinion about Niemi,. Not so much that he needs to win SJ a cup, but I’ve yet to really see him steal a game for the Sharks.
I think he was so terrible at the start of last season because it took a while for the team to get used to cleaning up the garbage rebounds in front of him. His numbers are respectable now, but he’s still painful to watch.
He’ll come up with a couple big saves here and there, but never seems to outright steal a game. He always tends to give up a bad goal at the worst times.
If he could put up a consistent streak of games where he controls all his rebounds and doesn’t give up any terrible goals, he could have my support.
by mattcaffeine on Feb 15, 2012 3:45 PM PST up reply actions
If stealing games was so important I wish the Sharks had a weaker offense so it would happen more.
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
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There are plenty of losses this season that come to mind where a better goaltending effort would have made the difference.
by mattcaffeine on Feb 15, 2012 3:57 PM PST up reply actions
And that would be...
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 and Recap Specialist !!
Clearly that’s not what I meant.
He’s big, he’s slow, good down low, and isn’t much fun to watch. He’s adequate. I look forward to some of the prospects, Greiss included, giving him chase for the starting spot.
Fortunately the rest of the team has been putting together a pretty decent season.
by mattcaffeine on Feb 15, 2012 5:57 PM PST up reply actions
So part of the criteria for a better than adequate goalie is that they have to be fun to watch?
Niemi is adequate and only winning because of the team in front of him?? Yet, Greiss is good and it has nothing to do w/ the team in front of him?
He isn’t Lundqvist, Rinne, Thomas…he also isn’t paid like them. He’s an above average goaltender and that’s how he’s paid.
Handing this team over to the prospects or Greiss, if they make it into the playoffs, gets them a 1st round exit. It isn’t about being pretty or fun to watch – it’s about winning and Niemi wins games.
by milanahalek on Feb 15, 2012 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Fighting is fun to watch, though.
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by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 6:49 PM PST up reply actions
greiss would be fine in the playoffs
he doesn’t give up 5 a game.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Feb 15, 2012 6:57 PM PST up reply actions
Among active goalies with at least 100 GP, Niemi ranks 11th in career SV%. That’s definitely better than competent I’d say. He’s not the most elegant goaltender in the world but he gets the job done.
by The Neutral on Feb 15, 2012 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Nash (and sorry for the long post)
First I want to say that that anyone involved in the hockey operations in Columbus should be fired long before they trade Nash – that org is an absolute joke and I feel horrible for their fans. I can’t believe their management decided that trading him would make the team better and asked him to waive his NTC.
That said, it would at least be smart of them to wait until the offseason when the teams he is supposedly OK going to are more willing (and able) to move the pieces that Columbus would want as well as take on that contract.
Onto the Sharks…Whitney is my first choice on that list but I think Phoenix will stay in contention for a playoff spot and won’t be moving him.
The Islanders and Parenteau are said to be negotiating a new deal which would make sense as they have been doing a great job of locking up their players. But he’s a good player and he would fit in on this team very well.
I don’t really have any interest at all in Boyes, Ive never been a fan of him, but he’d be an upgrade I guess.
Hemsky is definitely an upgrade and if healthy would be a great fit, but since no one knows when (if) Havlat will be back and how he’ll be when he returns, Hemsky is another player that is a stiff wind away from another injury. I’d prefer someone who has a better track record of staying in the line up.
I think (hope) Wilson will end up trading for a player that hasn’t been in the “rumor mill” at all. The Minnesota 2nd and a D or goalie prospect should be enough to land a good 3rd line tweener….Brodziak anyone?
I agree on basically all fronts here. Unlikely Parenteau and Whitney get moved, and the situation in Columbus, which I saw up close for the past few years, is depressing. And while I’m not particularly fond of Boyes (ha ha), I could see him coming in and making an immediate impact (and then probably flopping in the playoffs). But at least he’d provide some scoring depth.
I’m very reluctant with Hemsky. Something just makes me question how he’d fit with the Sharks, especially with a somewhat similar player in Havlat hopefully coming back in the next month. However, I have envisioned for a while Hemsky ending up with either Detroit or Pittsburgh this year and absolutely flourishing, so I don’t know.
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by Timorous Me on Feb 15, 2012 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
The Brad Boyes Bail Bonds t-shirts would be big sellers.
by meetyourmako on Feb 15, 2012 4:10 PM PST up reply actions
That is, if they came with the matching rainbow wig.
by meetyourmako on Feb 15, 2012 4:10 PM PST up reply actions
If only ryan johansen was on Nashville’s trade block. He’s a good young right handed shooter.
by a408life on Feb 15, 2012 9:47 AM PST via mobile reply actions
could this happen?
