Supposing that the sharks dont make any other trades.. I dont see them being the powerhouse that they were for the last couple seasons.. honestly their defence is now pretty awful, with that said.. Do you think that ducks can now win the pacific Division..
My personal opinion is yes i think we can.. theres not much standing in our way, our offence is abov avg, our defence is avg, if the youngsters play well we'll be abov avg, and our goaltendin i think its abov avg
Obviously, there is also a team like dallas which I think will play well this year, but i think with our roster and the way we finished, we can win the division
haha, one word answer, from a sharks fan none the less!!
really we have to see what happens out of camp and at the start of the season, our D pairings could gel really well and we've got one of best top 6 in the league. We don't have to have all star D-men,many teams do ok without. wiz and whitney are likely future all stars anyway! they have a lot to prove this season.
I would say though even with the trades San Jose are strong, both teams are pretty similar, stacked up front, lighter in the back end with pretty solid goaltending. Is definitely a 2 horse race between sharks and ducks for the title, i think anyway
One has to question Doug Wilsons moves at this point. Why would one sign Huskins for 1.7 and Blake for 3.5 if it leads to having to dump Ehrhoff (better than Blake) and Lukowich (better than Huskins) to gain cap space. Seems really bizarre.
They've lost Ehrhoff, Lukowich, Grier, Moen, Roenick, Goc etc. and replaced them with Jed Ortmeyer and Scott Nichol.
Edit. As it has been proven Murray takes his cues from here, i'll just think out loud that this trade and the ensuing glut of defensemen in Vancouver might make SOB available...
That trade made us more likely to win the division, that's for sure.
Last edited by Talentless Practise*: 08-28-2009 at 06:14 PM.
One has to question Doug Wilsons moves at this point. Why would one sign Huskins for 1.7 and Blake for 3.5 if it leads to having to dump Ehrhoff (better than Blake) and Lukowich (better than Huskins) to gain cap space. Seems really bizarre.
They've lost Ehrhoff, Lukowich, Grier, Moen, Roenick, Goc etc. and replaced them with Jed Ortmeyer and Scott Nichol.
Sounds good to us ducks fans. I don't really question him at all
One has to question Doug Wilsons moves at this point. Why would one sign Huskins for 1.7 and Blake for 3.5 if it leads to having to dump Ehrhoff (better than Blake) and Lukowich (better than Huskins) to gain cap space. Seems really bizarre.
Blake is 90 years old, a UFA they just signed (or extended, whatever). Not a tradeable commodity. Besides which, I thought he was far more effective than Ehrhoff in the playoffs. The Sharks problem on D isn't producing points, anyway. They need guys who won't have the occasional huge meltdowns, and can maybe hit the net once in a while. Transition, puck movement, they have. I think San Jose is well rid of him.
I think the Sharks are in for a let down season after last season's dibacle, stripping Thornton/Marleau of C/A, after losing a lot of talent in offseason.
Before this trade I thought we had a chance of winning the division (injuries withstanding). If Koivu/Selanne line pans out, we'll have a formidable offense and questionable defense.
Still 1-20, I don't like anyone more than the ducks in the division.
With the exceptions of Ehrhoff the Sharks didn't lose that many critical pieces. They still have an above-average defense, excellent starting goalie and terrific weapons. Yes they had a big let down in the playoffs but that was six games. They were still the best team during the regular season and I don't see why they won't be again. They underestimated their opponent in the playoffs and paid for it. In my opinion they lost to the second best team in the West last April, they just happened to have a record that seemed otherwise. Plus a bigger move is coming. Be it Heatley or someone else but Wilson isn't about to clear that kind of space to make room for a rookie or two. Something big is coming San Jose's way and it'll make them stronger.
Having said that I think we have a great shot as long as we're healthy. I'd put our top-6 up and goaltending up against anybody. Our defense may not be quite as good minus Pronger but it'll still be plenty solid. My money is San Jose wins the division again but we'll give them hell all the way to the end. But I like our chances better in the playoffs.
I think we have a shot but San Jose are still the favorites. The Sharks bottom 6 is pretty weak though and their D isn't much better than ours anymore.
With the exceptions of Ehrhoff the Sharks didn't lose that many critical pieces. They still have an above-average defense, excellent starting goalie and terrific weapons. Yes they had a big let down in the playoffs but that was six games. They were still the best team during the regular season and I don't see why they won't be again. They underestimated their opponent in the playoffs and paid for it. In my opinion they lost to the second best team in the West last April, they just happened to have a record that seemed otherwise. Plus a bigger move is coming. Be it Heatley or someone else but Wilson isn't about to clear that kind of space to make room for a rookie or two. Something big is coming San Jose's way and it'll make them stronger.
Having said that I think we have a great shot as long as we're healthy. I'd put our top-6 up and goaltending up against anybody. Our defense may not be quite as good minus Pronger but it'll still be plenty solid. My money is San Jose wins the division again but we'll give them hell all the way to the end. But I like our chances better in the playoffs.
Didn't the Sharks need to clear quite a bit of cap space to get under the cap? It seemed like many people were under the impression the Sharks had to dump salary somewhere just to be able to fill out their roster.
I agree that I think the Sharks aren't done. Something big may happen in San Jose, but the salary going back will be pretty similar to the one coming back.
If these things happen, the Ducks win the division:
-No sophomore slump for Ryan
-Great chemistry between Selanne and Koivu
-Sbisa steps into a top 4 role
-Bounce back season from JSG or breakout season from Hiller
-Of course good seasons from Lupul, Getzlaf and Perry
We need Brookbank and Boynton to be physical forces this season to at least somewhat replace losing Pronger. Doubt it happens but the extra goals scored should help a little. I predict 2nd in the pacific and 4-7 overall in the west.
We need Brookbank and Boynton to be physical forces this season to at least somewhat replace losing Pronger. Doubt it happens but the extra goals scored should help a little. I predict 2nd in the pacific and 4-7 overall in the west.
True. Wiz is the only top four defender we have that brings a solid physical game. I know Sbisa likes to hit, but he seems more like a Kronwall type of hitter.
True. Wiz is the only top four defender we have that brings a solid physical game. I know Sbisa likes to hit, but he seems more like a Kronwall type of hitter.
You mean the elbow-throwing, dirty-type of hitter? Then he'll fit in just fine.
I don't care how tough our D is as long as they keep the puck out of our zone and into the hands of our forwards.
