Melrose didn't even pick us to win our division. He hates us now. YES!!!
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Melrose picked us the last two years and we made it to the conference finals. Coincidence? I think not. When he kept picking us, we kept getting bounced in the first or mostly the second round.
What is it with people and the Hawks? I just don't see it.
I know right?!
It's one thing if a team adds capable players through free agency or trades, then you can say, okay they filled up this hole or that hole. But all they did was add Andrew Brunette and Olesz, a decent 38 year old second liner and a young player who hasn't lived up to expectations.
It's one thing if a team adds capable players through free agency or trades, then you can say, okay they filled up this hole or that hole. But all they did was add Andrew Brunette and Olesz, a decent 38 year old second liner and a young player who hasn't lived up to expectations.
And in the process, got rid of a defensman who played 26 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Oh Melrose. Washington isn't going anywhere as long as Boudreau is coach.
Edit: On top of that, how do half of them have so much confidence in Pittsburgh right now. None of us have any idea if/when/how Crosby comes back and how effective he is.
Interesting that the only one of these people who bothered to come look at the Sharks, LeBrun, picks them to win it.
LeBrun picked them last year too. When he came to visit, he interviewed Clowe and told him he's picking them to win it all this year and Clowe promised him he'll be right this year.
I wanted to smack him in the face so hard last year when he so smugly picked the Canucks to win it all. Depth at the blue line, the Sedins, Kesler, Roberto Luongo. Just him saying Roberto Luongo made me want to throw my computer out the window.
I wanted to smack him in the face so hard last year when he so smugly picked the Canucks to win it all. Depth at the blue line, the Sedins, Kesler, Roberto Luongo. Just him saying Roberto Luongo made me want to throw my computer out the window.
They did come a game of winning it... although the curse of Barry Melrose lives on since they lost in such a terrible fashion.
"I'm just trying to be as consistent as I can be, night in and night out," said Couture. "The best players in the world are consistent. They're playing their best every night. That's something I believe I have to work on. There were times when I was a good player some nights, and other times when I didn't do anything. That's something I'm really focused on this year."
""You do as much homework as you possibly can on players before you sign them. You're pleased when you hear positive things, but you also try to dig for some negative stuff so you know what you're dealing with," McLellan said. "I couldn't find anything on this guy. What I heard was that he was a great teammate, he was fit, he knew his role and knew how to play it. He gives us more size through the middle, a big net presence on the power play if we choose to use him there and he brings some experience. We're excited to have him.""
"No matter what you accomplish, it's a fresh start," Wilson said. "And yeah, we're aggressive. We have players and coaches who work their butts off and they want to know they've got a chance to win. Other teams are improving. Just because you had a very good year, we're not satisfied because it wasn't the ultimate. … We have high expectations and we will not apologize for that."
We will not apologize - I love this quote. DW is the FN man!!!
Actually, that was the best preview I've read of the Sharks so far. ESPN really did their homework here, and they were pretty much spot on in all points (except that bit about the Wine Country ). On top of that we had the most votes as Cup winner from their "experts" (3 of 8), ANDDD Melrose went a different direction. All and all, pretty big vote of confidence from the people in Bristol.
"I'm just trying to be as consistent as I can be, night in and night out," said Couture. "The best players in the world are consistent. They're playing their best every night. That's something I believe I have to work on. There were times when I was a good player some nights, and other times when I didn't do anything. That's something I'm really focused on this year."
Actually, that was the best preview I've read of the Sharks so far. ESPN really did their homework here, and they were pretty much spot on in all points (except that bit about the Wine Country ).
they've gotta fill their time with something since there is no bball.
I think it's a very good article! Finally getting actual confirmation on Thornton's surgery is nice. Still wondering if Clowe's was surgically repaired too.
LeBrun is the ONLY guy from all of the "hockey" websites (NHL, ESPN, the Hockey News, TSN, etc.) that actually bothers to takes the time to learn about the Sharks instead of just spitting out all of the rhetoric that the other writers use.
What I find interesting is how many people are picking the Ducks to either make it to the SCF or win it all.
The group at ESPN seem to be the only one's who think the Sharks will even win their division this season - quite a few 'pundits' have them finishing 3rd in the division.
I do get the LA hype, but the Ducks are still a 1 line (even if it might be the best line in the league) team w/ an elite goalie - that can only get you so far.
One of Todds saying when he first came over from Detroit was "do it or dont, you will or you wont". I have a feeling Juicy will do it.
Also, the NHL Preview of the Pacific Division was on NHL Network for the first time last night. The Sharks opened the show and the analysis was good and on point for the most part. The show takes a dive after they preview the Sharks and Kings.
). On top of that we had the most votes as Cup winner from their "experts" (3 of 8), ANDDD Melrose went a different direction. All and all, pretty big vote of confidence from the people in Bristol.
