I'll add that I like players, but I love my team. Thornton is my favorite player of the bunch (and up until a couple seasons ago, my favorite player in the league) and has been since his arrival, but I am reaching a point where the Sharks' future rests on correctly maneuvering through this changing of the eras.
With each loss and minute of boring hockey, I grow more ready to just move the major pieces and start the re-tool. There are still plenty of pieces here that with picks and prospects can make it entertaining to watch them fight to make the playoffs for two to three years before becoming a serious contender again.
It'll hurt at first to see some of the names in a different jersey, but until that happens, this process cannot start. It's like breaking up with a serious significant other when a relationship just won't work. That person is all you have known for some time, but in time you will know it was for the better.
If the Sharks don't go into full on rebuild and with their draft history, then DW (or whatever GM) needs to go after teams likely to have high draft picks. That means trades have to be made with those teams. Do they have an interest in any parts from the Sharks? If the Sharks want only a mini-rebuild, then they need to make those high value trades for picks. Recently, the teams in the high pick position have been extremely reluctant to trade their first rounders, moreso than in the past. A very fine line. If DW tries to go mini and fails, it is Toronto/St. Louis all over again. Neither of those two teams fully tanked.
Well, the difference is that St. Louis had great scouting. Getting Berglund, Oshie, Backes, Perron, and Pietrangelo was no mistake. They don't draft no Tyler Biggs.
Well, the difference is that St. Louis had great scouting. Getting Berglund, Oshie, Backes, Perron, and Pietrangelo was no mistake. They don't draft no Tyler Biggs.
"5. The biggest concern about Clowe is not that he hasn't scored this season. It's if he's more injured than we realize. The winger left Saturday's loss to Los Angeles with a shoulder injury -- which may have confirmed potential suitors' fears. They're nervous about it.
6. The Sharks are in a tough spot. Other GMs say Doug Wilson, who is a big-time tire-kicker, is difficult to pin down. Sometimes he wants to re-shape his group (but don't even ask about Logan Couture), other times he's more conservative. Here's why: they've missed the playoffs once in 14 seasons. That resulted in 3,000 fewer season-ticket renewals, something they have never forgotten. It can really spook a franchise. "
6. The Sharks are in a tough spot. Other GMs say Doug Wilson, who is a big-time tire-kicker, is difficult to pin down. Sometimes he wants to re-shape his group (but don't even ask about Logan Couture), other times he's more conservative. Here's why: they've missed the playoffs once in 14 seasons. That resulted in 3,000 fewer season-ticket renewals, something they have never forgotten. It can really spook a franchise. "
Interesting how even to other GM's DW's poker face is outstanding.
Yeah I know, it would have to be worked in the offseason and potentially center around Boyle rather than Clowe. I know FLA needs the defense but they are also struggling offensively so it would effectively gut their team :/ I only bring them up because they're my favorite team in the east
