The Sharks of Now
Posted 4:31 AM ET | Comments 3
With the season still a few months away a lot can change from now until opening night. But I do not foresee many changes for the Sharks. We must add a depth defenceman on a budget friendly contract someone like David Schlemko to fill out out bottom pairing. Now that that is out the way time to review our off season moves.
Peter DeBoer the new bench boss B
I like this appointment. I do not think there were many better coaches out there maybe besides for Dan Bylsma. I feel De Boer can come into the bench and take charge of the players he has at its disposal. I do not think Jumbo and Patty are hard players to coach. But there needed to be a strong personality to keep them in check and to get the best out of them. He is a knowledgeable coach with a Stanley Cup Final to his name. It was time for a change and only time will tell if the appointment is the right one.
Finally moving on from Niemi A
The longer it went without a confirmation from Doug Wilson the more nervous and angry I got. I thought we were going to try and persevere with him. It was time to move on and I am really happy we did. Niemi is a above average goaltender at best and bottom line he was not going to take us to our first Stanley Cup. Time to move on. The problem is and was and still is there were not many free agents available worthy to start. Neither were they many trade options available besides maybe Jonathan Bernier.
NHL Draft Switzerland goes No 1. again. B
I am not going to talk about anyone other than our top two picks. Timo Meier and Jeremy Roy. Timo Meier a Swiss Power Forward was an interesting choice. He put up great numbers which could be said to be inflated playing on Nikolaj Ehlers line in Halifax. The Sharks also passed on more skilled forwards like Pavel Zacha and Matthew Barzal. Meier put up 90 point in 61 games which is really good for a 18 year old. The jury is out on Timo. My opinion he could slot in on Couture's line in the future and be very effective there. I am happy with the choice.
Jeremy Roy was expected to go late in the first round. The fact that we picked him up with the first pick in the second round should make Sharks fans happy. Roy has a big upside to his game who could develop into a very reliable Top Four defenceman. He played for the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the Q in his draft year. He accumulated 43 points in 46 games. Very solid numbers for a defenceman who fell into the second round.
Paul Martin is a Shark B+
Great move in my opinion. Assuming he plays on the second pairing with Burnzie they will bring the best out of each other. Burnzie needed a stay at home defenceman to complement his offensive skills. His irresponsibility in his own end cost the Sharks dearly last season. That is not the only aspect Martin bring to the Sharks. He is a capable Puck Mover and can play on the power play if necessary. He is an obvious candidate for the Short Handed Unit and is a lock to play on the first short handed unit. Martin also can log big minutes if necessary. He also brings huge experience to an inexperienced blue line. The only downside he is 34 and is bound to endure some kind of decline. All in all a good move.
Trade for Martin Jones D
HE is far from a proven starting goalie at NHL Level. We also had to give up a first rounder for him which is a lot for a goaltender of his calibre. But saying that there was not many other options out there, Saying that Boston got a really good deal for him. This is a huge risk on behalf of the Sharks. But what other choice do we have. Many people feel Jones will be the undisputed number one goaltender next season. I do not share this opinion. At least for the start. Jones and Stalock will share the golatender responsibilities with maybe Jones playing a handful of games more. I feel this is the best way to get the best out of our Goaltender situation
Joel Ward for top line duties? B
Another veteran the Sharks have added through free agency. Ward brings lots of experience and true grit to a team who lacked it last season. He is also a very capable scorer who is capable of putting 40-50 points and contributing in a big way. He puts on the hits and will not back down from a fight. I have also watched the EPIX show that looked at Washington Capitals and their road to the Winter Classic and Ward looks like a really good personality in the dressing room. He could play anywhere across the four lines but I expect him to play third line as Tierney as his centre. However you cannot rule out him playing on The Joe Line with Pavs and Jumbo.
Timo gets an entry level deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D
I did not really understand this move. I do not foresee Meier making the team out of camp and I do not expect him to play at all at any stage this season for the Sharks. However if Wilson and DeBoer did decide to play him his size and grit can give him a chance playing on San Jose's checking line. I do not feel he is NHL ready just yet but Wilson and DeBoer might think otherwise.
Worcester moves West and becomes the Barracuda A++
The San Jose Barracuda has a nice ring to it hey. This is a great move for the franchise. Having their farm team half way across the country was a lose lose situation for San Jose and Worcester. Players having to travel miles and miles to get from one place to another is not ideal for any sportsman let alone a hockey player. Coaches also could never watch games in Worcester so it was impossible for coaches to get a first hand account of the players in the farm system. Moving the farm team to San Jose solves all these problems. Players are now more settled and just need to worry about playing hockey. The Barracuda also are sharing to the Shark Tank with San Jose which will bring in more revenue the franchise would have been getting in Worcester.