Doug makes three deals this deadline.
Guastad, Moen, Doan
The sharks get 2 pk’ers & the sharks will get a RW that can play on the 2nd or 3rd line.
TMac could roll 4 lines and never have to worry about shortening the bench.
*plus I worry that Havlat won’t provide us with anything once he comes off IR.
Go Big or Go Home
I don't see any more than 1 winger added. Maybe 2, but the 2nd would just be some 4th liner.
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At most, I now see 1 more forward added.
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"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
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Hopefully the Sharks being included is just speculation. I really don’t want any part of Nash’s contract let alone what the Sharks would have to give up to get him.
I really think L.A. is the most likely destination; they have the pieces and they have the need. Plus, Nash and Mike Richards playing on the same NHL line would just about make Pierre McGuire’s head explode so there’s that added bonus.
I'm interested in buying a boat
But that doesn’t mean there’s a snowball’s chance in hell I’m gonna buy it before the boat show’s over.
I really hope Nash goes to Toronto.
The Leafs have become a Mecca for overrated, overpayed players.
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Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
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by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Folks - There is no way in hell we are getting Nash.
Forget the contract itself – look at the packages the other teams in the bidding can offer:
Bernier, Johnson, 1st or Dubinsky, Stepan, 1st, etc. (most likely those are overpayments that won’t happen but if a bidding war starts, that’s as high as it could go).
In order to compete with that, we’d have to, as Plank said, trade Pavs. F*** no! Forget Nash – I’d rather acquire Purcell, Moen, and Gaustad for roughly the equivalent salary while giving up much less. Compare the following lineups:
Marleau-Thornton-Nash
Clowe-Couture-Havlat
McGinn-Handzus-Mitchell
Winchester-Desjardins-Murray
Wingels
or
Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski
Clowe-Couture-Purcell
McGinn-Handzus-Moen
Winchester-Gaustad-Desjardins
Wingels
Yeah…that’s what I thought. Fuck Nash….someone else can go overpay for me. No thanks. Go Sharks.
Go Sharks!
Oops.
make that:
Patty-JT-Pavs
Clowe-Cooch-Purcell
McGinn-Handzus-Havlat
Winchester-Gaustad-Moen
Desjardins
Go Sharks!
Desjardins has been amazing this year. Keep Moen, I’ll take Desi on the 4th line any day.
Otherwise, I agree…
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." ~Vince Lombardi
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by ZeroIndulgence on Feb 15, 2012 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
BLEH! Typo too...can go overpay for him* and also...
those 3 salaries add up to being 1.5M less than Nash alone, so no way
Go Sharks!
Yeah…that’s what I thought. Fuck Nash….someone else can go overpay for me. No thanks. Go Sharks.
Yet you’re fine with vastly overpaying for Marleau? Nash is a younger, more complete player, who’s in his prime, much like Burns. I care about winning the Cup in the short term more than I do about Marleau retiring a Shark. Granted, I know it’s probably pipe dreams, because he has a say in whether he’d get traded or not. That said, I would ship a package featuring Marleau for Nash in a New York minute.
Say what you will about our young talent and the need to hold onto it for the sake of the future, but this team is built to win now, and considering how hypercompetent our GM is, I’m fine with shipping off a player such as Pavelski if it means filling a glaring whole on our team. As ZeroIndulgence said it in a convo, this team will likely never have to go into full rebuilding mode as long as Wilson is at the helm. I don’t care if Havlat plays his best hockey in the playoffs; this team as it currently exists is not going to win the Cup without an addition at the deadline. If not Nash, then one of the other players that’s been bandied about here. Mike Knuble is not the answer.
..:Fear The Fin:..
Twittaaaaaaahhh
How do you figure that Nash is a better player than Marleau?
by The Neutral on Feb 15, 2012 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Marleau is not vastly overpaid. He’s one of the best goal-scorers in the league, and his goal totals are similar to Nash. I don’t think Nash is a more complete player, either. Nash is a slightly younger, pre-injured Dany Heatley, basically. A hell of a player, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not the last piece of the puzzle.
Also, why would the Blue Jackets want Marleau?
Picklesnakebit since 2011.
@shampeon
I think the Nash sweepstakes are happening a year too early for Wilson's tastes.
We’d be back to 4 guys making $6.67 million or more for the next two years and he just got out from under that. If this was deadline 2013, I think he’d really go for it, since the three not named Nash on the roster would be coming off the books in a season.
If he does get in on it, expect to see Boyle shipped out during his NTC option period this July where he can name 8 teams like Heatley was.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
Of that list, Parenteau really jumps out at me.
