Fight to Win: How the Sharks can man up and go for the 'W'

Tommy K

Contributor Written on June 30, 2009

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MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 27: William Wrenn of the San Jose Sharks greets members of the front office after being drafted by the Sharks in the second round during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 27, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

I remember a distinct event not long ago but before the Sharks chocked
so gloriously once again. They had been preseason favorites to win the
Pacific and Stanley Cup, with former farmhand's like Devin Setoguchi and
free agent additions like bruiser Jody Shelley, they had reason to be excited.
By the end of the regular season, the result was a franchise best record and number one seed in the West against the hated Ducks of Disneyland.

Back to the story, A customer came into my bar explaining how he planned on selling his first round of his sharks season tickets because "this was the year they were going to win the cup," everyone proclaimed.

Unfortunately, the result was a brutal first round upset and outrage
from the rabid fanbase. It was a wake up call that this team needs to get
physical on the blueline and add another proven scorer. I believe the the
future is bright with the right personal upgrades this offseason.

'Jaws' comes to the Bay (2009 Draft review)

OSHAWA, ON - JANUARY 14: Taylor Doherty #4 of Team Cherry skates in the 2009 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team Orr on Wednesday January 14, 2009 at the General Motors Centre in Oshawa, Ontario. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 6-1. (Phot

In a 2009 Draft headlined by star power (Tavares) and lock down defense,
(Headman), San Jose opted to used their two second round picks on defensemen who add toughness and potential.

William Wrenn is a traditional defensemen who plays a "steady game" and
Taylor Doherty is a Chara-Esq defensemen at 6'7 220 lbs who is an
absolute 'beauty' and brawler. His offense game is lacking and is a project
but his game should translate longterm.

Free Agency

CHICAGO - APRIL 16: The Chicago Blackhawks mob Martin Havlat #24 after Havlat scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames during Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2009 Stanley

This free agency has some serious star power for any team able to take
on contracts. The names available include some established snipers such
as Marian Gaborik, Martin Havlat, and Marion Hossa. The Sharks are in a
good position to add salary because they signed deals with Thornton and
Marleau pale in comparison to deals signed by Lecavalier and Briere most recently.
Nothing is certian as Marleau is perpetually on the trading block, for the right price. Conversely, If Jay Bouwmeester fails to sign or Tomas Kaberle is available for the right price, you have to expect Doug Wilson to be proactive.

Young Players on the Rise

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 25: Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks is mobbed by Joe Thornton #19, Christian Ernhoff #10 Douglas Murray #3, and Devin Setoguchi #16 after Marleau scored the game winning goal in overtime as Corey Perry #10 of the Anaheim D

With the steadied improvement of young players like Setoguchi, Vlasic,
Mitchell, Pavelski and Michalek the Sharks should be a better team for
certain next year. In addition, top prospects like Logan Couture , C, (9th,
2007) and Nick Petricki , D, (28th, 2007) have a shot at joining the club at
some point. I remain optimistic about improving over the next couple months
and solidifying a better club for next year.

Begin Slideshow

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written on June 30, 2009 Opinion

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