Line Predictions out of Camp
Hertl – Jumbo – Pavs
Nieto – Couture – Wingels
Marleau – Tierney – Ward
Karlsson – Goodrow – Smith
Vlasic – Braun
Burns – Martin
Dillon – Tennyson (Hopefully a new signing)
Thanks for Reading Guys
Peter DeBoer the new bench boss B
I like this appointment. I do not think there were many better coaches out there maybe besides for Dan Bylsma. I feel De Boer can come into the bench and take charge of the players he has at its disposal. I do not think Jumbo and Patty are hard players to coach. But there needed to be a strong personality to keep them in check and to get the best out of them. He is a knowledgeable coach with a Stanley Cup Final to his name. It was time for a change and only time will tell if the appointment is the right one.
Finally moving on from Niemi A
The longer it went without a confirmation from Doug Wilson the more nervous and angry I got. I thought we were going to try and persevere with him. It was time to move on and I am really happy we did. Niemi is a above average goaltender at best and bottom line he was not going to take us to our first Stanley Cup. Time to move on. The problem is and was and still is there were not many free agents available worthy to start. Neither were they many trade options available besides maybe Jonathan Bernier.
NHL Draft Switzerland goes No 1. again. B
I am not going to talk about anyone other than our top two picks. Timo Meier and Jeremy Roy. Timo Meier a Swiss Power Forward was an interesting choice. He put up great numbers which could be said to be inflated playing on Nikolaj Ehlers line in Halifax. The Sharks also passed on more skilled forwards like Pavel Zacha and Matthew Barzal. Meier put up 90 point in 61 games which is really good for a 18 year old. The jury is out on Timo. My opinion he could slot in on Couture's line in the future and be very effective there. I am happy with the choice.
Jeremy Roy was expected to go late in the first round. The fact that we picked him up with the first pick in the second round should make Sharks fans happy. Roy has a big upside to his game who could develop into a very reliable Top Four defenceman. He played for the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the Q in his draft year. He accumulated 43 points in 46 games. Very solid numbers for a defenceman who fell into the second round.
Paul Martin is a Shark B+
Great move in my opinion. Assuming he plays on the second pairing with Burnzie they will bring the best out of each other. Burnzie needed a stay at home defenceman to complement his offensive skills. His irresponsibility in his own end cost the Sharks dearly last season. That is not the only aspect Martin bring to the Sharks. He is a capable Puck Mover and can play on the power play if necessary. He is an obvious candidate for the Short Handed Unit and is a lock to play on the first short handed unit. Martin also can log big minutes if necessary. He also brings huge experience to an inexperienced blue line. The only downside he is 34 and is bound to endure some kind of decline. All in all a good move.
Trade for Martin Jones D
HE is far from a proven starting goalie at NHL Level. We also had to give up a first rounder for him which is a lot for a goaltender of his calibre. But saying that there was not many other options out there, Saying that Boston got a really good deal for him. This is a huge risk on behalf of the Sharks. But what other choice do we have. Many people feel Jones will be the undisputed number one goaltender next season. I do not share this opinion. At least for the start. Jones and Stalock will share the golatender responsibilities with maybe Jones playing a handful of games more. I feel this is the best way to get the best out of our Goaltender situation
Joel Ward for top line duties? B
Another veteran the Sharks have added through free agency. Ward brings lots of experience and true grit to a team who lacked it last season. He is also a very capable scorer who is capable of putting 40-50 points and contributing in a big way. He puts on the hits and will not back down from a fight. I have also watched the EPIX show that looked at Washington Capitals and their road to the Winter Classic and Ward looks like a really good personality in the dressing room. He could play anywhere across the four lines but I expect him to play third line as Tierney as his centre. However you cannot rule out him playing on The Joe Line with Pavs and Jumbo.
Timo gets an entry level deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D
I did not really understand this move. I do not foresee Meier making the team out of camp and I do not expect him to play at all at any stage this season for the Sharks. However if Wilson and DeBoer did decide to play him his size and grit can give him a chance playing on San Jose's checking line. I do not feel he is NHL ready just yet but Wilson and DeBoer might think otherwise.
Worcester moves West and becomes the Barracuda A++
The San Jose Barracuda has a nice ring to it hey. This is a great move for the franchise. Having their farm team half way across the country was a lose lose situation for San Jose and Worcester. Players having to travel miles and miles to get from one place to another is not ideal for any sportsman let alone a hockey player. Coaches also could never watch games in Worcester so it was impossible for coaches to get a first hand account of the players in the farm system. Moving the farm team to San Jose solves all these problems. Players are now more settled and just need to worry about playing hockey. The Barracuda also are sharing to the Shark Tank with San Jose which will bring in more revenue the franchise would have been getting in Worcester.
Line Predictions out of Camp
Hertl – Jumbo – Pavs
Nieto – Couture – Wingels
Marleau – Tierney – Ward
Karlsson – Goodrow – Smith
Vlasic – Braun
Burns – Martin
Dillon – Tennyson (Hopefully a new signing)
Thanks for Reading Guys
The acquisition of Paul Martin is my favorite move. I have always thought of him as a responsible, well-rounded defenseman.
Zacha was not available