He could come in and immediately start scoring as a 2nd line winger. However, with NYI surging up the standings and Ottawa, Toronto and Washington all beginning to falter, I think Garth Snow thinks the Islanders can steal 7th or 8th, which would ultimately be better for ticket sales than openly saying, “We’re still rebuilding, guys!”
I don’t know much about Hemsky, aside from what I saw in the ‘06 cup final… And I didn’t even know he was a top line guy. I thought he was 1st. But then, those were the days when Raffi Torres and Fernando Pisani was burgeoning stars. XD
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 11:29 AM PST reply actions
Raffi Torres was just a burgeoning piece of shit in those days.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
by Timorous Me on Feb 15, 2012 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
And Fernando Pisani had a burgeoning colon...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_b9tyzBA4s
"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
Keep an eye on Dominic Moore tomorrow
He’s near the top of my list in terms of 3rd line, penalty killing additions for the Sharks (who wouldn’t cost a ton). Of course any center would create a glut, along with Zeus and Desi—a big reason why we might be more likely to see a winger like Burish or Moen instead—but while Moore doesn’t have the size of a guy like Gaustad, he instead has very good speed and defensive acumen.
Winter. Time to eat fat and watch hockey. -- Margaret Atwood
Centers
The Sharks LOVE their centers!!! I’d have no problem moving Moore, Zus, Desi, to wing – I like Moore as well, he doesn’t produce as much as I’d like but he’d be a decent pick up.
by milanahalek on Feb 15, 2012 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
Psh
Having another center just means that when the first guy cheats on the faceoff the second guy is actually a center. A team should have at least 8 centers. Obviously.
Only 8?
We had 9 at the beginning of the season.
Jumbo, Pavs, Marleau, Couture, Wingels, Handzus, Mitchell, Desjardins, and Andrew Murray. I think if Doug Wilson could, he’d make a team with 12 centers.
that picture made me think of boyle all wrong
Waffles, Digimon, SETOGUCHI
STALOCK GET A ROBOT LEG OR SOMETHING AND COME BACK~WE NEED SOME LOCK STOCK STALOCK HERE!!
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Defense wins games, championships, and my heart, as in the case of Avery Bradley, Jr., Boston Celtics guard #0
by YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere on Feb 15, 2012 11:49 AM PST reply actions
Some interesting comments from Pierre LeBrun in a Q & A
Regarding if the Sharks are trying to improve:
My sources tell me GM Doug Wilson has worked the phones diligently looking for top-six F.He phoned Anaheim about Selanne, Phoenix about Whitney, not sure there’s a chance either one of those guys moves, however… Sharks trying to improve, that’s for sure
Regarding the Sharks trading for Nash and giving up what CBJ would want:
I agree the Sharks would be a long shot for the reasons you underlined, lack of the kind of assets the Jackets would want, plus a tough contract to absorb… but I can tell you the Sharks certainly like the player in question
Really Pierre? The Sharks like Rick Nash? Never would have guessed that
by footballfan2577 on Feb 15, 2012 2:50 PM PST up reply actions
Don't hate on LeBrun yo
he is one of the most reliable sources out there in my opinion…i trust him at least. :)
Go Sharks!
Whitney's playmaking and scoring on our second line
Sounds delightful!
I look at our roster
And it definitely looks 1 or 2 players short of a Cup, but it also looks like a roster that can’t afford to lose too much.
We need a top 6 forward… But we’d have to part with Pavelski or Couture to even get in the conversation. We need a penalty killer, but who exactly on the lower lines is expendable and doesn’t make it such a lateral move? We need another defenseman, but who will take Colin White off our hands, and why would we give up on Braun or Demers?
And there’s still a TON of question marks for us: What will Havlat be like when he returns? Can Demers rediscover his game? Will Benn Ferriero be consistent enough to stick and contribute? Will Andrew Murray make it back up? Who the heck is James Shepherd?
I think we made our bed at the start of the season. All the pieces are there, and I just don’t see the trade out there that fixes anything that’s broken. At least not at the deadline. I see offseason moves for sure, but not so much at the deadline. And there will be far more interesting names in play in the offseason.
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 Feb 15, 2012 2:53 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
Trades
There are players that can be had for picks and / or prospects…here’s an example (and not that I think these players are the best fits).
Hemsky for 1st + Ferriero/Mitchell or McCarthy or a D prospect if that what they want
Gaustad for the #55 pick or a 2013 3rd + Sexsmith (they are very short on goalie prospects)
Marleau/Thornton/Pavs
Clowe/Couture/Hemsky
McGinn/Zus/Havlat
Winchester/Desi/Gaustad (Gaustad & Zus can switch places if need be)
I think their D is fine so I’m gonna skip that one.
They don’t have to move a (needed) roster player in a trade if they don’t want to.
I would be down with that line-up
I would probably prefer someone a little less injury-prone and thus cheaper than Hemsky, but that line-up looks good to me :)
Purcell anyone instead of Hemsky for that 2nd line?
Go Sharks!
I cant believe I'm gonna say this
Congrats to TCY for being able to snort Nash Levitra for a few more weeks. If this goes through, I will never live this down.
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Feb 15, 2012 2:57 PM PST reply actions
I can totally see wilson pulling nash off without moving pavs somehow
i dont see how but wilson is magic
Sometimes you just have to look death in the face and say whatever man
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by operation carrot on Feb 15, 2012 3:21 PM PST reply actions
do the sharks really need a penalty killer or just another goal scorer?
by a408life on Feb 15, 2012 3:27 PM PST via Android app reply actions
If we're replacing Mitchell
we need another penalty killer. He doesn’t do heavy minutes short-handed, but someone needs to be able to replace what he does do.
The only way I see Nash coming to San Jose is if somebody writes a " Why Rick Nash being traded to San Jose is impossible" post. Hey, it worked with both Heatley and Niemi!
Leslie Knope: "...but it has a lot of heart."
April Ludgate: "That's what people always say when something sucks."
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by idunno723 on Feb 15, 2012 3:29 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
Steven Stamkos will never be traded to San Jose.
Because (insert hockey logic here).
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
There's no way we'd get Malkin though.
Russian players don’t play with any heart or tenacity, and they completely disregard the magic of friendship. That’s not the kind of player that wins you the cup.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 6:50 PM PST up reply actions
He's right you know.
Igor Larionov had to come to San Jose to learn to use the power of love that was inside him before he could win the cup three times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFaXTcR4dtE
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 8:06 PM PST up reply actions
I think we should trade for Joffrey Lupul
That way, we get Pronger in two seasons.
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.
Pronger in two years? Ew.
If all sports fandom is a form of emotional gambling, football is poker and hockey is Russian roulette.
I don’t even know if Pronger will be playing hockey in two years.
by WhatsAMataHari on Feb 15, 2012 6:15 PM PST up reply actions
I really don't want Nash
Mostly because I love Joe Pavelski too much.
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
mymclife for first line winger.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 6:51 PM PST up reply actions
I’ll have you know that I actually am a first line winger on my hockey team, so there!
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
Beer leagues FTW!
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 16, 2012 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
nashterbation?
I like my goals like I like my booze..... Top shelf.
by GhostOfLinkGaetz on Feb 15, 2012 6:58 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
As an outsider, I'd just wanna say I think Pavelski is a better overall hockey player then Nash.
Sure, Nash can score goals and put up points against tough competition, but Pavelski is just good at everything and can put up points against tough competition. I think he’s a vastly underrated player, as a 2-way forward he’s top notch. If given the choice of Pavelski or Nash, I’d take Pavelski in all honesty.
What do you mean they won 4 cups in a row? Is that possible?
"John Tavares(a top 10 forward in the NHL)"-Neil Greenberg
by OzzyFan on Feb 15, 2012 7:35 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
This.
Once upon a time, Nash was an elite player. That was like, 5 years ago. Someone robbed him of his chlamydia since then,
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 15, 2012 8:08 PM PST up reply actions
Allright I gotta know
I missed the boat on the whole chlamydia thing – can someone enlighten me?
GO SHARKS!
Intangibles
When people refer to the intangible known as “heart” we’re replacing it with “chlamydia” to show how ridiculous something like that is.
Pavelski is the best
plus he is american!
Haters Gonna Hate
by Wreckonized on Feb 15, 2012 10:02 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I like Hemsky and his stock has fallen in Edmonton for no good reason really but his injury history makes him risky, especially while Havlat is out. Whitney would be awesome but I don’t think the Coyotes will be selling. Parenteau and Knuble would both be good pickups in my opinion, if they could be had.
Lol!
Now watch him go out and land Nash for Niittymaki and a third.
Joe Pavelski: When it absolutely, positively has to be won in Overtime.
Great article, but what you didn't cover in this article
Lets just say that the Sharks land one of those key five or six players that you mentioned. Would they be good enough to beat an LA team who happens to land Rick Nash?
Easily.
Nash isn’t Stamkos… He’s more like a Marleau or an E. Kane.
The artist formerly know as *"Sharks_Fan_In_Toronto"*
Official theme song of the San Jose Sharks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn9_EQ2ykyo
by Evil Stanchion on Feb 16, 2012 2:16 PM PST up reply actions
Hemsky!!
I don’t believe DW will run the risk of going into the playoff while having two injury prone players in two key positions.
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